By OBAKENG MAJE

The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West condemned the alleged assault of two teachers from Dingateng and Mathateng Primary Schools in Masamane village, outside Mahikeng. The MRM Provincial Interim Committee convenor, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said they call for an in-depth probe into the protracted protests that culminated into senseless violence and swift resolution of grievances.

Kgwele said such moral decay must be ‘nipped in the bud’ before matters get out of hand. He further said a stern action must be taken against anarchists responsible for the abhorrent and despicable conduct that has not only undermined the said educators’ human rights, but their dignity as well.

“We call on communities to protect educators from opportunistic and disruptive elements that have no interest in their children’s education. Those responsible must be held accountable in order to entrench a culture of zero tolerance to violence in our schools as well as communities and respect for the rule of law.

“The probe must, among others, inquire as to whether authorities had intervened timeously to address grievances that are at play because two months of lost learning and teaching time is also not unacceptable,” he said.

Kgwele added: “They must get to the root cause of the conflict because educators cannot be victimized for external issues that are beyond them such as water shortage in this heatwave.

“The challenges of Educators Assistants and General Assistants must also be speedily resolved to minimize the impact the disruption might have on learners’ end of the year performance.”

He called for urgent mediation to de-escalate the conflict and return the situation to normality. Kgwele also pointed out that the Moral Regeneration Movement’s Charter of Positive Values is opposed to any form of physical, emotional, and or psychological abuse or ill-treatment of another human being.

“The partnership of civil society organisations such as churches, faith- based organisations, trade unions, civic as well as non-government organisations, including traditional leaders is critical for us to work for the physical security of all people in our communities,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “This barbaric incident follows the two months of no schooling due to the allegations of incorrect appointment of the Educators Assistants and General Assistants at Masamane Primary School.

“This includes the shortage of water affecting the flushing of toilets amongst other challenges. The department had on 9 October 2023, sourced out temporary toilets and filled JoJo tanks with water, whilst the contractor was on site to install a borehole at the school.”

Motsumi said on 10 October 2023, the situation returned to normalcy, but community members barred educators and learners, got teachers off their transport and started assaulting them. She said a police report has been filed.

“We are irate about the incident amid educators’ month celebrations. It is so disappointing to leave among beasts, who think they are above benevolence and the law that they would go about slapping teachers.

“As the department and education community, a slap to one educator is a slap to all of us. I will make sure the mighty hand of the law deals with them,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

A 39-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mogwase Regional Court for raping his ex-girlfriend. On 21 October 2018, Thabo William Modibedi approached his ex-girlfriend at a tavern and asked her to go home with him.

She then refused and Modibedi got aggressive in front of other patrons and started assaulting her. The complainant tried to escape, but he caught up with her and continued to assault her as he dragged her to his home.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said upon arrival at Modibedi’s home, he could not find the key to enter and he subsequently dragged the victim to one of the shacks in the yard and repeatedly raped her.

“She later managed to escape and received assistance from one of the neighbours, who then took her to the police to report the matter. Modibedi was arrested on 23 October 2018 and was granted a R1000 bail.

“He pleaded not guilty to the offence. The state was faced with challenges before trial, as one of the witnesses was shot dead, others could not be traced as they had relocated and others stopped attending court and could not be traced,” said Mamothame.

He said during the trial, the then state prosecutor, Adv Tebogo Mokoka, led his evidence with the testimony of the medical practitioner, who examined the complainant and her testimony.

“On 3 May 2022, the court found the accused guilty and his bail was immediately cancelled. The matter was however delayed by two subsequent applications from the defence, to have the recusal of the presiding officer from the case, which the court dismissed.

“They subsequently took the judgement of the recusal to the North West High Court for review and it was also dismissed. On 11 October 2023, a new state Adv, Sicelo Moselakgomo addressed the court in aggravation of sentence,” he said.

Mamothame said Moselakgomo urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as the offence that was committed is dehumanising and unacceptable.

Magistrate Lebogang Raborife agreed with the state and remarked on the traumatic experience of the complainant, which resulted in her relocation, and the humiliation she suffered as she sought help from neighbours in a naked state.

“The court declared Modibedi unfit to possess a firearm, unfit to work with children and for his name to be added to the national register of sexual offenders,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecution team, investigating officer from the SAPS and other role players, who ensured that the perpetrator was brought to book. She lauded the courts for the harsh sentences imposed on such offences.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said they have intensified a fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F). Otola said this comes after they have identified it to be one of the top priorities, which robustly need to be prevented and combatted.

“This is evident in the number of GBV&F-related sentences that our courts are imposing on perpetrators of these crimes that were investigated by 16 Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units across the province.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Management, however, urges victims of domestic violence not to become subdued to because of fear of intimidation, fear of not being believed, stigma associated with any sexual abuse and or offence, challenge of accessing police stations and lack of information,” she said.

Otola further said the victims must utilise the services provided by the police. She added that, the police afford the victim of domestic violence protection from abuse in domestic relationships and must assist the victim to get a protection order against the abuser.

“The protection order is an order of the court that prohibits the abuser from committing more acts of domestic violence against the victim. If contravened, the abuser may be arrested and prepared for court.

“The public must also note that, you can apply for a protection order, if you are abused by somebody with whom you are in a domestic relationship with or apply for a protection order on behalf of someone else who is a victim of domestic violence and or any person who you are concerned is abused,” said Otola.

She said affected community members can approach either a social worker, teacher, healthcare worker or a police officer. Otola said if the police treat you badly or deliver poor service, make a formal complaint to the local Station Commander, the Inspectorate Unit of the police or lodge a complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which has the power to investigate misconduct claims against the police.

“To protect victims of GBV&F, the Stop Gender Violence Helpline hotline is 0800 150 150, the Child Line 0800 055 555 and or report to the SAPS crime stop number 08600 10111 or the SAPS Service Complaints Call Centre toll free number, 0800 333 177,” she said.

“It is important to note that, the person that is abusing you can be a man or a woman. Women can abuse other women and men can abuse other men as well as women can also abuse men,” she said.

Otola said child abuse is very serious and must be reported to the police immediately.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: An overflow drainage system in residents’ yards/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The community members who were affected by the overflowing drainage system in Phase 3 near Masekwane’s church in Colour Blocking Township, near Vryburg, accused the embattled Naledi Local Municipality of abandoning them.

They alleged that there is a drainage system that has burst into their yards and the municipality is not doing anything about it. According to one of community leaders, Lukas Ekkelton, it’s been two days since they have reported the matter to the municipality, but their plea fell in deaf ears.

“This situation is unbearable and poses hazardous danger to our health. More than six houses have been affected by this sewage burst and we have reported it to the municipality.

“The sewage has now overflowed into my neighbours’ yards. In the other house, there are young children and I am afraid that this might be bad for their health. We have been reporting this to the municipality, without any luck,” he said.

Ekkelton further said there is a lack of communication between the municipality and the residents hence this mess. He added that the municipality should practice Batho Pele principle and ensure that the situation the residents find themselves in is conducive enough.

Meanwhile, the Naledi Local Municipality acting spokesperson, Portia Maphike did not respond to the media inquiry sent to her before publishing this article. However, the response will be incorporated in the article when received.

taungdailynews@gmail.com