Four men were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for two counts of robbery. In the early hours of the morning on 14 May 2017, a man (21) was walking in the street, accompanied by his friend (17) in Extension 5 in Ipelegeng Location, outside Schweizer Reneke.
They were greeted by a man known to them, while walking past a local tuck shop. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the two were suddenly surrounded by four suspects, Kagiso Godfrey Molapo (34), Goitsemodimo Jacob Malape (28), Monnapula Alfred Seotimeng (28) and Kgosietsile Philadelphia Motsage (26).
Myburgh further said one of the suspects was armed with a knife.
“The two friends were robbed of two pairs of tekkies, a belt, jersey, cellular phone, school bag, a wallet and a brown leather jacket. Furthermore, the victim (21), was assaulted with an empty beer bottle on the hip, while his friend (17) was stabbed with a knife on his right hand.
“After the torment, the victims went straight to the police station to report the robbery. Whilst at the police station, the four suspects who were arrested by police for another crime, were brought into the police station and the duo positively identified them. All the robbed items were found in their possession,” she said.
Myburgh added that four accused were found guilty on two charges of aggravating robbery on 21 September 2023. She said they were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each on 20 October 2023.
“In terms of Section 103 of the Firearm Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000), all accused persons were also declared unfit to possess firearms,” she said.
North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Kwena applauded the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Ditlhokwe of the North West Anti-Gang Unit as well as all other role players including prosecution for their excellent collaboration, which he said will send a stern warning that those who perpetrate crime, will be dealt with effectively.
Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality speaker, Grace Moipolai
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) speaker, Grace Moipolai said the scheduled special council meeting that was proposed by the majority of ANC councillors and other political parties at the municipality, is invalid and redundant.
This comes after two councillors from opposition parties, PR councillor, April Sephula and F4SD ward 6 councillor, Seakgamoriri Mmokwa, who were signatories to the petition withdrew their support.
Aggrieved councillors from the municipality, who are mostly ANC members, wrote a letter requesting Moipolai to convene a special council meeting at Depot Hall in Taung at 10am today. In the letter that was seen by Taung DailyNews, they raised burning issues that they wanted to form part of the agenda.
They alleged that Gaoraelwe has gone rogue and the status quo of the municipality has deteriorated under his tutelage.
“We, the undersigned majority of duly elected councillors of the GTLM, herewith request our municipal council’s speaker, Grace Moipolai to convene a special council meeting in terms of Section 29(1) of the Local Government Municipal Structure Act No. 117 of 1998.
“The speaker of a municipal council decides when and where the council meets subject to Section 18(2), but if a majority of the councillors request the speaker in writing to convene a council meeting, the speaker must convene a meeting at a time set out in the request.”
These councillors further said, if the speaker or acting speaker refuses to call a meeting of the council in terms of subsection (1), the municipal manager, or in the absence or refusal by the municipal manager, a person designated by the MEC for Local Government in the province, may call and chair the meeting.
They added that Moipolai’s attention is further and kindly drawn to the fact that, under no circumstances may the requested meeting be conducted via zoom or any other hybrid platforms.
“Outlined below in our order of importance, are the items we deem as of utmost importance for inclusion in the requested meeting’s agenda. We would like to discuss the danger allowance progress report, progress report on municipal manager’s appointment, the state of the investment account, performance report on executive committee and a motion on the adoption of council resolutions by secret ballot.
“Speaker, it remains our firm view that, any further procrastination or failure by council to address and deal with the aforesaid items, can only plunge our municipality further into operational inefficiencies and costly functional paralysis.”
They said the biggest casualties are the municipality’s biggest stakeholder – the people of the Greater Taung. The councillors said, they kindly hope that their request shall merit her sense of urgency and priority.
These councillors also called for reshuffling and allegedly suggested that Nga Tong becomes a mayor, Kealeboga Tong ascends to the municipal speaker position, while Lerato Babuseng becomes the new Chief Whip.
The municipality has been plunged into disarray as widespread allegations of corruption and maladministration were said to be entrenched into it. It is alleged that the municipality has depleted R101 million equitable share in weeks, finished R3 million budgeted for disaster with nothing to show for and also continues to spend millions of rands from investment accounts with no accountability.
Also, the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), highlighted that the municipality continues to make use of consultants, which are too expensive.
Meanwhile, Moipolai said: “Kindly note that your petition has been received by my office on 23 October 2023 at around 9:45am. At the time and date, I was not in the office attending to other business outside town. You have accordingly requested that a special council meeting be convened at a time set out in your request.
“I wish to advise you that, even if the act accords you convenience on time, the decision on the venue of the meeting remains the prerogative of the speaker of the council. I regret to inform you that, the meeting cannot be convened as per your wishes, because two of the councillors that are signatories to the petition, April Sphula (PR Councillor) and Seakgamoriri Mmokwa (Ward 6 councillor) have since withdrawn from the spirit of your letter, thus rendering the petition invalid and redundant.”
However, one councillor who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said, they have lobbied for the support of more councillors and they will submit another petition.
Picture: Community members at Kgomotso Police Station
By OBAKENG MAJE
Eighteen alleged vigilantes who were arrested by the police in Upper Majeakgoro village, near Pampierstad on 16 October 2023, will be back in court. They were arrested for allegedly beating a man (26), whom they accused of stock theft to death.
According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock, the police arrested 18 suspects (14 men and 4 women) who were allegedly involved in the mob justice.
Kock said a group of community members allegedly went to the house of a person suspected to be involved in stock theft, beat his family members, and forcefully took him and his friend (20) to Upper Majaekgoro village.
“The community allegedly tied the two up and beat them with a pick handle and chains. The friends of the victims allegedly drove into the crowd of community members with a Toyota Bakkie and one person was also hospitalised, while other community members were left injured.
“Two men who were allegedly abducted and assaulted by the community members were both hospitalised. However, one of the victims (26), later succumbed to his injuries,” he said.
Kock further said 18 persons who were allegedly involved in the mob justice are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault GBH. He added that, the police confirmed that, five of them (4 men and 1 woman) are part of the Community in Blue Patrollers in Pampierstad.
“A driver (50) of a bakkie was also arrested and charged with attempted murder,” said Kock.
The recent reports suggest that, one person who was hospitalised, Thato Maleke allegedly passed away on 21 October 2023, while only two accused out of 18 were granted bail by Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court. The case will resume today for formal bail applications.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola, condemned the attack and warned that mob justice is a violation of the law. Otola warned that, the community members who are implicated in this act will be arrested and face the full might of the law.
Two police officials who were arrested for corruption at Schweizer Reeke Police Station, are expected back in court today. Captain Kagiso Peace Maiketso (59), who was working as Detective Commander and Sergeant Thomas Moleme (45) who was working as Detective, has been implicated in a corruption case.
Moleme was arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit (ACIU) on 23 August 2023 after he allegedly solicited bribery from a suspect, who was arrested for assault.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said Moleme along with a person who accompanied him and introduced himself as Captain, allegedly arrested a suspect for assault in May 2023.
“On their way to the police station, the pair demanded R1000 on behalf of the assault victim on condition that, the latter withdraws the case. The suspect consented to the demand and gave them R1000. Moleme and his companion further demanded R1000 each from the suspect.
“As a result, they were given R2 470 and released the suspect. However, Moleme apparently kept on harassing and demanding money from the suspect. Subsequent to reporting the matter to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit (ACIU), Moleme was arrested during an undercover operation by the ACIU and Anti-Gang Unit,” said Mokgwabone.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “Another accused, Captain Kagiso Peace Maiketso was added and charged with corruption. There was also another charge of corruption added against Moleme.
“Maiketso was released on R7000 bail and the case is postponed to 25 October 2023 for further investigation.”
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and subsequent appearance of the accused in court. Kwena said dishonesty cannot be tolerated and any South African Police Service (SAPS) employee who acts in an unethical manner, will be brought to book to face the full might of the law.
The officials from North West Department of Public Works and Roads were allegedly threatened. It is alleged that a group of men arrived at the Provincial Offices in Mahikeng and demanded to see some officials.
The Head of Department, Moss Kgantsi alleged that these men were carrying chains and locks with the view to shut down the office. Kgantsi further said, they are demanding subcontracting opportunities on the grass cutting project.
“The grass-cutting project is not even at the discretion of the department. This has had a negative impact on operations as access for employees and members of the community was prohibited. As a department, we condemn threats against officials for business opportunities (grass-cutting project.
“We are extremely concerned about acts of violent intimidation and threats against officials. The continued threats are meted by individuals demanding business opportunities in general and participation on the grass cutting project in particular,” he said.
Kgantsi further said the threats cannot be taken lightly as perpetrators were allegedly branding firearms and insulting officials insisting to hold meetings without scheduled appointments. He added that, to this end, the department has informed the relevant authorities and the law will take its course in this regard.
Setshwantsho: Kotsi e masisi kwa mmileng mogolo wa N18 gaufi le Matlapaneng
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba motse wa Matlapaneng, gaufi le Taung ba kaile fa dikotsi tsatsela tse di tsweletseng go diragala kwa mmileng-mogolo wa N18 go ralalang toropo ya Taung le go leba kwa Kimberly, ele tlhoba boroko. Jaanong baagi ba, ba ikuela go dingaka ga mmogo le baruti go tswa kwa dikerekeng tse di farologaneng go ka tsenela thapelo kwa tseleng eo mo letsatsing la gompieno.
Mogokaganyi wa tlhapiso e, Lopang Tokwe, are batla be ba tsweletse ka thapelo kwa mmileng o, mme ba dira seo go ka rotloetsa badirisi ba tsela go ka dula ba le malala-a-laotswe.
“Re ikuela go dingaka tsa setso go tswa kwa metse e farologaneng jaaka Matlapaneng, Mase, Choseng, Sedibeng, Karelstad ga mmogo le Loselong go tla ka makatla a namane, mme ba tsenele tlhapiso ya tsela e.
“Tiro yone e tla simolola ka ura ya bosupa mo mosong, mme re tla kopana kwa kgotlheng ya motse wa Matlapaneng pele ga re leba kwa mmileng mogolo,” Tokwe wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The disgraced Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe
By OBAKENG MAJE
The majority of ANC councillors at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), have written a petition to the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai, instructing her to convene a municipal special council sitting on Wednesday at 10am.
In the letter that has been seen by Taung DailyNews, the aggrieved councillors raised burning issues that need to form part of the agenda. They alleged that Gaoraelwe has gone rogue and the status quo of the municipality has deteriorated under his tutelage.
The letter reads: “We, the undersigned majority of duly elected councillors of the GTLM, herewith request our municipal council’s speaker, Grace Moipolai to convene a special council meeting in terms of Section 29(1) of the Local Government Municipal Structure Act No. 117 of 1998.
“It reads, the speaker of a municipal council decides when and where the council meets subject to Section 18(2), but if a majority of the councillors request the speaker in writing to convene a council meeting, the speaker must convene a meeting at a time set out in the request.”
The councillor further said, if the speaker or acting speaker refuses to call a meeting of the council in terms of subsection (1), the municipal manager, or in the absence or refusal by the municipal manager, a person designated by the MEC for Local Government in the province, may call and chair the meeting.
They added that Moipolai’s attention is further and kindly drawn to the fact that, under no circumstances may the requested meeting be conducted via zoom or any other hybrid platforms.
“Outlined below in their order of importance are the items we deem as of utmost importance for inclusion in the requested meeting’s agenda. We would like to discuss the danger allowance progress report, progress report on municipal manager’s appointment, the state of the investment account, performance report on executive committee and a motion on the adoption of council resolutions by secret ballot.
“Speaker, it remains our firm view that, any further procrastination or failure by council to address and deal with the aforesaid items, can only plunge our municipality further into operational inefficiencies and costly functional paralysis.”
The ANC councillors said, sadly however, the biggest casualties are the municipality’s biggest stakeholder – the people of the Greater Taung. They said they kindly hope that their request shall merit her sense of urgency and priority.
Meanwhile, the ANC councillors also call for reshuffling and allegedly suggest that Nga Tong becomes a mayor, Kealeboga Tong ascends to the municipal speaker position, while Lerato Babuseng becomes the new Chief Whip.
The municipality has been plunged into disarray as widespread allegations of corruption and maladministration were said to be entrenched into it. It is alleged that the municipality has depleted R101 million equitable share in weeks, finished R3 million budgeted for disaster with nothing to show for and also continues to spend millions from investment accounts with no accountability.
Also, Auditor General OF South Africa (AGSA) highlighted that the municipality continues to make use of consultants, which are too expensive.
The Guardian 