Picture: Identikit of two unknown suspects/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Two unknown men aged 26 and 35 allegedly robbed a local café of cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash at gunpoint in Kimberley. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said the suspects allegedly threatened and ordered the shop assistants lay on the ground at the back of the store.
“They fled the scene in a maroon motor vehicle with no registration number. Anyone who has information regarding the incident is requested to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer, Segoje of Kimberley Detective on 071 208 3094,” said Gopane.
A child aged 5 died in a fierce fire in Khibitswane village, near Taung on Saturday. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, said two women were sleeping with the child during load shedding at around 8:25pm. The house caught fire when electricity allegedly returned.
“When electricity came back, the fire started. It is unknown at this point what caused the fire. A case of arson and an inquest is underway. No foul play is suspected thus far.”
Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi said much of R3.8 billion budget for 2023/24 financial year investment will be focused on roads. Molapisi said the department has appointed 37 contractors for projects across all four districts of the province.
“This publication comes at a time when we have just tabled our budget speech for the North West Department of Public Works and Roads for 2023/2024 before the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). As you may be aware, the department has set aside about R3.8 billion for the province, and much of the investment will be focused on roads.
“We have come a long way as a province and have made steady progress towards improving service delivery for our people. In his State of the Province Address (SOPA), North West Premier, Bushy Maape said the provincial government is on its feet, restless and listening attentively to the cries of our people, who are delivering messages of impatience, requesting us to deliver on our promise,” he said.
Molapisi further said they are on the verge of finalising the establishment of the Roads Agency for the province, with a view to implementing its Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) projects. He added that, the agency will augment the department’s internal capacity and assist in fast-tracking service delivery of the planned major road infrastructure within the allocated time and budget.
“We are happy to announce that, SANRAL will implement 33 projects to the value of R1.6 billion, covering approximately 2.598km of road network across all four districts. We look forward to a growing relationship that will continue to benefit the province, the country and our people.
“24 of these are for the major rehabilitation and special maintenance, while 13 are for upgrading from gravel to tar. In addition, a total of 1063 jobs have been created and 272 SMMEs have been sub-contracted on all projects currently under construction,” said Molapisi.
He said, furthermore, the department will be appointing 10 consultants for the planning and design for planned upgrades of 10 roads from gravel to surface by the end of the second quarter. Molapisi said they continue to enjoy the support of and partnership with SANRAL to deliver world-class infrastructure for our people.
SANRAL CEO, Reginald Demana said: “Our mission to transform the national roads infrastructure in South Africa is at full steam, particularly for a province like the North West, which is at the epicentre of the mining and agricultural activity driving our economy.
“We intend to put major investment into key routes. Some of our key infrastructure in the province includes the N4, which stretches from the Botswana border post, through Pretoria to the Maputo Port in Mozambique. We also have N18 from Ramatlabama Border Post, which is a gateway to Botswana, also stretching across the province to Gauteng.”
Demana said they have earmarked several key infrastructure developments in the province, like the rehabilitation of the sinkhole on national route N12 in the Stilfontein urban area between 11.6km (Buffelfontein Road) and 12.6km in Wintervogel road. He said they have set aside R55 million for the project over six months and are glad to announce that, they have met their targeted groups for labour, which are 30% female, 30% youth and 0.5% of persons with disabilities.
Picture: The female farmers continue to be ill-treated/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
The residents of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality welcomed the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land (PDAL) Bill and expressed hope that it will address their challenges on agricultural land.
However, the residents also highlighted a few issues which they considered as shortcomings of the Bill. The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development held the public hearing in Upington, Northern Cape on Sunday.
According to some residents, the Bill should seek to consider ways of managing the agricultural land in a sustainable way. They indicated that the Bill is silent on methodology of the use of the land for food production.
One of the residents, Antoinette Erasmus said: “The commercial farmers in South Africa are using high level pesticides, but there is no provision in the Bill to deal with their effects in the agro-ecosystems to ensure that these pesticides do not negatively affect the agricultural land.
“The pesticides also contribute towards climate change and global warming, which is basically happening in the country. The Bill is also silent on matters affecting small-scale farmers. Many of the small-scale farmers use the commonage land, in particular the livestock farmers.”
Erasmus indicated that the Bill does not address the interests of the small-scale farmers because municipalities in the district are currently patronising them in the area.
Another farmer, Magdalene Odendaal shared the same sentiments. Odendaal further said small-scale farmers are always allocated commonage land, where they cannot produce quality and marketable livestock. She added that there are a number of issues that affect them in the area including land ownership, lack of funding, stock theft and ill-treatment of female farmers.
“I am part of an agricultural cooperative, which owns approximately 2000 hectares of land, and informed the committee that their challenge is that only 75% of women farmers received their title deeds, while the remaining 25% of them are still waiting.
“There is an unfairness of the system towards us. I have been farming for the past 12 years and recently, I lost my husband who was leasing an agricultural land for our farming activity. Our contract which was under the name of my husband expired and I am unable to renew it or to apply for a new one in order to continue farming,” said Odendaal.
She said this matter is very difficult for her and does not think that officials are fully aware of the challenges that women farmers are facing. Odendaal said female farmers are forced to share communal bathrooms with men.
“We have no privacy and believe that the system is very unfair towards women. The committee does not have knowledge of what women are really dealing with on farms,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the committee, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela said: “We are conducting these public hearings to ensure that all your views are reflected in the final Bill. 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.
“The committee held its last leg of the public hearings at Pixley kaSeme District at Prieska Omega Hall, in Prieska.”
Eight men have been arrested for public violence, trespassing, malicious damage to property and intimidation in Klerksdorp. It is alleged that approximately 15 men stormed into Matlosana municipal offices in Klerksdorp on Wednesday.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said they allegedly forced their way to the boardroom, where they found the Mayor, Municipal Manager, Human Resources Manager and other officials in a meeting.
“The intruders who identified themselves as members of the so called 1818 gang from Kanana Township, near Orkney, demanded to be employed. Upon being informed that there were no vacancies, they apparently insulted the Human Resources Manager and hurled chairs at municipal officials leading to bodily injuries and damages to property.
“Consequent to the incident, a crime intelligence led operation by the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) was conducted. As a result, eight suspects handed themselves to the police. The accused, David Mbeloane (35), John Mokhele (38), Lehlohonolo Kgiba, Thabang Mpotle (36), Katiso Mokgatsi (37), Thabo Mafohla (39), Jabulane Sebeko (39) and Ephraim Mpedi (37) were all remanded in custody upon appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 31 July 2023,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said their case was postponed to 4 August 2023 for formal bail application. He added that, the investigation into the matter including tracing of other suspects is underway.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said the arrest for this brazen act of lawlessness displayed by the accused, cannot be tolerated and will definitely serve as a deterrence to the would-be gangs.
Kwena urged the community to report acts of this nature to the police for necessary steps to be taken as gangs cannot be allowed to disrespect the rule of law and in the process terrorise the law abiding citizens.
Four suspects between the ages of 29 and 40 were arrested for murder, car hijacking and robbery. It is alleged that on 17 July 2023, the deceased, Warrant Officer Gaonathebe Diphephenyane, was travelling from Kimberley to Rustenburg on an official trip when he was allegedly hijacked in Klerkskraal.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said Diphephenyane was allegedly robbed of the state vehicle, cellphone and money. Mathebula further said the deceased’s lifeless body with signs of strangulation, was found dumped next to a road on 18 July 2023 in Klerkskraal.
“A multidisciplinary team comprising the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section, Crime Intelligence, North West and Northern Cape Provincial Detectives, Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management was assembled to work on the case.
“The information gathered led the team to Boikhutsong, Vosloorus and Brakpan, where four suspects aged between 29 and 40 were arrested between 31 July 2023 and 02 August 2023. Elvis Hlongwane and Alexander Hobjana briefly appeared in court today, and their matter was postponed to 11 August 2023 for formal bail application.
Elvis Hlongwane and Alexander Hobjana appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Friday and were facing charges of murder, car hi-jacking and robbery.
“Thabiso Phendela (29) and Sthembiso Molaba (31) have since appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on 2 August 2023 and their matter was postponed to 1 September 2023 pending further investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, has commended the team’s swiftness in tracing and arresting the suspects.
A 36-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested for allegedly killing sister-in-law. Nomsa Lephuting was arrested on 2 August 2023. On 22 November 2022, the police were called regarding a shooting incident at the Nomsa’s residence, where they allegedly found the body of Paulina Pulane Lephuting (40) in one of the outside rooms of the dwelling.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said Pulane was found lying on the floor in a pool of blood with several gunshot wounds. Tselanyane further said, she was later declared dead at the scene.
“Furthermore, it was discovered that the burglar door was forced open and the wooden door slightly opened. Following the incident, a murder case was registered at Tlhabane Police Station and later transferred to the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit for further investigation.
“The intensive investigation led to the tracing and eventual arrest of the suspect. Nomsa, who is married to the deceased’s brother, briefly appeared at Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court and was remanded in custody until 8 August 2023 for formal bail application. The investigation into the matter continues,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the police and everyone involved for the breakthrough. Kwena also warned that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that justice is served.
Picture: The serial rapist, Johannes Jojo Shabangu/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man who pleaded guilty to 14 charges of rape and 11 of robbery with aggravating circumstances collapsed and died, while in police holding cells at Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court. Johannes Jojo Shabangu (35) was standing trial at the North West High Court of South Africa sitting at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court.
The National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the atrocity took place while the court was in recess. Mamothame further said this was subsequent to Judge Andre Peterson receiving his guilty plea statement and found him guilty on all charges, in accordance to the guilty plea.
“The case was set for Victim Impact Statements to be read in court before sentencing could be imposed, but it was rolled over to 3 August 2023 for him to receive medical attention. It emerged in court that Shabangu was declared dead by the paramedics and a declaration certificate was presented to Judge Peterson.
“He then declared proceedings as finalised and he ordered for the death certificate to be filed with the registrar of the North West High Court. Peterson ordered for an inquest docket to be registered to determine the cause of death,” he said.
Mamothame added that, Shabangu’s court appearance emanates from incidents that took place in Winterveldt, in the Odi District, between July 2012 and December 2019, wherein he together with unknown accomplices, raped and robbed multiple women of their properties.
He said the evidence contained in the indictment, indicates that in some instances, Shabangu together with his accomplices, would confront couples coming from places of leisure in the evenings, threaten them with a firearm, beat up the boyfriends, rob them of their belongings and subsequently take turns to rape the female victims.
“In some instances, it emerged that they would break into homes and apply the same modus operandi. In other instances, they would accost a group of women and rob them before picking on one of them to rape. The youngest of their victims was 14 years of age and her ordeal took place in June 2015.
“In his guilty plea statement which was read by his attorney, he took responsibility for all the charges he was facing and asked for forgiveness to his victims,” said Mamothame.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded Adv Nangomso Goloda and Sergeant Molwantoa Rapakgadi for their collaboration in ensuring a successful conviction amid the unfortunate passing of the accused before sentencing.
Picture: Two vehicles allegedly used during commission of crime confiscated/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Seven suspects were arrested for robbery and impersonating a police officer. Shadrack Haphane (39), Pule Meshack Nteo (50), Ben Sepato (45), Ronny Pelesane (30), Mooketsi Moses Mothi (47), Bongani Ndongane (35) and Remaketse Rosy Kobo (35) were arrested during a crime intelligence driven operation by the members of Potchefstroom Flying Squad on Tuesday.
North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the police received a tip-off about the suspects, who were involved in fraudulent municipality tenders, wherein unsuspecting clients were lured to avail themselves to sign tender documents.
“One of the victims was allegedly made to believe that he was going to sign a Solar Geysers contract worth R17 million. However, he was pointed with a firearm and held hostage together with his two friends at a house in Extension 17, near Tswelelang Township, in Wolmaranstad.
“Subsequent to operationalising the information, the police pounced on the suspects and confiscated several items that included cellular phones, SAPS appointment certificates, SAPS tracksuit top, SAPS face mask, SAPS bunny jacket, SAPS pocket book, 1 x 9mm magazine with 15 ammunition, undisclosed amount of cash and two vehicles (Volkswagen Polo and BMW),” he said.
Tselanyane further said the accused persons briefly appeared before the Wolmaranstad magistrate’s Court on 3 August 2023. He added that they were remanded in custody for further investigation and formal bail application.
“Their case was postponed until 10 August 2023, facing additional charges of assault, extortion and fraud. The investigation into the matter continues,” said Tselanyane.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and thanked all members involved for their quick response, which led to the arrest and confiscation of the goods. Kwena said no mercy will be shown to criminals.
Banyana Banyana forward, Jermaine Seoposenwe said she believes that the crunch match against the Netherlands at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday, will need the team’s complete focus as they attempt to make it past the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Banyana Banyana has already marched into the history books after becoming the first ever South African national team, men and women, to make it out of the group stages of a FIFA tournament. The Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s team achieved the feat after they beat Italy 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon to set up the second round clash against the Netherlands in the tournament currently being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Kick-off is at 4h00am.
“I think we are definitely a lot more focused now because the situation is win or go home. (We will need) complete focus going into this match and trying to do our best to see if we get a good result.
“As professionals, you have to take the criticism just as well. At the end of the day, there are a lot of things that people say, but I think as a team, we understand what we are capable of, who we are and what we have achieved thus far,” said Seoposenwe.
She further said, if they allow all the external factors to come and create division within the team, that division will show on the pitch. Addressing the criticism the team received after their 2-2 draw against Argentina, Seoposenwe said, it did not affect the unity of the team and they will continue to fight for each other.
After reaching the second round, the African champions received well wishes from around the globe, including from President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, COSAFA President Artur de Almeida e Silva and Premier Soccer League chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, among many others.
“So many things have been said about so many players and the coach, and you still just see unity on the pitch, we fight for each other and we continue to play for each other,” added Seoposenwe.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis also stated the difference in preparing for the group stages as compared to preparing for the knockout stages.
“I think the turnaround time and the time in between is short, so you are also trying to manage the freshness as well as trying to get ready for the match. That’s the only difference I think. We travelled and we had only two sessions and the game is the next day,” Ellis said.
The Netherlands are ranked 9th in the latest FIFA rankings with South Africa at 54. On paper, the Dutch nation has the upper hand in the head-to-head stats, winning the last three fixtures against Banyana Banyana – 2-0 in a friendly match in 2016, 2-1 in a friendly match in 2019 and a 5-1 victory in 2022 just before Ellis’ side went to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
During the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stages, the Netherlands finished their group undefeated with 2 wins (1-0 against Portugal and 7-0 win against Vietnam) and a draw (1-1 against the USA). South Africa’s showing in their group included a loss (2-1 against Sweden), a draw (2-2 against Argentina) and a win (3-2 against Italy).
However, Ellis said the past results will not play a role in a tournament that is a different ball game with both teams coming into the showdown highly motivated.
Banyana Banyana’s main sponsor Sasol continues to believe in the team and Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships Nozipho Mbatha sent affirming words to the side.
“The performance of Banyana Banyana during the group stages of this year’s World Cup was beyond exceptional and deservedly earned a place in the World Cup history books. Making it to the Round of 16 speaks volumes on the determination and drive for greatness of the team to change the narrative of South African women’s football.
“This display of character, tenacity and bravery is how the team continues to live the impossible, on and off the field. As Sasol, we stand united together with 60 million South Africans to wish the team only the best of luck for tomorrow’s match against the Netherlands,” said Mbatha.
The Guardian 