Picture: The carcass of sheep/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

Five suspects have been arrested for stock theft in Wolmaranstad. This comes after the police received a tip-off on Friday that, the suspects have allegedly loaded suspected stolen sheep in a silver Mitsubishi vehicle and they are traveling between Wolmaranstad and Bloemhof on N12 road.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, five sheep in total, were reported to be stolen in Chris Hani Township, near Wolmaranstad. She said, subsequently, the Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police (POP), Wolmaranstad Police, and Stilfontein Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) unit, stopped the suspected vehicle.

“They found four occupants inside and upon searching the vehicle, a sheep was found in the boot. The occupants were arrested after they failed to account for the possession of the sheep.

“Further investigations led the police to three addresses in Wolmaranstad, where five sheep carcasses were found. This led to the arrest of another suspect. A total of five suspects aged between 25 and 36 are expected to appear before the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court on 20 November 2023 for possession of suspected stolen property,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their dedication, thorough investigation, and diligence that resulted in the arrests. 

Kwena added that the community’s involvement in the fight against crime is essential as the police alone, will not be able to solve crime.

“We also urge farmers to ensure that, their stock is marked in accordance with the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002),” said Kwena.

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Picture: A Toyota Quantum for sale/ Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

Three suspects have been arrested for fraud and assault after they allegedly scammed unsuspecting customers R150 000. It is alleged that Tebogo Deco Chosi (32), Mpho Pitso (38), and Daniel Gideon Rwexane (36), advertised on Facebook that they are selling a Toyota Quantum in Kanana Township, near Orkney.  

The unsuspecting buyer and his son, allegedly drove from Mahikeng to Orkney on 11 October 2023 in meet the seller in quest of buying the advertised Toyota Quantum. He was allegedly shown the vehicle at a house in Kanana and then transferred R150 000 through the banking app into the seller’s bank account.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, the victim and his son were suddenly overpowered by eight men, who claimed to be police officers. Myburgh further said the victims were allegedly assaulted and robbed of their cellphones.

“One of the suspects sends cash via “Cash Send” from the victim’s phone. They further took the victim’s bank card and forced him to give them the PIN number.

“They ultimately withdrew money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). After the ordeal, the victims were released and went to report the matter at the local police station. The accused appeared before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on 14 November 2023, on charges of fraud, robbery, assault, and impersonating police officials,” she said.

Myburgh added that the accused were remanded in custody and their case was postponed to 21 November 2023. Furthermore, she said the police investigations linked the suspects to three more cases reported during September and October in Jouberton and Kanana Townships.

“In one of the robbery cases reported in Jouberton on 24 September 2023, police also arrested Seokama Abrams (50), Zamile Marote (51) and David Metlholo Mereko (60). They used the same modus operandi of luring the unsuspecting victims by advertising a Toyota Quantum taxi via Facebook.

“The suspects made the first appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 30 October 2023. The trio was also remanded in custody and are expected to re-appear before the same court soon,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their dedication, thorough investigation, and diligence that resulted in the arrests. Kwena urged members of the community to exercise caution when responding to online advertisements and to meet potential sellers or buyers in public places for their own safety.

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Picture: The deceased, Ben Gumbi gunned down outside a coffee shop in Rustenburg/Twitter

By OBAKENG MAJE

Another suspect linked to the murder of Rustenburg prominent businessman, Ben Gumbi (49) has been arrested in Hillbrow, Gauteng Province on Thursday. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, the suspect (29) was arrested by collaborative efforts of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Hillbrow Tactical Response Team (TRT), Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, and Rustenburg Detectives.

Myburgh further said Gumbi was gunned down by two men outside a restaurant in the Rustenburg Central Business District (CBD) on 23 August 2023. She added that the suspects then fled the scene with a blue Volkswagen Polo vehicle, which was found abandoned at the corner of Helen Joseph and Lourie Streets, a few minutes after the incident.

“The suspect will appear before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 20 November 2023 facing a murder charge,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for their dedication and for bringing the perpetrator to book to face the full might of the Law.

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Picture: A Grade 8 learner, Tlotlo Ntokwe allegedly attacked by another learner/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bullying continues to be prevalent in various schools across the North West. In the latest turn of events, a Grade 8 learner at Lethola Secondary School in Taung, was allegedly beaten by another learner last week. It is alleged that, a commotion between two learners ensued over a timetable. A learner was left bleeding from his nose and rushed to the local hospital for medical attention.

The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said, indeed, there was a fight between two learners and the school management is taking strategic measures to address the matter.

“The principal of Lethola Secondary School confirmed the incident. The fight happened before the school started, outside the classroom. Two boys fought over a timetable when the other one alleged that, the other boy stole his timetable.

“The principal took the injured learner to the hospital, where he underwent an x-ray. Parents of both learners were also called and disciplinary processes are scheduled to take place next week. The case will be followed to it.,” he said.

However, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) national coordinator, Sello Mhladisa said: “Our view as the COSAS is that, bullying is a psychological problem that needs attention. So, we will familiarise ourselves and liaise with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to say that, psychologists should be deployed in schools on a full-time basis.

“This will assist because social workers will be in a better position to identify and analyze the psychological needs of the learners. Remember, learners are from different backgrounds and schools cater to a diverse society. If you go to schools, the majority of learners are from different backgrounds.

Mhladisa further said, some of the learners have been exposed to violence at their respective homes and when they get to school, they take it out on other learners. He added that bullying is a societal problem that needs to be addressed.

“If schools decide to punish or arrest those learners who transgress, then we are going to either punish or arrest everyone because most people are suffering from psychological problems including teachers. I also think the DBE is not doing enough, hence we call for social workers to be deployed in schools.

“Teachers are not trained psychologists and they are there to teach and deliver curriculum. We have so many social workers who are unemployed across the country and they can assist in addressing these challenges,” said Mahladisa.

Meanwhile, the Scielo Organisation said: “Bullying is a global phenomenon that has the potential of impacting on children both physically and psychologically. It sometimes causes children to drop out of school and permanently damages both the psyche and education of the child.

“As indicated above, children are sometimes even killed in the process. When these incidents occur at school, a recent study revealed that a substantial amount of all bullying incidents do occur in the school context. The parties involved are often minors and therefore a critical analysis is necessary with regard to the rights of the victim and the offender.”

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Picture: The Bafana Bafana players celebrating a win against Benin/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bafana get FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign off to A winning note. This comes after the buoyed Bafana Bafana beat Benin 2-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon to get their 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bafana Bafana coach, coach Hugo Broos and his players had wanted a victory in their opening match of Group C and the Egyptian Premier League club, Al Ahly player Percy Tau got the ball rolling when he scored the opening goal of the match in the third minute.

The South African senior men’s national team was in control in the first half and increased the lead shortly before the halftime break through Mamelodi Sundaowns’s defender, Khuliso Mudau. But the visitors fought their way back in the second half when Benin’s Steve Mounie pulled a goal back in the 69^th minute.

Broos thanked the Durban supporters for coming out in numbers to cheer on the team and added that, Benin produced a more aggressive display in the second half.

“But we kept working hard till the end of the match, and that was the most thing in this game. I was very happy to see the crowd today, the team deserves this kind of support.

“The team returned back to Johannesburg immediately after the game, where we will travel to Rwanda on Sunday (19 November 2023). We will face Rwanda in the second FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (21 November 2023) and then return to South Africa on 22 November,” he said.

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