Picture: A baby allegedly found in a shallow grave by a pig/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
The police are investigating a case of concealment of birth after the body of a newborn baby was found in a shallow grave in Modderrivier on 16 October 2023. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said, a community member allegedly saw a pig carrying an object with its mouth and went to investigate.
“Upon further inspection, the object was identified as a baby with the umbilical cord still attached. The police and other emergency services were contacted and attended the scene. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
“The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigation of the case and the tracing of the suspect/s to contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Abigail Morgan on 0641330314 or call the Crime Stop Number at 08600 10111. They can also SMS anonymously to 32211 or utilize the My SAPS app,” he said.
Shemane further said all information will be treated as confidential. He added that the investigation continues.
A Malawian father (31) who allegedly raped his one-month-old daughter was remanded in custody by the Brits Magistrate’s Court. He is facing a charge of rape for raping his biological one-month-old infant. On 19 October 2023, the mother of the baby left her sleeping next to the father in a shack and went outside to prepare food.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the mother, while outside, allegedly heard her baby crying. Mahanjana further said, she rushed to the shack to check what was happening.
“It was alleged that she found both the father and the baby naked with the private part of the baby bleeding. The mother screamed for help and the neighbours came.
“The child was taken to hospital for medical examination and was subsequently admitted. The matter was remanded to 3 November 2023 for an interpreter,” she added.
Picture: Top achievers awarded in Ngaka Modiri Molema District/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
More than 160 learners who are high achievers were awarded. The North West Department of Education under Ngaka Modiri Molema District, held a Matric High Performers Awards ceremony at Mmabatho High School in Mahikeng on 23 October 2023.
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said, in a quest to motivate and maximise the performance of matric top performers in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, they decided to honour those learners who can obtain an average of 75% or more.
“These learners were identified to encourage others to excel in the areas where they showed great potential and to push them to increase the number of distinctions for the province. This is also to show that teamwork is very important during examinations.
“This event is of great importance to many matriculants, who are attending and to note that your hard work for the past nine months was never in vain but rather appreciated. This type of exercise is also to prepare you not to panic and have anxiety during examinations.
“I wish to encourage the matriculants from different schools to engage and network to assist one another. Learners should know and understand that a great strategy to pass Grade 12 is teamwork. It has worked for many people, I have seen it,” said Motsumi.
She further advised learners to abstain from certain activities that will derail them and to focus more on their studies as they are left with only six days to start the exam.
The Director at Ngaka Modiri Molema, Daliwonga Ntlabathi pleaded with the candidates to cooperate with the teachers and work together during this crucial moment.
Meanwhile, A Grade 12 learner from Mmabatho High School, Mompoloki Nku, was announced as the top achiever after obtaining 7 distinctions at 93%. Nku obtained position 3 provincially out of 46 904 learners and position 1 locally out of 11322 learners in the district.
Picture: One of the beneficiaries receive a title deeds from North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi said they have already issued over 5000 title deeds to beneficiaries. Maloyi said this follows the launch of the Title Deed Friday campaign by the National Department of Human Settlements.
He further said his department has been consistent and in support of the campaign by issuing title deeds to its rightful owners every Friday through the provincial government’s Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme.
Maloyi added that, the Title Deed Friday campaign was launched by the Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi early this month and aims to hand over title deeds to residents, who have been on the waiting list to be recognised as rightful owners of land and property.
Speaking during the launch of the campaign, Kubayi said, the title deeds are legal documents that assure residents that the property they have been living in over the years are theirs.
“Every parent deserves to know that his or her children have a place to call home. Today, you can be at peace that the house you have lived in and raised your families over the years are yours and are valuable assets to hand over to future generations,” she said.
Meanwhile, Maloyi shared the same sentiments. Maloyi, who is also the North West acting Premier, said the Title Deed Friday campaign comes at the right time as the department has been embarking on a title deeds restoration programme across the province with the aim of eradicating the backlog in the transfer of properties into the names of the rightful beneficiaries.
“A title deed does not only define proof of ownership, it also means the restoration of rights, dignity and self-esteem, sense of belonging and stability. These are documents that affirm the status of ownership of a particular piece of land, entitling the owner to the land and property.
“The department has been working closely with the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) and municipalities to ensure that title deeds are issued to their rightful owners as this will help to restore their dignity,” he said.
Maloyi said this serves as testament that nothing is impossible to achieve when all spheres of government join hands and work together. Therefore, he urged communities to visit their local municipalities and collect their title deeds.
“We are also committed that the department will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all title deeds backlog is addressed. This is part of the department’s mandate of restoring the dignity of people through implementation of various programmes such as Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery programme and Title Deeds Friday campaign,” said Maloyi.
Picture: Learners rushed to local clinic after eating poisonous snacks
By OBAKENG MAJE
Six learners from Monthusi Primary School in Utlwanang Location, near Christiana, were taken to the local clinic for medical attention on Tuesday, after they allegedly ate snacks they bought from a local tuck shop. It is alleged that learners bought snacks from the local tuckshop on their way to the school.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said, upon arrival at 7:30am, learners were vomiting and complained about stomach cramps. Molokwane further said, learners were taken to a local clinic, where they were attended and kept for four hours under observation.
“These learners are between the ages of 8 and 9. The community now demands closure of these tuck shops to save children’s lives. We hope this will not affect teaching and examinations.
“As department, our stance is that communities should refrain from taking law into their own hands and allow the law enforcement agencies to do the investigations in this matter. This matter would not affect the school proceedings,” he added.
The Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development, Bitsa Lenkopane said, she is appealing to the North West communities to remain calm. Lenkopane said she has been inundated with calls from members of the community as shockwaves have engulfed the community with fear panicking about the media reports on children deaths from poisonous food items bought from spaza shops.
She said the committee is calling on the communities to also remain vigilant, while further calling on the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism and other relevant stakeholders to investigate these horrifying allegations.
“We are calling on the department to do the inspections and furnish the Portfolio Committees with a detailed report which should indicate trader categories and their respective consumable products which are further extended to school learners.
“These must include trader status, whether licensed or not, compliant with business regulation act or not, which must indicate the compliance with Immigration Act 13 of 2002 with regard to foreign owned business,” said Lenkopane.
Lenkopane said they have urged the department to join hands and intensify the operation through District Development Model (DDM) thorough involvement with municipalities and activation of the activists, who will create awareness to ensure that communities understand that the state is in charge of such businesses.
She said the committee further urges the department to regularly communicate with communities through different platforms to ensure that they are accountable and responsible for all the operating businesses across the province, to reduce the amount of panic.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The police are aware of the matter and no arrests have been made because there is no criminal case opened.”
Action SA is outraged by the comments made by the North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi on EnCA TV show called Power To Truth with JJ Tabane. According to Action SA chairperson in North West, Kgosi Kwena Mangope, during the interview that took place last week Tuesday, Maloyi allegedly told Tabane and the viewers that the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) has a good story to tell.
However, Mangope alleged that is absurd as far as service delivery is concerned in the province. He alleged that Maloyi could have done well in taking the people of province into his confidence regarding the collapse of road infrastructure, state-owned buildings and the closure of health facilities like the Pholosong Hospital, Mathibestad Hospital, Wesvaal Hospital and Moruleng Hospital amongst others.
“Instead of answering questions honestly, Maloyi displayed arrogance and used the opportunity to play politics. The province is battling with issues related to water provision, crime and sewer spills as highlighted by countless reports issued by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).
“According to the latest AG’s report, not a single municipality in North West is financially stable. It says municipalities in the province have focused on negative trends. There is a worsening culture of accountability in the province,” he said.
Mangope further said the report adds that, “every municipality in the province had transgressions regarding compliance with finance management”. He added that, even more worrying is that the audit outcomes of North West municipalities have remained largely stagnant over the last five years.
“Action SA would like to place it on record that, Maloyi’s comments on service delivery and the general state of our municipalities is not only misleading, but could not be further from the truth.
“Maloyi, as the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements responsible for the functioning of municipalities, has repeatedly failed to resolve the issue of service delivery in the municipalities and the situation is even worse now, given that he is now reporting to himself as the acting North West Premier,” said Mangope.
He said the North West Premier, Bushy Maape, has been on sick leave for five months now and no update has been provided on his health yet. Mangope said as a party rooted in accountability and transparency, they have requested Maloyi to give residents an update on Maape’s health twice and he has ignored them.
“Out of the 22 municipalities in the province, Maloyi’s party, the ANC, is in charge of 21 and none of them have achieved a clean audit in the last five years. In fact, the situation is so dire that more than 10 municipalities have been placed under mandatory intervention.
“During the interview, Maloyi also spoke about Operation Thuntsa Lerole and Operation Bulela Metsi being introduced as intervention programs to assist with service delivery, but he could not give clear examples of projects yielding any positive outcomes,” said Mangope.
He said not so long ago, members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), spent a week in the province on an oversight visit and they had nothing positive to say about the state of the province except to point out the perilous state of affairs.
Mangope said their report, released in September 2023, raised serious concerns that corruption was playing a major role in the government’s failure to implement and complete projects meant to improve the lives of the community.
*Meanwhile, the response from the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) response will be incorporated into the article when received.
Picture: The carcass of the allegedly stolen sheep/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Two men were arrested for stock theft after they were allegedly found in possession of stolen sheep meat at Lukwanyusweni Township, near Philipstown on Monday. It is alleged that the Philipstown police received a tip-off about the suspects, who were in possession of stolen sheep meat.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police operationalized the information and searched the house. Sam said they allegedly found a full sheep in the freezer of which a reasonable explanation could not be provided.
“Two men were arrested and charged for possession of alleged stolen property. They will appear at the Phillipstown Magistrate’s Court on 25 October 2023.
“In an unrelated case, the Victoria West police received a tip-off of stock theft in progress. They operationalized the information and found the suspects busy slaughtering a goat, and they could not give a satisfactory explanation as to the ownership of the carcass in their possession,” he said.
Sam further said the two men were arrested and charged for stock theft. He added that they will appear in the Victoria West Magistrate’s Court 25 October 2023.
Meanwhile, The Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe thanked the public for providing information to the police. She cited that stock theft has dire consequences on food security, jobs and livelihoods on the farming community and the public in general.
The police in Postmasburg are investigating an alleged assault case that occurred on 22 October 2023. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, at approximately 7:45pm, a complaint was received regarding a severely injured man lying next to the railway track.
“The man was found with head wounds believed to be due to an assault. He was transported to hospital via ambulance and later transferred to a hospital in Kimberley.
“Anyone who has information regarding the incident can contact Captain Andre Muller at Postmasburg Visible Policing on 083 253 9299.
All information will be handled confidentially,” she said.
Picture: Learners fell ill after eating snacks bought from foreign-owned tuck shops/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
More calls are made to government to investigate foreign-owned tuck shops to ensure that they sell healthy food. This comes after learners who buy snacks from foreign-owned tuck shops continue to be affected.
On Monday, several learners from Jan Kempdorp Primary School were ferrying to hospital after they allegedly ate snacks from foreign-owned tuck shops. The school principal, Faith Jantjies-Modiakgotlha, urged parents to buy snacks for their children from reputable supermarkets.
“I would like to inform parents of the incident that took place today at the school. Several learners had food poisoning after they allegedly ate snacks (simba chips) they bought in the morning as they came to school.
“Learners suffered from stomach cramps, numbness and headaches. These learners were taken to hospital for medical attention. However, everything is under control for now. Tomorrow is a normal school day. Parents are advised to buy snacks for their children either from Shoprite, OK or Checkers if need be,” said Jantjies-Modiakgotlha.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said they have noted with grave concern an increase in food poisoning of learners, who have allegedly bought snacks from vendors outside schools and fell ill.
Mbinqo-Gigaba further said, the latest incident today was brought to her attention regarding learners from Jan Kempdorp Primary School in the Northern Cape, where a letter was sent to parents informing them of learners who suffered from food poisoning at school after allegedly eating simba chips they bought in the morning on their way to school.
“Learners suffered stomach cramps, numbness and headaches. They were taken to hospital and according to the school everything is now under control. Last week, a Grade 3 learner from Tshepisong in Roodepoort, died after allegedly eating biscuits she bought from a local spaza shop.
“Last month, it was reported that 90 learners from Shoshanguve in Gauteng were ill and were transported to hospital after allegedly eating “space cookies” bought from a vendor just outside a local school. We appeal to parents who want to supply their children with snacks to rather buy snacks for kids themselves, instead and when they do purchase these snacks, to do so from reputable stores,” she said.
Mbinqo-Gigaba added that, this seems has become a very worrying trend. She said some of the vendors that vulnerable kids buy from, seem to be uncaring of the health of the learners.
“Parents need to take heed. Food poisoning is dangerous and we should not play with the health and lives of our future leaders,” said Mbinqo-Gigaba.
The Guardian 