Picture: The usage of drugs rife in Pudimoe/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Pudimoe Township, near Taung, alleged that drug addicts are terrorising them. One of the residents, Botsile Moleboge said the usage of drug substances in Pudimoe is prevalent. He said what is disheartening is that the drug lord who continues to sell drugs to young addicts is well-known to the community.   

“There is a serious challenge of drug abuse in our area. We tried in vain to report the matter to the police, however, what we have realised is that some of the police officers connive with him.  

“Young people persistently abuse substances and break into our homes afterwards. If you go to Pudimoe railway station now, you will find these young addicts there smoking nyaope,” he said.

Moleboge further said they have come up with strategic measures as community members to combat drug abuse. He added that, those who are mostly affected by the actions of these addicts are students from Vuselela TVET College.

“We have decided to form a group that could be combative of drugs. What is bad is that, when these addicts need money to satisfy their cravings, they stop at nothing. They break into homes and those who are mostly affected are students from Vuselela TVET College, who are renting rooms.

“So, we need to be cautious as community members because these young addicts also rob children of their money when they are sent to the shops. We also urge the North West Social Development to assist in addressing this challenge,” said Moleboge.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said there is an undeniable link between substance abuse and delinquency. Funani said even though Taung and Vryburg are leading with the highest drug problems in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, there is also a challenge in Pudimoe.

“We are doing everything in our power to fight drugs in Pudumoe. The police are managing the problem and last month, a person who was selling drugs was arrested. Last week, a drug dealer (41) and a minor (17) were also arrested for dealing in drugs.

“The suspect (41) is out on bail and we can attest that drug abuse does contribute to crime. But, like I said, we are fighting the problem and so far, a total number of four have been arrested.  We are not aware of police officers, who are working with drug lords, but if the community know those police officials, they can always report this to 08600 10111 or the district office,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi said: “Drug abuse is really killing our nation and my heart bled when I realise that, the majority of them are graduates from tertiary institutions, who have decided to indulge in various substances because of unemployment and other personal problems. 

“It is time we develop a programme to keep these young people busy by providing appropriate opportunities for them. As the department, we have budgeted an amount of R4.2 million to enable NPOs to provide substance abuse prevention services and aftercare to persons with substance use disorders,” he said.

Mokgosi said they will establish Local Drug Action Committees in all local municipalities by October 2023. He said that, this is indeed their plan for this year, which will see these local committees coordinating and intensifying substance abuse prevention programmes, which include Siyalulama Community Outreach Programme, Festive Season Campaign, and Debates on Substance Abuse in some schools.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Sepodisi sa Taung se batlisisa kgetsi ya go tshwara poo go tlhometswe kwa motseng wa Veertien, gaufi le Taung. Seno se tla morago ga gore, go begwe fa banna ba ba neng ba tlhometse go utlwala, ba itelekele kwa ntlung nngwe fa masigo asa ka 16 Lwetsi 2023.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, banna ba, ba ile ba tsena kwa ntlung nngwe, mme ba fitlha ba tshwara mosadi mongwe kananyo.

“Go butswe kgetsi kwa sepodising, mme go begwa fa mosadi wa dingwaga dile 67 a ne a robetse fa a utlwa modumo kwa ntle. One a tsoga le go ya go batlisisa gore se se tlholang modumo ke eng. Go begwa fa banna ba ba sa itsiweng ba le bane, ba ne ba itelekela mo ntlung.

“Go begwa fa ba utswitse tebeleishene ga mmogo le mogala wa letheka, mme ba tshaba. Ga gona ope o tshwerweng mo kgetsing e go fitlha ga jaana, fela dipatlisiso di tsweletse,” va Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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Picture: Members of Mamusa Karate Dojo Non-Profit Organisation (NPO)/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The founder of Mamusa Karate Dojo Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), Kabelo Seetelo (42) said his organisation addresses several very important lessons through a range of activities such as health and wellness, socialization and education.  

He said after realising that there are many socio-economic challenges affecting the youth, he decided to form his organisation.

“Mamusa Karate Dojo NPO, is a division of world karate organisation, Shinkyokushinkai. The club is based in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke and is a community-based Karate Club. We are the officially registered South African branch of the Shinkyokushinkai.

“Mamusa Karate Dojo is the largest group of karate practitioners in the province. Our grades are recognised internationally and in Japan. Our senseis trained at the infamous Honbu in Tokyo as often as possible to ensure that standards remain at the highest level,” said Seetelo.

He further said they have over 30 members who have joined the organisation to benefit from self-defence and life skills lessons offered by his organisation. Seetelo added that, as a former Black Belt student of Shinkyokushinkai in Japan, this is a safe and secure way in which students can learn and train in the martial arts known as karate.

“Our members range from 4 to 36 years and we offer professional instruction by qualified and reliable practising karateka (students of the art.) We are internationally recognised offer black belt grades and are registered with the Department of Education in Japan.

“There is a chance for all karateka to earn provincial and national colours as well as World Karate Organisation (WKO) due to our various affiliations. We offer an exciting form of exercise as well as self-defence, which in today’s day and age is essential,” said Seetelo.

As a South African-based Karate Artist and a qualified Sensei, Seetelo started his career in 1999 where he trained under Sensei Lebina at Mmathari Creche in Ipelegeng Township. He obtained all colours from the HME grounds and training style as Kiokoshin.

“I went to Johannesburg and travelled across South Africa competing with other athletes from various provinces. In the late 90’s, I started travelling and competing internationally. My technical was Kioskoshin, then to JKA then transformed to Shinkyokoshinshinkai, which is currently my 3^rd Dan, Black Belt.

“We have won over 36 trophies as an organisation and continue to compete across the country. Recently, we went to Mokopane village in Limpopo Province to compete there and we won trophies. Even though it is challenging to run an organisation like this, I like the discipline, dedication and determination I receive from my students,” said Seetselo.

Meanwhile, one of Seetelo’s students, Ouma Chabaesele (23) said: “I am passionate about karate as a sport because I learn different skills. karate training keeps us away from the streets. We learn various skills that help us to develop confidence.

“As a woman, I think all females need to learn these kinds of techniques for self-defence. It is not safe anymore and if one is equipped with various techniques, they can survive against all odds. The training has had a tremendous effect on my life and I am grateful for Seetelo’s teachings.”

Chabaesele said, that nowadays, young people get distracted and indulge in drug and alcohol abuse, which contributes to various socio-economic challenges. She said they need to be wiser to be better leaders of tomorrow.  

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man who is linked to six cases of burglaries and robberies in Vryburg abandoned bail. Deflin Julies Visser (21) was arrested during a Crime Intelligence driven operation on 11 September 2023.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the police conducted the operation after receiving a tip-off about Visser’s whereabouts. Funani said although the Visser ran away upon spotting the police vehicle, he was eventually arrested next to the railway line in Huhudi Township, in Vryburg.

“The preliminary investigation linked Visser to six other cases through forensic leads such as the DNA and fingerprints. The cases include business robberies and residential burglary, which were reported at Vryburg Police Station between November 2020 and August 2023.

“He made his first court appearance on Wednesday and investigations into the matter, including the tracking of Visser’s accomplices are underway,” she said.

Funani further said Visser abandoned bail during his second court appearance at the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday. She said Visser’s case has been postponed to Monday. 

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police, who were involved in the operation for a job well done.

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