Picture: The ten awaiting trial detainees who escaped from police cells/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Ten awaiting trial detainees escaped from Mogwase Police Holding Cells in Mogwase on Wednesday morning. The detainees who are between the ages of 18 and 56, allegedly escaped through the roof after cutting the mesh wire.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said Johannes Mogari Nowata, Katlego Nkitle, Omphemetse Moeng, Joseph Molefe, Tebogo Michael Langeni, Obvious Mlambo, Lebogang Mokotleng, Adonis Mpofu, Eric Mkhonazi and Tshiamo Mogale were at the time of the incident, facing charges ranging from house robbery, possession of suspected stolen goods, robbery aggravating, murder, attempted rape and burglary.

“The police have launched a manhunt and internal investigations regarding the incident have also been instituted. The members of the community are encouraged not to attempt to re-arrest the detainees as they are considered to be dangerous, but to contact the Investigating Officer, Captain Malope Mabula on 082 569 4887 or Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

“Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from one’s smartphone,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: One of the suspects arrested for tampering with infrastructure/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two suspects aged 33 and 30 were arrested during a safer festive season operation in Kimberly. They were arrested for tampering with infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen property.

The suspects will briefly appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said the operation is gaining momentum as the police were out in full force on Friday.

Gopane further said Operation Shanela’s actions were conducted in the Greater Kimberley area by the police from the Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police, Mounted unit, Roodepan, Galeshewe, Kimberley, and Kagisho.

“The operation commenced with a parade under the command of Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana. During the first phase of the operation, blue light patrols were conducted in the Greater Kimberley area and 387 persons were stopped and searched.

“Foot beat patrol was also conducted at the Diamond Pavillion Mall and North Cape Mall to sensitise the community about crime prevention and safety tips, compliance inspections at liquor outlets,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: Some of the dagga confiscated by police/Supplied  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two men aged 43 and 46 were arrested for illegally being in possession of endangered plants and dagga. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said on 22 November 2023 at approximately 7pm, the police received a tip-off regarding a truck driver and his crew allegedly transporting endangered plants and dagga worth R700 000.

Kock further said, the police reservist, WO Happie Van Wyk and Const Collin Jabulani, stopped and searched the truck on the N7 road, outside Springbok.

“The police confiscated endangered plants worth about R450 000 and dagga worth approximately R250 000 from the delivery truck. We are grateful that, the police have made a significant dent in the endangered plants and dagga trade,” he added.

Kock said the suspects will appear at Springbok Magistrate’s Court soon.

Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brig Schalk Andrews, commended the police for their vigilance and swift reaction that ensured the arrest of the two suspects. Andrews also thanked the community for their assistance in this regard.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: The Manyane Lodge

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West calls for a probe on two contracts allegedly awarded for the same project at Manyane Lodge, Mahikeng. The DA caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile said it is absurd that, the National Department of Tourism, allegedly awarded yet another contract for the refurbishment of the lodge.

Sonakile said, regrettably, not a word has been said about the initial R47 million contract for the same project that was never completed. He further said, that last year, they conducted an oversight inspection at the lodge and found it in a dilapidated and neglected state.

“There was no evidence of refurbishment work done by Re A Aga Consulting, despite receiving a R47 million contract in 2016 to refurbish the lodge. To date, there has been no accountability for this wasteful expenditure and not a single official could account for the lodge’s assets, yet an additional R24 million contract has been awarded to ALF ZIM and Associates CC to complete a project that should have been completed in 2016.

“A blame game between the national and provincial departments persists. We have approached the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the R47 million awarded to Re A Aga Consulting, the missing assets, and to recover all funds lost,” said Sonakile.

He added that they will also monitor the implementation of the R24 million contract closely to prevent any corruption or fraud and to ensure that the residents of Mahikeng benefit from this project.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille will visit the project on Monday. De Lille’s spokesperson, Zara Nicholson said: “De Lille’s visit is part of oversight duties and to help speed up delivery of critical tourism infrastructure projects. The project started several years ago but remains incomplete. The delay in this infrastructure project has a negative impact on the surrounding communities, especially the tourism sector in the region.  

“However, de Lille is working with stakeholders to unblock a number of delayed tourism infrastructure projects to get projects back on track and delivered across the country for the benefit of the tourism sector.”

Nicholson said the quality and diverse tourism infrastructure projects are essential to the department’s objective to grow tourism numbers, which will in turn grow the country’s economy and job creation.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: A woman accused of murder and fraud, Agnes Segomotsi Setswantsho

By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder and fraud case against Agnes Segomotsi Setshwantsho (49) has been postponed by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court to 6 December 2023 for a further bail hearing. Sesthwantsho’s defense attorney, read an affidavit on her behalf, stating reasons why she should be granted bail.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, the state is expected to call on the investigating officer to take a stand in opposing bail when the matter sits. Mamothame further said Setshwantsho is facing a charge of murder, two of fraud, and one of defeating the ends of justice.

“The South African Police (SAPS) reported that, on 16 November 2023, an intelligence operation led to the arrest of the accused on suspicion that she murdered her relatives to benefit from insurance claims.

“The suspect was traced and arrested in Centurion, near Pretoria during a takedown operation led by the police in collaboration and full cooperation with an insurance company. The police further reported that, in the past two months, Sergeant Keshi Mabunda and a team of detectives, have been working on the case following a tip-off from relatives of this suspect,” he said.

Mamothame added that, through analysis and collection of evidence including the exhumation of a body, the police were able to link its latest suspect to the team’s first focus of the case. He said according to the police report, the murder that was initially ruled a “natural death” happened in Mmabatho, in the North West, where a female relative died under mysterious circumstances in March 2023.

“Investigations have revealed that the suspect fraudulently took out insurance on behalf of her relative before her murder. The police are conducting further investigations, with the possibility of adding more charges against the accused. Meanwhile, the accused will remain in police custody pending the outcome of the bail application,” said Mamothame.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale 

By OBAKENG MAJE

A rape case against the disgraced ANC Councillor, Tebogo Sepale (43) has been postponed to 17 January 2024. The Orkney Magistrate’s Court denied Sepale bail and transferred his case to the Orkney Regional Court.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the state welcomed the judgement as it prepares for pre-trial. Mmaothame further said Sepale is currently facing 11 charges, two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape and one for sexual intimidation.

He added that the state may add other charges when the matter goes to a higher court.

“Sepale’s court appearance emanates from a report by the police indicating that, the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, was investigating a case of crimen injuria, and two separate counts of statutory rape, after they were reported at Kanana Police Station, respectively.

“In one of the cases, the suspect allegedly shared nude pictures with the complainant. In the second and separate case but involving the same suspect, two counts of statutory rape were laid on 6 May 2023 by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17,” he said.

He will remain in police custody until the completion of the case.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: The Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Motswana

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Motswana (47), who is the former acting Mayor of Mamusa Local Municipality, briefly appeared in the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 24 November 2023.

Motswana was arrested for alleged fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). In May 2017, Motswana during his tenure as an acting Mayor, allegedly entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with a service provider for the municipality to purchase a farm and for the service provider to sell another farm to the municipality.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The municipality could have incurred costs of over R500 000 had this irregular contract materialised. Following an extensive investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, a warrant of arrest was issued against Motswana and he handed himself over to authorities.

“He is charged with fraud for misrepresenting the municipality. The accused was also charged with contravention of Section 173 (4) of Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2002. Motswana was granted R10 000 bail and his case was postponed to 19 January 2024 for further investigation.”

Mamothame further said Motswana was ordered not to have any direct or indirect contact with state witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari together with the North West Hawks Head, Major General Patrick Mbotho, lauded the work of the prosecution and investigation team.

taungdailynews@gmail.com