Picture: The EFF councillor, Betty Diale accused of theft
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Rustenburg has postponed the theft case against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor, Betty Diale (52) to 28 November 2023 for trial. This comes after Diale’s representations to request the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw her charges being rejected.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, the state has already provided Diale with all the necessary documents in preparation for trial. Mamothame said the state also hopes there will not be any further delays recorded as the matter has been postponed on various occasions.
“The police reports reveal that, the Legal Practice Fidelity Fund received several complaints from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) claimants, whose payments amounting to approximately R700 000 were deposited into Diale’s trust account. The claimants alleged that, the said money did not reach them after the pay-out.
“They subsequently reported to the police for investigation. Diale was practicing as an attorney during the alleged commission of the crimes between 2009 and 2011 and was subsequently charged with six counts of theft in June 2021,” he said
Mamothame further said the Legal Practice Council has struck her off the roll, preventing her from practising as an attorney. He added that a warrant of her arrest was previously issued for failing to appear in court on 26 September 2023 and also failing to provide reasons for her absence.
“She was re-arrested on 6 October 2023 and released on warning after she produced a medical certificate,” said Mamothame.
Picture: North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Virginia Tlhapi cracking down on illegal businesses/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Virginia Tlhapi said, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) is responding well to a clarion call to crack down on business non-compliance. Tlhapi said in an unwavering display of commitment to business compliance and the safety of consumers, they led an extensive business compliance inspection in Phaposane and Gamanyai villages, near Ganyesa on Friday.
“This operation is a cornerstone of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole and it reinforces the provincial government’s unwavering dedication to ensure businesses adhere to South Africa’s stringent regulations. So, the aim is to deliver a firm message that compliance is non-negotiable.
“During the inspection, the vigilant team uncovered startling business practices across 13 tuckshops from vendors sleeping on the job to poor hygiene standards, non-compliance with price displays, the sale of expired and improperly labelled goods as well as selling of unverified products,” she said.
Tlhapi further said the Municipal Health Inspectors (MHIs) upholding the highest regulatory standards, condemned non-compliant products valued at R20 000. She added that, two tuck shops faced temporary closure until they met the compliance requirements outlined in the Foodstuffs Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act.
“Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration unit) apprehended nine foreign nationals with expired passports or lacking essential asylum and refugee documents. The North West Gambling Board (NWGB) also seized two illegal Bingo Merry Roulette gambling machines during this operation.
“They sent a stern warning against underage gambling. The enforcement inspection also extended to liquor outlets, where a striking 6 out of 7 outlets were found in breach of the Liquor Act 27 of 1989. These outlets were in violation of various sections, including the unlawful rental of licenses,” said Tlhapi.
She said, there was a failure to keep a license in the outlet licensed premises, and also to maintain bona fide restaurants as per the condition of the license. Tlhapi said the team issued fines amounting to R10500 to all non-compliant liquor outlets.
“The Thuntsha Lerole Programme goes beyond regulatory enforcement, exemplified by the donation of wheelie bins, indigenous and fruit trees to the Phaposane clinic and Kegakilwe Primary School in Tlaakgameng.
“This initiative promotes waste management and environmental sustainability, aligning with the government’s ambitious target to plant 10 million trees over the next five years,” she said.
According to Tlhapi, officials from the department’s Business Regulation unit leveraged the Thuntsha Lerole platform to conduct a workshop with local business owners around Tlakgameng village. She said the workshop elucidated the department’s role in regulating businesses and issuing licenses under the new North West Business Licensing Act No. 3 of 2019.
“The act mandates licensing for businesses selling consumables, beauty, lifestyle products, services, and entertainment services. As a testament to fostering local employment, the department awarded job contracts to nine Data Capturers from Kudunkgwane and Tlakgameng villages.
“These young individuals will assist the department in registering and verifying businesses operating within Kagisano Molopo for inclusion in the provincial business licensing database,” she said.
Tlhapi said her department strongly encourages the local business owners to collaborate with these Data Capturers to ensure full compliance with the North West Business Licensing Act and other relevant legislation.
She said the comprehensive operation highlights the unwavering commitment of the government to safeguard South African businesses and consumers, reinforcing the importance of compliance and accountability.
Setshwantsho: Dipudi tse go begwang ele tsa bogodu
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Banna ba le bararo ba go belaelwang ele ba kwa motseng wa Dikhuting, gaufi le Taung, ba solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Klerksdorp mo letsatsing la gompieno mabapi le go tshola dipudi tse go belaelwang ele tsa bogodu mo go bone.
Banna ba, ba leletswe ke ditshipi kwa tsela-kgolong ya N12 kwa motse-setoropong wa Jouberton, gaufi le Klerksdorp ka di 2 Ngwanatsele 2023. Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ne ba tshwarwa morago ga go fitlhelwa ka dipudi di le 29 tse go belaelwang fa ele tsa bogodu.
Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba utswa dipudi tseo kwa motseng wa Manthe, mme ga fitlhelwa fa ele tsa monna mongwe wa morui, Thapelo “Raider” Katong. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, batlhankela ba sepodisi ba ba ne ba le mo tirong, ba ne ba bona sejanaga se se belaetsang, mme ba se sala morago.
“Bane ba se emisa, mme a kopa mokgweetsi go ka lekola sejanaga seo. Batlhankela ba sepodisi, ba kaile fa ba ne ba fitlhela dipudi dile 29 kwa morago ga sejanaga seo (van). Banna ba le bararo ba ne ba tshwarwa, mme ba tla tlhagelela kwa Kgotlha-Tshekelo ya Klerksdorp fa Ngwanatsele a tlhola matsatsi ale 6.
“Banna ba, ba lebagane le kgetsi ya go tshwara ka dipudi tse go belaelwang ele tsa bogodu,” Funani wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The suspected stolen Nissan NP200 discovered/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
More than 617 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela, conducted across North West province on 2-6 November 2023. The suspects arrested were amongst others, for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary of residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle, theft out of/from motor vehicle, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said, of the 617 arrested suspects, 181 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), assault common, house robbery and business robbery.
She further said, moreover, 65 undocumented persons were taken in for processing.
“The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects, and many others.
“The operation also resulted in the confiscation of mandrax tablets, four dangerous weapons, three handguns, one rifle, 29 rounds of ammunition, 20 cellular phones, liquor and copper cables,” said Funani.
She added that, during Operation Shanela conducted in Mahikeng on 2 November 2023, a man (25) was arrested for being in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
“During this joint intelligence-led operation, police followed up on a tip-off about suspects possessing a suspected stolen vehicle. They immediately went to his home and a search was conducted.
“Subsequently, a white Nissan NP 200, which was reported hijacked at Mmabatho early October 2023, was seized as well as an empty 9mm magazine, nine rounds of rifle ammunition, and three shotgun ammunition were recovered,” said Funani.
She said the suspects, who were arrested during Operation Shanela, are expected to appear in different courts around the province today and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for these successes and thanked the police for working hard to keep suspects behind bars in the province.
Picture: The missing man, Katlego King Sedumedi/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The police in Phokeng request the community’s assistance to locate a missing person, Katlego “King” Sedumedi (24), who is residing at GG Section, near Tlhabane. Sedumedi was last seen by his sister on 24 October 2023.
North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said, a search was conducted by the police, family and community around the neighbourhoods of Tlhabane and Phokeng without any success. Funani said, during Sedumedi’s disappearance, he was wearing a black T-shirt and black trouser.
“He is dark in complexion and has brown eyes with a medium built body. He is 1.3m tall with short black hair. Anyone with information regarding Sedumedi’s whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Johanna Masenya of Phokeng Detectives on 082 5487195, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
“Anonymous tip-off can be communicated via the MySAPS App,” she said.
Setshwantsho: Monna o oneng a begwa fa a timetse, Major Okedutse Itumeleng o bonwe
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Monna wa kwa Vryburg yo oneng a begwa fa a timetse, Major Okedutse Itumeleng (47), o bonwe ke bangwe ba baagi a rapaletse fa thoko ga tsela kwa motseng wa Kroondal, gaufi le Rustenburg. Go begwa fa Itumeleng one ana le dintho tsa go teketiwa.
Go begwa fa Itumeleng, a amogetswe kwa bookelong jwa Job Shimankane Tabane ka dikgobalo tse di masisi. Go ya ka dibego, one a teketiwa ke batho ba bas a itsiweng.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Leftenente Kolonele, Amanda Funani are, go begwa fa Itumeleng, ane a tseelwa dilwana tsa gagwe jaaka karata ya banka ga mmogo le mogala wa letheka.
“Go begwa fa Itumeleng a ne a pegwa ke banna ba le babedi mo sejanageng ka 27 Diphalane 2023 go tswa kwa Vryburg, mme ba kaya fa ba leba kwa Johannesburg. Go begwa fa Itumeleng, a ne a leba kwa toropong ya Johannesburg fa se, sene se diragala. Fela, banna ba, ba ne ba leba kwa Rustenburg.
“Sepodisi ga mmogo le baagi ba kwa Vryburg, ba ne ba bolotsa letsema la go batlana le Itumeleng, fela ga seka ga nna le nko e e tswang lemina. Re le sepodisi, re leboga baagi ba ba thusitseng mo go boneng Itumeleng,” Funani wa tlhalosa.
Picture: Head of Department at North West Health Department/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha has suspended the Head of Department (HoD), Obakeng Mongale (52), pending contravention of Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) over R470 million tender case.
This comes after Mongale’s arrest by the Hawks last week.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Mongale who is former Head of Department at North West Public Works and Roads, briefly appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 2 November 2023, for alleged contravention of Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1 of 1999.
Mamothame said, Mongale handed himself over to the police on 2 November 2023. He further alleged that, in 2008, Mongale awarded IIima Projects and Tsoga Developers a tender to the tune of over R470 million to construct Brits Hospital.
“The investigations by Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, revealed that, the two companies were awarded the tender without meeting requirements. In 2010, Ilima Projects was allegedly placed under provisional liquidation, which resulted in the termination of the contract.
“A new company was appointed to complete the construction of the hospital. The department had spent over R57 million when the contract was terminated. The new contractor had to carry out two major remedial work amounting to more than R4 million, which resulted in the extension of time and cost, which constituted wasteful expenditure,” he said.
Mamothame added that, Mongale was released on R50 000 00 bail and his case was postponed to 31 January 2024 for further investigation. He said, Mongale has been ordered to hand in his passport to the investigating officer and not to communicate with state witnesses.
“Court further ordered the accused not to leave the province without informing the investigating officer,” said Mamothame.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the North West, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded both the investigation and prosecution team for working in collaboration towards ensuring that the accused is brought before court to answer to the allegations against him.
Meanwhile, Sambatha said: “Mongale been granted a special leave of absence to afford him time to deal with allegations of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which have been levelled against him. While Mongale has protested his innocence, it is only fair that he should be given space and time to deal with the allegations.
“I have therefore granted him a special leave of absence pending the finalisation of his court case. Affording Mongale a special leave of absence, will assist the department to seek legal counsel on the matter.”
He said, however, the determination of leave of absence (Clause 26.3) does provide for special leave for various reasons including “for any other purpose”. Sambatha said he has also taken a decision to appoint the Chief Director for Corporate Services, Dr Madipuo Tlhogane as the acting Superintendent-General for the period of the special leave of absence of the substantive SG.
The Guardian 