Picture: The police officers in Northern Cape during Provincial Prayer Day Service/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Northern Cape police converged on the Provincial Prayer Day Service on 29 September 2023. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Thabo Litabe said the prayer service was held at the Assemblies of God Church in Galeshewe Township, outside Kimberly.

Litabe said the Police Prayer Day Service is an annual event, held nationally during the month of September, which was declared as the Police Safety Month since 2011. He said the much-needed and beneficial sermon was led by Pastor Marion Ndjavera, who is the resident and senior minister of the Assemblies of God Church.

“He emphasized that we need the armour of prayer to protect us in any situation. The Police Drill Platoon marched through the streets of Galeshewe to the church to create awareness and excitement prior to the prayer service. This initiative aims to increase safety awareness and highlight the challenge of police attacks.

“The men and women in blue and its top management who selflessly dedicate their unlimited time and lives for the safety of the citizens of this country were part of this occasion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said, the management, members from the Provincial Components, the Office of the District Commissioner of Frances Baard and stations within the Greater Kimberley as well as local pastors and community members graced the event.

“Police Safety Month also encompasses Commemoration Day, where the organization and the country, remember and pay tribute to the members of the SAPS who lost their lives in the line of duty in the previous financial year.

“The theme for today’s event was: “Let your requests be made known into God”, which is taken from the book of Philippians 4:6. It says be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God,” she said.

Otola further said during the service, attending pastors and reverends from various denominations, prayed against police killings, mental illness and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She added that, they also prayed for the wellbeing of the management, including staff.  

“We urge the police officers and members of the community to work together so that they can bring an end to the police killings. Criminals are our brothers, sisters and neighbours. You must remember that harbouring them is a criminal offence that comes with its own consequences.

“I also want to encourage the police officers to prioritise their safety by wearing bulletproof vests. They should look after one another and use their tools of trade in a responsible manner,” said Otola.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

A 28-YEAR-OLD MAN who aspired to become a policeman has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for fraud by the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on 27 September 2023.

This comes after Keobakile Riet submitted a fraudulent matric certificate when applying to become a police officer during the 2021/22 South African Police Service Recruitment Drive.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said: “Thorough investigation was done by the SAPS Provincial Recruitment office in conjunction with the SAPS Provincial Anti-Corruption unit, which led to the apprehension and arrest of the suspect.

“He was found guilty of fraud and received a R1000 fine or 6 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for three years. The SAPS Management commended the Provincial SAPS Recruitment office personnel for their vigilance and alertness and the Anti-corruption unit for their meticulous investigation that led to this sentence.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: The former North West Provincial Government’s Director-General, Dr Lydia Sebego/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

Former Director-General at the North West Provincial Government (NWPG), Dr Lydia Sebego (63) has been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Units along with the former Chief Director at North West Department of Health, Vuyo Mbulawa (54) and a service provider, Roulgh Lotwane Mabe (69).

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the trio were arrested in Mahikeng on 28 September 2023. Mamothame said Sebego, who was also a former Head of Department at North West Department of Health, is facing two charges of Contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

“Mbulawa is facing ten charges of fraud and Mabe is charged with six counts of fraud. Between 2008 and 2009, the department sought to build two hospitals, Moses Kotane Hospital in Ledig and Joe Morolong Hospital in Vryburg.

“A tender was subsequently awarded to the company, MR Property (Pty) LTD, which belongs to Mabe as well as another company belonging to another suspect, who is yet to be arrested,” he said.

Mamothame further said the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) were signed between the two companies and their Directors on services that needed to be rendered to two hospitals. He added that, the said services were, however not rendered.

“These companies allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices, which were paid by the department after being authorised by Mbulawa. This allegedly led to a loss of over R86 million to the department.

“The state’s evidence further reveals that, Sebego signed the SLAs, while she knew that the two companies were not compliant and did not meet the requirements,” said Mamothame.

He said the trio briefly appeared at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court and their case was postponed to 31 January 2024 for the tracing of the remaining suspects.

Mamothame said the court granted Sebego a R10 000 bail, Mbulawa R20 000, while Mabe received a R100 000. He said the trio were warned not to have any direct or indirect contact with the state’s witnesses and complainants.

“They were further instructed to alert the investigating officer of any travel that they will undertake and the period thereof,” said Mamothame.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho welcome the arrest and court appearance of the suspects.

They affirmed the commitment of their respective entities in facing corruption head-on, to safeguard the funds that are meant for community development.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Sethswantsho: Kantoro kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi kwa Taung e tukile lore-lore      

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Go begwa fa monna mongwe o o sa itekanelang sentle mo tlhaloganyong, a ne a itelekela kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Taung mo letsatsing la maabane, mme a tshuba tlhaga. Go ya ka ba ba boneng ka matlho, monna yoo, one a tlhosetsa molelo, mme badiri kwa seteisheneng seo, ba ne ba o tima.

Kgabo ya molelo ene ya tsosa ketsa-etsego mo baaging le go kaya fa seteishene sa sepodisi sa Taung se jelwe ka molelo ke baagi bangwe ba ba sa itumelang, mme ba boloditse ditshupetso. Fela, mongwe wa badiri yo o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe kwa seteisheng seo are, dipego tseo ga di na motheo.  

“Re tlhaloganya gore, motho o o tlhoseditseng molelo, ke monna mongwe yo o sa itekanelang mo tlhaloganyong. One a tshuba bojang, mme molelo wa teng one wa tlhosetsa dilwana dingwe.

“Molelo o, one wa timiwa, mme ene ya re morago ga metsotso ele some tlhano, rene ra bona kantoro e ene e agilwe ka bojang kwa morago ga seteishene sa sepodisi e tuka. Kantoro eo, ene ya sha lore-lore, mme go ne go sena se se ne se ka dirwa go ka tima molelo o.”

Are, dipego tsa gore seteishene sa sepodisi se fisitswe ke baagi ba ba sa itumelang ga dina motheo.

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen o kaile fa a se kitla a kgona go arabela dipotso tse Taung DailyNews e di mo romeletseng, gonne a le kwa motseng wa Sekhing kwa motlatsa-mopresidente, Paul Mashatile a leng teng kwa a tsenetseng pulo semmuso ya bookelo jwa Baga Mothibi.  

Van Rooyen o tlhalositse fa a tla araba dipotso tseo fa a bone tshono.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: The late former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad

By OBAKENG MAJE

The President of Republic of South (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa said that, the late former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on 30 September 2023. Pahad passed away on 27 September 2023, at the age of 82.

Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said the president has extended his deepest condolences to the extended Pahad family, who have in short succession lost Aziz Pahad and his brother, former Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, who passed away in July 2023.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) will provide ceremonial elements during the funeral service for the former Deputy Minister, which will commence at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg at 10am on Saturday.

“Ramaphosa has directed that flags be flown at half-mast around the country until tomorrow evening. Pahad who exercised his anti-apartheid activism in the Transvaal Indian Congress and was in exile between 1964 and 1990, served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008,” said Magwenya.

He further said several months after the end of Pahad’s tenure as Deputy Minister, the Department of Foreign Affairs was renamed the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Magwenya added that, Pahad worked for freedom during his decades in exile in the United Kingdom, Angola, and Zambia.

“This was a period in which he played a diversity of roles including as a member of the ANC’s Revolutionary Council and the Political-Military Committee and being part of the ANC negotiating team that secretly met representatives of the apartheid regime and also with leading members of the Afrikaner community.

Magwenya said: “Pahad was a consummate diplomat not only in the service of our country but in support of causes for freedom and justice elsewhere in the world, notably advocating the plight of the Palestinian people.

“Endearing of disposition and fierce of principle, he represented our nation with passion and clarity and played a significant role in educating the nation of our early democracy about international relations and South Africa’s role, place and vision in a world which itself undergoing change at that time.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: An elderly man arrested for being in possession of a rifle/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOALETSI

An elderly man (68) has been arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed rifle. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi said the incident took place at Deben.

Makoloi further said during the arrest, 30 rounds of ammunition were also allegedly found in the suspect’s possession.

“The police who were on duty received a tip-off that led to the arrest of the suspect. The police in conjunction with Ger -Cor Security Company in Deben apprehended the suspect. During the arrest, 30 live rounds of ammunition and one magazine were also seized.,” she added.

Meanwhile, the John Taolo Gaetswe District Commissioner, Major General Keagekae Besnaar lauded the police who executed the arrested including the community members and Ger Cor Security Company.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: The residents of Itireleng village embark on service delivery protest

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Itireleng village, near Taung, said they will continue with their protestation until the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe heed their call. This morning, community members continued with their service delivery protests and barricaded the N18 road that links Hartswater and Taung.

One of the community leaders, Itumeleng Pholo said, they need a 2.5km paved road from their area to the N18 road. Pholo alleged that Gaoraelwe told them that, there was a R10 million budget set aside for the construction of the road, but he continues to send them from pillar to post.

“Even this morning, the community members have continued with the protest and barricaded the N18 road with burning tyres and debris. As the community of Itireleng, we feel disrespected by the manner in which the mayor is handling this matter.

“No communication whatsoever from the municipality. We want to understand what has happened to the R10 million budget for the road. There are also allegations regarding the missing R6 million that was previously part of the budget for the construction of the road. We receive no joy from the municipality, but aluta continua,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in Greater Taung Local Municipality, Sam Nape said the protests erupted in Matolong and Itereleng villages because Gaoraelwe made empty promises in 2022 to construct an internal road between the two villages connecting them to the N18.

Nape further said, in typical ANC fashion, Gaoraelwe made politically expedient promises to residents knowing full well that, the municipality did not have the funding nor the capacity to build such a road. He added that, neither does the road fall under the jurisdiction of the municipality.

“The road is a competency of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG). The DA would in principle support the construction of a road, but it must follow the correct process and procedures.

“When the matter appeared before council, we raised concerns that this would be an unfunded project, that the municipality has no jurisdiction to construct this road since it is a provincial road, and that the cost of R10 million seemed excessive,” said Nape.

He said ANC in council wanted to apply for funding from the municipality’s investment accounts, but this account was almost depleted after the ANC-led administration utilised R100 million from it over the last year.

Nape said Gaoraelwe was quick to make empty promises, raising expectations of residents, but when they took to the streets he went into hiding.

“In short, Gaoraelwe is the cause of these protests and he should at least have the backbone to engage the communities in the two villages. The DA will also raise the possible construction of this road with the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi, to see whether there is any intention and funding available for this project.

“Instead of resorting to disruptive protests, residents of Matolong and Itereleng Villages should register to vote DA in next year’s elections. The DA in government does not make promises that we cannot keep, and we ensure quality basic service delivery to all residents,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com