By OBAKENG MAJE

One suspect has been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Klerksdorp for being in possession of unwrought gold. Sam Nxumalo (58) briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 10 November 2023.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said, the members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in collaboration with the Klerksdorp District Illicit Mining Task Team received a tip-off on Thursday about a suspect, who was allegedly spotted in possession of suspected gold in Klerksdorp CBD.

Mathebula said the information was operationalized and the team pounced on the suspect. He further said, the suspect was searched and a gold button as well as red soil suspected to be gold-bearing material, were found in his possession.

“The team further searched the suspect’s house, which led to a discovery of red, black, and grey soil suspected to be gold-bearing material. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of unwrought gold.

“He appeared in court this morning and his matter was postponed to 15 November 2023 for formal bail application,” said Mathebula.

Meanwhile, the North West Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, welcomed the arrest and expressed gratitude for the positive information received from an informant.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two men were allegedly kidnapped by the same vehicle in separate incidents in Douglas. It is alleged that Donovan Malan (33) was last seen getting into a vehicle on 3 July 2023. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said, Sidney Louw (19) was also allegedly kidnapped by the same vehicle on 24 July 2023.

“The Police Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating two alleged kidnapping incidents. The police are requesting information regarding the whereabouts of these two men and are offering a reward for positive information, that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect/s.

“All information will be treated with the strictest of confidence and can be forwarded to D/Col Corrie Coghlan on 071 686 0020. The investigation continues,” he said.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Mosimanyana wa dingwaga dile 3 o nwetse mo kanaleng kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile, gaufi le Taung mo letsatsing la maabane. Go begwa fa mosimanyana o, a ne a tshameka kgwele ya dinao le ditsala tsa gagwe fa kgwele ya gagwe ene e wela mo kanaleng.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima kwa sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen, o tlhalositse fa moswi a ne a tsena mo metsing ka maitlhomo a go ntsha kgwele ya gagwe.

“Moswi one a gogolwa ke metsi, mme a nwela. Setopo sa gagwe sene sa bonwa kwa motseng wa Manokwane. Jaaka sepodisi, re butse kgetsi ya dipatlisiso tsa morago ga loso,” Van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A man (55) has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Tlhabane Regional Court for sexually assaulting his niece (6). On 1 January 2018, the family was celebrating New Year’s Day at their home just after midnight.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the mother of the victim noticed that her child was not with her cousins where they were playing. She subsequently went to the back of the house to look for the child, and found her next to the uncle, looking frightened.

“Upon enquiring why she was frightened, she told her mother that the uncle kissed her and inserted his finger in her private parts. The child was subsequently taken for medical examination and the matter was reported to the police.

“The accused was arrested two days later and granted bail. He then failed to appear in court, and a warrant of his arrest was issued. He was re-arrested and remained in police custody until the completion of the trial. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and it was discovered during investigations that. he had two previous convictions of rape that occurred in 1988 and 1999,” he said.

Mamothame further said the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm and for his name to be included in the register of sexual offenders. He added, the accused was also declared undesirable to work with children.

In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Sangweni Zimema, highlighted to the court the trust that the child had for the accused, and he instead abused it.

Magistrate Segakweng Moeng, agreed with the state and remarked that the age of the accused and the severity of the case cumulatively constitute compelling and substantial factors, resulting in a 20-year jail term.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Warrant Officer Obed Ramahoyo, and other role players for a collaboration that yielded a successful conviction.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (30) was sentenced to 25 years by the Springbok Regional Court for raping a minor. On 1 November 2020, the victim (5) was walking from her home to a nearby shop when she was accosted by the accused. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Sergio Kock that, the accused took the victim to his shack, where he raped her. 

“The victim told her mother about her ordeal and the matter was reported to the police. The accused was eventually arrested and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment after being found guilty of rape,” said Kock.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Provincial Head for Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offenses(FCS), Brig Sipho Kheswa, applauded Sgt Anthea Cloete Landrew of Springbok FCS for her excellent investigation that resulted in the outstanding sentence, especially as they are approaching the 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children campaign.

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Picture: Six suspects arrested for copper cable theft/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Six suspects were arrested for theft of copper on Thursday. It is alleged that, at approximately 3am, the Northern Cape Provincial Organized Crime Investigation Unit, received a tip-off pertaining to the theft of overhead Transnet copper cable at Dronfield, near N12 road.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said, en route to the scene, a maroon Toyota Yaris with six occupants aged between 30 and 50, was stopped and searched in the Kimberley CBD. Pilane said, no suspicious items were found in their possession.

“The occupants claimed to be traveling to Beaufort West. The Kimberley K9 Unit together with the Local Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management Unit were deployed to assist. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the occupants of the vehicle were suspects involved in an alleged cable theft and damage to essential infrastructure incident.

“The maroon Toyota Yaris with Gauteng registration plates was later spotted by members of the Bloemfontein K9 Unit entering Bloemfontein. The six suspects were successfully apprehended and returned to Kimberley,” he said.

Pilane further said that tools and copper cable weighing 420kg with an estimated value of R90 480 were discovered and positively identified as the property of Transnet. He added that the damage to the infrastructure is estimated at R124,000.

“The suspects, all from Daveyton in Gauteng, will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s soon,” said Pilane.

The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola, reiterated the seriousness of crimes pertaining to the damage to essential infrastructure and assured that the police will continue to bring perpetrators to book.

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Picture: The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality speaker, Mpho Pilane

By OBAKENG MAJE

The beleaguered Lekwa-Temane Local Municipality speaker, Mpho Pilane (38) is allegedly facing another rape case of a minor. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, a girl (16) has opened a rape case against Pilane at Christiana Police Station.

Mokgwabone said the alleged incident took place in 2019.

“We can confirm that the case in question has been opened for investigation. The incident allegedly took place in 2019. Reports suggest that, the victim was 16 years old at the time of the incident.

“No arrest has been effected and investigations into the matter continue.  There is no indication that, the case is related to the previous one,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pilane who was the mayor at the time, was arrested for allegedly raping, abducting, and sexually assaulting two teenage girls aged 15 and 16 from Christiana on 8 December 2020 in a separate matter. He allegedly took them to a lodge in Delareyville, where the alleged crime took place.

However, his case has since been provisional and withdrawn by the court.

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Picture: Froliana Joseph and Imanuwela David

By OBAKENG MAJE

The third person implicated in the Phala Phala Farm saga has been arrested by the Hawks on Thursday. In 2020, three suspects allegedly entered Phala Phala Farm which is owned by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, and stole $580 000.  

The suspect will join Froliana Joseph and Imanuwela David, who is believed to be the heist mastermind. David allegedly splashed over R12 million, buying about six luxury cars, including two Mercedes Benz G-Wagon, as well as a multimillion-rand house in Rustenburg, where he was arrested on Sunday.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the three suspects will appear in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court today. Malabi-Dzhangi further said, the incident allegedly occurred between 1 January and 9 February 2020.

“The accused persons conspired to commit housebreaking with intent to steal at Phala Phala Farm. On 8 January 2020, Imanuwela with two others, entered Stokkiesdraai Farm, believing that it was Phala Phala Farm.

“They broke and entered but nothing was stolen. The following night, they located the Phala Phala Farm, where they broke, entered, and stole US$580 000,” she said.

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