Former Potchefstroom Flying Squad police officer, Pauline Rabase (52) and Lesego Motsamai (46) who was working as an Administration Clerk at the storage facility in the Klerksdorp Police Station were each sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for theft and housebreaking with intent to steal.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said between 14 December 2007 and 3 January 2008, a burglary took place at Klerksdorp SAPS storage facility, where a safe containing cash to the amount of R150 000 was stolen.
“Meticulous investigations by the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit led to the arrest of Rabase, Motsamai and Ivan Smous (38) who passed away before the commencement of the trial.
“The sentences against both accused were wholly suspended for a period of 5 years,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in North West, Major General Patrick Mbotho welcomed the sentence.
North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (NWDARD) urges job seekers to be wary of a scammer, who allegedly promises unsuspecting job seekers a certain Record position at the department. The department spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako said this information is contained in an SMS sent to some job seekers with reference number: VRY 567-451 and is inviting people for interviews at Head Office, Mmabatho.
“The department has no record of such communique. All vacancies’ reference to the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development always bear NWDARD characteristics.
“So, it should be noted that the departmental posts are advertised on the website (dard.nwpg.gov.za), departmental social media pages, and print media. Applications are required to be either hand delivered or posted to specified offices,” she said.
Setlhako further said job seekers, who receive these suspicious employment opportunities need to always verify them by referring to official departmental communication platforms. She added that the department urges the public to be vigilant and not accept job interview invites for posts they did not apply for or job offers when they were not interviewed for them.
“They are further urged to ignore such messages and to alert the authorities including the law enforcement agencies. Please contact Ms Gabaiphiwe Leboko on 018 389 5229 to verify suspicious employment offers,” said Setlhako.
A man (30) has been sentenced to life imprisonment the Itsoseng Regional Court for raping a minor. Matshidiso Adam Kobe raped a girl (11) on two separate occasions.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the victim was playing in a neighbour’s yard, where Kobe lived. Mamothame further said the incident took place in Verdwaal, near Itsoseng on 20 February 2021.
“The accused then sent the girl to his shack to get cigarettes, but followed her. He subsequently raped her and after the ordeal, Kobe gave the child a cell phone and instructed her not to tell anyone about the incident.
“Evidence presented in court further revealed that, the day after the incident, the child was again playing with a friend in the same yard. After the friend had left, he then sent the child to his shack, where he followed her and raped her again,” he said.
Mamothame added that, later at home, the child’s grandmother noticed a strange behaviour as the child could not sit properly. He said upon enquiry, the child revealed both incidents.
“She was taken for medical examination, where it was confirmed that she had been violated. The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested on 22 February 2021.
“The court denied him bail and he pleaded not guilty to the offences. In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Itumeleng Boikanyo, read the Victim Impact Statement, which cited the mental, emotional, and physical trauma caused by the incident to the victim,” said Mamothame.
He said the court further declared Kobe unfit to possess a firearm and for his name to be included in the national register for sexual offenders.
Boikanyo urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as there were no compelling circumstances to consider.
Magistrate Ndade Maphango agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the courts have in imposing harsher sentences on perpetrators of such offences.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded Boikanyo and Constable Tshekiso Jantjie Tau from the SAPS for their collaboration in bringing the perpetrator to book. Makhari calls for a strong advocacy for the protection of children and the most vulnerable members of society.
A Senior Lecturer affiliated to Centre for Water Science and Management (CWSM) at the North West University (NWU), Dr Rainier Dennis/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A Senior Lecturer affiliated to Centre for Water Science and Management (CWSM) at the North West University (NWU), Dr Rainier Dennis said protecting surface and groundwater from mining activities is crucial to safeguard ecosystems, public health and sustainable water resources.
Dennis said that is why the CWSM at the university and its specialised team of researchers, are doing invaluable work in protecting an indispensable resource.
He further said the CWSM is focused on contract research, mostly in the mining industry with their largest completed mining-related project being the modelling of the entire East Rand basin.
“This was done in conjunction with the German company, DMT. Our purpose is to answer questions like: “What are the expected dewatering volumes associated with a new or existing mine and when the mining operation ceases,” he said
Dennis added that, another question is, what is the expected decant volume, as well as the expected water quality. He said In-house Model Development (IMD)and software development also feature within the CWSM.
“That includes all the software versions of the Groundwater Resource Directed Measures (GRDM) and the maintenance of a software package called Aquiworx, which supports the monitoring of surface and groundwater sites.
“The university is committed to helping achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here, the CWSM plays an integral role, especially considering SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), as well as SDG 15 (Life on Land),” said Dennis.
He said together, these SDGs entail ensuring sustainable water management as well as the protection, restoration and promotion of the sustainable uses of ecosystems and biodiversity. According to Dennis, South Africa faces a number of pressing water-related issues and delivering expertise that can tackle these problems is of paramount importance.
“The modelling of mine-related impacts on both surface and groundwater is our main focus. We also have a strong focus on producing functional students, and actual consulting work in our industry is discussed and the methods are taught in our courses.
“Every year, people from the industry are invited to assess the Honours Degree student projects and many of our students are employed once they complete their studies,” he said.
Dennis said mining-related impacts include giants such as Eskom and Sasol, as they are reliant on mines. He said the impact they and others have on the rivers is very evident.
“Then there is poor service delivery from municipalities and inadequate infrastructure that cannot supply effective water treatment. More than 60% of people in South Africa, especially in rural areas, are reliant on groundwater and we need to protect that water.
“Wellfields that are developed are not managed properly and this leads to their failure. There is also the question of the future impact of climate change on our water resources to consider,” said Dennis.
He said one of the focus areas of the CWSM is to determine the impact of mining on the environment. He said this is done by looking at the best ways to model and predict these impacts:
“The sustainability of our groundwater supply features in most of the models we develop, and currently this is the topic of one of our MSc students’ research.
“Some of the software developed like the GRDM, has tools built in to specifically assist in managing wellfields. Unfortunately, if these tools are not used by the people managing the wellfields, water supply can fail as we see very often,” he said.
Dennis said a lack of service delivery in critical areas and an absence of accountability are just some of the obstacles inhibiting effective water management in the country, but this will not deter the CWSM or the NWU from continuing to produce impactful research that matters.
A-39-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Port Nolloth Regional Court for theft and tampering with essential infrastructure. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said on 31 March 2022, the police received a complaint from a concerned member of the community residing in Nollothville, Port Nolloth.
“The resident complained about a disturbing noise near a Telkom line. The police attached to the Visible Policing unit in Port Nolloth, immediately attended to the complaint.
“The police found a stepladder and an axe near a Telkom pole and saw a person running away. They gave chase and apprehended the suspect who later became known to them as Philemon Hermanus,” said Shemane.
He further said Hermanus was originally arrested and charged for theft of copper cables. He added that, however, the investigating officer, Constable Rogerio Esau secured an additional charge of tampering with essential infrastructure.
“On 11 October 2023, the Port Nolloth Regional Court convicted and sentenced Hermanus to 12 years of direct imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded Esau for his thorough and meticulous investigation that led the court to impose a harsh sentence on the accused. Otola said damage to infrastructure has a negative impact on the lives of the communities.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report any criminal activities to the nearest police station immediately or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
“Alternatively, information can be communicated via the MySAPS App or by sending an SMS to 32211. All information will be treated confidentially,” said Otola.
Picture: Three of the murder accused, Bakang Katong, Phenyo Katong and Katlego Mosimege/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder case against four accused persons will resume today at 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.
The Guardian 