Picture: One of the wanted suspects arrested/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Nine suspects wanted for various crimes, including assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and theft, are expected to appear in court on 8 December 2023. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said the Roodepan Detectives, traced the suspects in the early hours of the morning on 7 December 2023.
“The ages of the suspects range between 17 and 42 and were arrested at their respective addresses,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Francis Baard District Police Commissioner, Maj Gen Johan Bean, applauded Lt Col Christopher Mashodi for ensuring that, perpetrators are arrested and brought to book.
Four accused facing charges of contravention of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 briefly appeared at the Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court on 6 December 2023.
Pulaetsile Albertina Phepheng (39), Chwaro April (40), Betty Mosala (40), and Barend Pretorius (50) were arrested on 6 December 2023 in a multi-disciplinary approach by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, National Credit Regulator (NCR), Pampierstad Visible Policing and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the preliminary investigations alleged that the accused were running unregistered micro cash loan businesses around Pampierstad. Mnisi said the accused would retain clients’ bank cards, SASSA cards, and identity documentation to enforce the credit agreement.
“A search and seizure disruptive operation was conducted at the accused respective places of work. During the search, banking cards, SASSA cards, identity documentation, and combined cash to the total value of R400 956 were confiscated.
“They were released on different bail that ranges from R3 000 to R10 000. A case against Mosala, Chwaro, and Phepheng is postponed to 6 February 2024, Pretorius’ case was postponed to 19 January 2024,” she said.
Two men from Jan Kempdorp were sentenced to 8 years imprisonment by Hartswater District Court for raping an elderly woman aged 52. On 22 November 2016, Adam Motabogi (21) and Macdonald Sewedi (22) accosted a victim, who was collecting wood and recycling tins at the Jan Kempdorp dumping site.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, the accused persons were minors at the time of the incident.
“They assaulted, stabbed, and raped her repeatedly. The suspects were linked through DNA. Their names will be entered in the national register for sexual offenses and are declared unfit to possess firearms,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the sentence and commended the Hartswarter FCS Detective, Sergeant Sidwel Dastile for the meticulous investigation of the case and securing a conviction.
A man (43) has been sentenced to three life sentences for three rapes by the Rustenburg Regional Court on 30 November 2023. Michael Segale was also sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for escape from lawful custody. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said Segale went on a spree of raping three minors aged 11 and 13 years respectively, and a woman (19) in Boitekong and Lethabong Townships, outside Rustenburg between 2012 and 2017.
Tselanyane further said in the first incident that happened in Soviet Section, near Lethabong in 2012, the victim (19) was walking with her younger sister from the shop when they came across an unknown man, who asked them to accompany him to go fetch his mother’s medicine.
“Along the way in the bushes, Segale grabbed the victim and raped her, and fled the scene afterward. Furthermore, in July 2017, the accused went on and raped two victims in two separate incidents.
“The first victim who was 11 years of age by then, was sent to the shop together with her younger brother at Boitekong Extension 8 when they came across the accused. Segale asked them to accompany him to fetch his belongings somewhere and he did not know the direction properly,” he said.
Tselanyane added that, along the way as they were approaching the bushy area, the accused grabbed the victim, undressed, and raped her. He said in another unrelated incident in Boitekong Extension 4, the two girls who were both aged 13 years then, were playing in the streets when they were called by an unknown man.
“The accused asked them for directions and insisted they walk with him to fetch his sewing machine and some clothes as he needed their help. As they approached the bushes, he threatened them and tied one with a cloth and raped the first one, thereafter proceeded to rape the second minor and fled the scene.
“The police investigations identified Segale as the possible suspect and was by then already convicted on other cases. He was linked to the crimes through modus operandi and later through DNA. In 2018 while the accused was in court, he escaped through the bathroom window after he asked to use the toilet,” he said.
Tselanyane said Segale was later apprehended in Seraleng village, outside Rustenburg. He said Segale was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for escaping from lawful custody, two life imprisonment for raping minors, and a life imprisonment for raping a girl (11).
“He was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping a woman (19). Segale was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” said Tselanyane.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Obakeng Rasego of Rustenburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, and all those involved for securing yet another good prosecution during the 16 Days of Activism on no violence against women and children.
Kwena reiterated that the police will work tirelessly to ensure that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are brought to book.
Picture: The local philanthropist, Tshidi Moreane donated soccer kits to Morning Stars FC/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Morning Stars Football Club caretaker coach, Kagiso Itholeng from Mokgareng village, near Taung, said they welcome the donation of new soccer kits. This comes after a local philanthropist, Tshidi Moreane donated a full-fledged soccer kit on Thursday.
Itholeng said this will boost the confidence of the players ahead of the much-anticipated Top 8 Soccer Tournament that will take place over the weekend. He further said he is contented to see some businesspeople heeding a helping hand in the quest of developing a grassroots football because that is rare.
“It is not often to see local businesspeople investing in local football. So, we are happy to see that people like Moreane are changing the narrative. We do have an abundance of talent at Morning Stars FC, but lack of financial muscle creates a stagnant.
“What I like is that Moreane also shared words of encouragement with the players. I am certain that they will take their craft seriously and focus. We will be embarking on a tournament this weekend and we hope the donation will be a morale-booster for them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Moreane said the donation that was made under Tshidi Moreane Foundation and Lesedi 7 Group, will encourage players to work harder knowing that, there is unwavering support out there from locals. He added that locals must support grassroots football teams and urge all local businesspeople around Taung to be involved in advancing local talents.
“This is part of our plough back at Lesedi 7 Group and Tshidi Moreane Foundation. One thing that I know, Taung has an abundance of talent and all that is needed is to nurture it. By giving unwavering support to our football clubs, we will create a chance for these players to have the confidence to break through the ranks and ply their trade in elite leagues.
“Also, it is beneficiary if local soccer teams have sponsors or financial muscle because it will enable them to buy all necessary tools such as team kits, equipment, or transportation. If you have not handled something like this before, it can be challenging and feels like a time-consuming task too,” he said.
As a former player, Moreane encouraged players not to indulge in alcohol and drug abuse as that would harm their careers.
“We have outlined what we are going to do for the team in the future, including what process to use in attracting more investors. As a former player, I urge local businesses to be involved, as well as look into some of the benefits this can have for the grassroots teams.
“We understand the challenges the local teams are having in securing sponsors, so that is why we’re starting with the basics. We do not have enough players who ply their trade in elite leagues and that narrative should be challenged,” said Moreane.
He said the sponsorship is important for football clubs as it can help to fund necessities and ensure the clubs continue to run. Moreane said if a club has to stop running due to lack of funds, this can limit the sporting opportunities in the area and can mean that players will potentially have to travel long distances to find another club.
Picture: A firearm and ammunition confiscated by police/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A Chinese national (29) has been arrested for being in possession of unlawful firearm and ammunition at Kutlwanong Township, outside Kimberley. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the suspect was arrested by the Kimberley Tactical Response Team (TRT) on 7 December 2023.
Sam said while conducting crime prevention patrols, members of the TRT unit spotted a suspicious delivery truck standing at a business establishment in Kutlwanong and decided to approach it.
“They requested proof of delivery and or invoices of the consignment to verify and execute a routine stop and search. While the police were verifying the consignment against the invoices, the nervous-looking suspect hastily went into the yard.
“The police followed and found him in a car inside the yard. The police requested permission from him to search the car and found a bulletproof vest, a black case with a 9mm firearm with two magazines, several hollow point 9mm bullets, and 9mm bullets,” he said.
Sam further said the suspect failed to produce ownership proof and a license for the firearm and ammunition. He added that the suspect was subsequently arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
“He will appear in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court soon,” said Sam.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the police for their vigilance. She said that the proliferation of illegal firearms contributes towards the commission of serious and violent crimes.
“The illegal possession of firearms will be vigorously policed during the festive season and beyond,” said Otola.
The Guardian 