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.
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.”
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 69th 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.
North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL)’s Deputy Speaker, Linah Miga, has encouraged various voters across the province to collect their Identity Documents (IDs) at various offices of the Department of Home Affairs for voter registration weekend of 18 until 19 November 2023.
Miga said this comes after the establishment of the North West Provincial Home Affairs Stakeholder Forum, which serves as a mechanism for ensuring collaborations in addressing services related to the Department of Home Affairs.
She further said Section 118 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, requires that the legislature must facilitate public involvement in the legislative and other processes of the legislature and its committees.
“Through engagements at this forum, it came to light that there are thousands of ID smart cards that have not been collected from the various district offices of the Department of Home Affairs. According to the provincial report on uncollected IDs as of 6 November 2023, there are 26,863 Smart IDs in 15 district offices, as well as 684 green ID books.
“The breakdown per district shows that, a total number of 2840 uncollected IDs in Klerksdorp, 2613 in Potchefstroom, 1390 in Wolmaranstad. In Bojanala region, there are 2948 uncollected IDs in Rustenburg, 2093 in Brits, 2282 in Mankwe, and 1304 in Swartruggens,” said Miga.
She added that, in Ngaka Modiri Molema region, there are 1216 uncollected IDs in Lichtenburg, 2089 in Mmabatho, 1200 in Atamelang, and 998 in Zeerust. According to Miga, in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, there are 479 uncollected IDs in Taung, 816 in Ganyesa, and 2595 in Vryburg.
“Considering that a lower voter turnout was reported in the past elections, particularly in the North West, the legislature wishes to plead with all communities to visit the Home Affairs offices in their areas for collection of smart IDs.
“The call to action is made urgent by the fact that Voter Registration for the 2024 General Elections is scheduled for 18 and 19 November 2023 in the various Voting Stations across the country including the province.
“It is therefore imperative for those who have not collected IDs to do so in order to embrace and honour their right to vote in the coming General Elections,” she said.
Miga also said, the Provincial Home Affairs Stakeholders Forum encourages communities to make use of the opportunity created by the IEC, whereby Voting Stations will be opened from 7am until 5pm on 18 – 19 November 2023 in order for citizens to register to vote in the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mambolo said: “The Electoral Commission declares its readiness to conduct a General Registration weekend as part of the program for the preparations for the 2024 General Elections. Over two days on 19 and 20 November 2023, we will welcome the eligible citizens at 23 000 296 registration stations across the country.
“The registration stations will operate between 8am to 5pm on both days. Opening of all registration stations this weekend provides equal opportunities to all South Africans to access the voter registration process. The registration weekends as a modality of the registration, provide us by far the greatest registration yields in comparison with other methods.”
Mamabolo said of these voting stations, 62% are schools, 9.7% are places of worship and the balance of 28% include either categories such as community halls and other municipal infrastructure.
Picture: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu visiting water project in Zeerust/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu said he will ensure that Operation Bulela Metsi meets its obligations to the people of Dinokana and ultimately the whole province. Mchunu said they have invested R106 million into the Dinokana Water Supply Intervention Project that is implemented by Magalies Water in Zeerust.
He further said, the Dinokana Water Project, is one of the 27 water and sanitation projects under Operation Bulela Metsi that were unlocked and reprioritised as a result of intergovernmental interventions led by his office and the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) early this year.
Mnchunu added that he conducted an oversight at the construction sites of the water project and met with the community of Dinokana.
“The delegation was taken through the ‘sacred’ Dinokana Eye, a natural spring where the source of the water and the pump station are located and also conducted a walkabout at the site where a 15-kilometer bulk pipeline is being laid.
“Through the intergovernmental structures set in the province and the constitutional mandate of each institution, the program will ensure that every household has access to water through a standpipe. So, the people need to be patient as the projects are being implemented in phases,” he said.
Mchunu said they are happy that, there is progress and that ultimately, water will reach everyone who needs to benefit from the project. He said they are now here to point to the work that is currently being carried out.
“Refurbishing the pump station is critical so that all the pumps are working optimally in order to pump the required quantities and be able to meet the demand of these communities in the four wards.
“The project scope underway entails the refurbishment and upgrade of the Dinokana Rural Water Supply Infrastructure, which consists of high lift pump refurbishment and upgrade from 2 Ml/day to 4 Ml/day, refurbishment of boreholes, upgrading of spring water pump station and pipeline, refurbishment of the distribution system up to the bulk water reservoirs and constructing an additional 2 Ml reservoir to provide additional gravity pressure,” said Mchunu.
He said already over 1000 metres of the bulk pipeline has been laid, works on the refurbishment work have commenced, and work on the bulk distribution network has also commenced. Mchunu said that 17 local people benefited through the Dinokana Water Supply Intervention project, and 5 more job opportunities will in the future be added to benefit 25 locals each per ward.
“We encourage those with illegal water connections to report to the local mayor to be legally connected for free. This way, they won’t face the wrath of the law. We also call on the community to safeguard the infrastructure.
“Connecting water illegally damages the pipes and further assigned one of the local youth in Dinokana to lead in the fight against vandalism of the water infrastructure. Dinokana Water Supply intervention project which commenced on the 30 September 2023, is expected to be completed on the 30 September 2024,” said Mchunu.
GWK said it merger with VKB has produced a positive impact in less than six months. According to the GWK Engagement Manager, Madri Scheepers, the merger was officially approved by the Competition Authorities earlier this year.
“There are positive stories about the impact of the merger and the people in this story have already emerged. Directly or indirectly, people, including employees, customers and communities in the areas where GWK and VKB operate businesses, have begun to experience the positive impact of the merger.
“Value has already been unlocked for the VKB Group (or the combined group) in specific divisions, either monetarily or through efficiencies. More positive news is that, the combined group is moving forward and successfully finding solutions for more efficient energy consumption at various business units,” she said.
Scheepers further said this value can be attributed to several factors and one of these, is the leadership of the GWK/VKB’s integration committee, which follows a structured and comprehensive process to lead the integration process in collaboration with the executive leadership team of the VKB Group.
She added that, apart from the input of this committee, the dedication of the employees of the combined group is worth mentioning.
“Every day, employees embrace the changes and focus on utilising the opportunities on a professional, personal, and business level. These people are, and have always been a core focus for GWK and VKB, even before the merger.
“As a combined group, employees have the certainty that no retrenchments linked to the merger will take place for 36 months from the effective date and eligible employees will soon share in the benefits of employee trusts,” said Scheepers.
She said in addition to this, employees have more opportunities to develop and grow their careers as part of one of the largest agricultural businesses in South Africa. Scheepers said as part of the integration process, dedicated focus and hard work are being done to unlock benefits for clients as a result of the merger.
“This applies to commercial and emerging producers who each play a valuable role in the sustainability of agriculture – something vital to the combined group. The focus on support for emerging producers and the establishment of these producers as sustainable commercial farmers in the future, are supported by projects that are already actively operating for the last few years, as well as access to financing and other services.
“The latter includes established and committed financing solutions and input financing to eligible emerging producers, which are available through the combined group (subject to the credit policy and relevant legislation),” she said.
Scheepers said potential qualifying beneficiaries can send their enquiries to contact@vkb.co.za. She said currently, the processes and qualifying requirements are being put in place for managing financing options – the group will communicate with relevant stakeholder groups as soon as more information is available.
“The company’s connection with PALS (Partners in Agri Land Solutions) is a further vital partnership to promote innovative and inclusive growth in the agricultural sector and to support communities, as well as promote sustainability within the industry.
“An example of one existing project is Agriqua, which is a structured mentorship programme that has been successfully implemented and is operating in the Taung area. One hundred and fourteen producers form part of the programme, which strives to support emerging producers in preparation for establishing commercial farms,” concluded Scheepers.
Picture: The disgraced ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale
By OBAKENG MAJE
The rape case against disgraced ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale (43) has been postponed by the Orkney Magistrate’s Court to 24 November 2023 for judgement on bail application.
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), but the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, 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 Saturday, 06 May 2023, by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17. He will remain in police custody pending the outcome of his bail application,” he said.
Mamothame further said the state argued strongly against granting the suspended ANC councillor at the Matlosana Local Municipality bail. He added that, the state believes it is in the interest of justice for Sepale to remain in police custody until the completion of the trial.
“He argued that, he suffered from illnesses that require treatment, which he alleges was not provided to him in custody. This was, however, disproved by an official from the correctional facility, indicating that treatment is provided and that the accused would wish to consult with his private doctor, such as being arranged,” said Mamothame.
The state prosecutor, Adv Maria Krause argued that, there were no compelling circumstances to grant the accused bail. Krause said, following the outcome of the bail application, the state will make an application to the Director of Public Prosecutions for the matter to be transferred to a higher court for pre-trial conferencing, as investigations have been completed.
The North West High Court in Mahikeng has granted the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) an order declaring forfeit to the state, a truck-horse and a tanker that were used to transport illicit diesel. This order relates to an incident where Chrispen Pirukai (40), appeared at the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, Pirukai was arrested at the Ramatlabama Port of Entry by the border police officials, after he had allegedly failed to declare that he was transporting diesel from Gaborone in Botswana to Pretoria.
“The Hawks reported that, on 15 July 2023, the accused was driving in a truck when he was stopped by border police officials at the port of entry, where he allegedly declared that the truck was empty. However, upon inspection of the truck, the trailers were allegedly found to contain approximately 45,000 litres of diesel.
“As a result of the alleged misrepresentation by the accused, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) would have incurred a loss of over R270 000. The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and SARS Customs & Illicit Economic Activities Division attended the scene, where the accused was subsequently arrested and charged with contravention of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No. 91 of 1964),” said Mamothame.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded AFU for successfully receiving an order for the forfeiture of assets, which are proceeds of crime, impacting negatively on the economy of the country.
A woman who was arrested after being accused of killing her relatives to cash in from insurance claims, Agnes Setswantsho (49), has been remanded in custody. Setswantsho briefly appeared at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Setswantsho is facing a charge of murder, two of fraud and one of defeating the ends of justice.
“An intelligence operation led to the arrest of the accused on suspicion that, she murdered her relatives to benefit from insurance claims. The accused was traced and arrested in Centurion during a takedown operation led by the SAPS in collaboration and full cooperation with an insurance company.
“The SAPS 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. Through analysis and collection of evidence including the exhumation of a body, the team was able to link the accused to the team’s first focus of the case,” he said.
Mamothame added that the police report showed the murder was initially ruled a “natural death”, where a female relative died under mysterious circumstances in Mmabatho, North West in March 2023.
He said the investigations have revealed that Setswaro fraudulently took out insurance on behalf of her relative before her murder. Mamothame said the police are conducting further investigations, with the possibility of adding more charges against the accused.
Meanwhile, the case was postponed to 24 November 2023 for a formal bail application.
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Moretele Regional Court for rape. On 22 September 2019, Tebogo Khunuona was seen by his neighbours jumping over the complainant’s wall and entering the house through an open window in Kanana village, near Temba.
He then found the complaint (37) in her bedroom, threatened her, and proceeded to rape her repeatedly.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the accused is said to be known to the complainant’s husband who was not home at the time of the incident.
“Khunuona was later arrested at his home and he pleaded not guilty to the charges,” he said.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor Patricia Matlala, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as there were no substantial and compelling reasons to do so. Matlala argued that, the complainant, who is a wife and respected member of the community violated her right to dignity eroded.
Magistrate Gilbert Sono agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the courts have in protecting members of the community from such perpetrators.
Khunuona was sentenced to a further 10-year sentence for housebreaking with intent to commit a crime.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Warrant Officer Lamola from the South African Police Service, and the witness for their collaboration in bringing the perpetrator to book.
The Guardian 