Picture: The nine suspects arrested for fraud and extortion/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Nine suspects were arrested for alleged fraud and extortion in Schweizer Reneke on 12 December 2023. The suspects (eight men and one woman) aged between 39 and 49 were alleged to be connected to fraud and extortion cases in other provinces.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson in Kimberly, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said the suspects who are from Bloemfontein, Christiana, Gauteng, Kimberley, and Schweizer Reneke, were arrested by a multi-disciplinary crime intelligence-driven operation led by the North West Crime Intelligence and Kimberley Detectives.
“The suspects were arrested on Tuesday in Schweizer-Reneke we received a tip-off. During the arrest, 14 cellphones were confiscated and four suspected diamonds were found in the possession of the suspects,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Kimberley Station Commander, Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana, applauded the police for their diligent service in ensuring that the suspects were arrested. The suspects will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon.
A serial rapist (30) has been sentenced to four lives imprisonment for four counts of rape and 45 years for three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances by the Mmabatho Sexual Offences Court. Karabo Zacharia Maeza was also sentenced to extra 10 years for one count of rape.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said these offences were committed around Lonely Park, Signal Hill, and Molelwane villages in Mahikeng between May 2014 and May 2022.
Mamothame further said Maeza and his unknown co-perpetrator, accosted women who were walking from taverns at night and threatened them with knives before dragging them into open fields and bushes and rape them.
“They would subsequently rob the complainants of their belongings before fleeing the scene. He was arrested on 30 June 2022 and the court denied him bail. Maeza was linked to the offences through DNA samples and he pleaded not guilty to all the charges,” he added.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Kefentse Diseko, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Diseko further alluded to the emotional and physical trauma suffered by the complainants.
Magistrate Christel Mathews agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the court has in removing the accused from society, owing to his actions. The court also ordered that Maeza’s name be included in the national register of sexual offenders.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the prosecutor, Captain Charles Montshiwa from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and all role players who ensured that justice was served.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi urged schools to ‘unconditionally’ release the reports of learners. This comes after some parents raised concerns alleging that, some schools are withholding learners’ progress reports.
Motsumi further said that the department reminds school principals that demanding payment for report cards is strictly prohibited and it violates the South African Schools Act (SASA) 84, Sections 40 and 41.
“We emphasize the importance of transparent communication with parents and guardians. Progress reports are crucial for monitoring student development and it bring timely support, where needed.
“Denying access to these reports is unacceptable and undermines the learning process. The department urges all schools to immediately release learner progress reports without any financial conditions. Principals are advised to review relevant Sections of SASA 84 for clear guidance on school fees and report distribution,” she said.
Motsumi also offered encouragement to learners and wished them good luck in their new endeavour.
“I wish you continued success in your academic journey. For those who have not advanced to the next grade, remember that setbacks are growth opportunities. So, stay motivated and keep striving for your goals.
“The department also expresses its gratitude to teachers across the province for their dedication throughout the year. We commend their commitment to quality education and their tireless efforts in supporting our learners,” said Motsumi.
She encouraged them to enjoy the upcoming holiday season and return refreshed and ready for the new year. Motsumi added that she is looking ahead to matric results and the festive season.
“The department remains confident that, the Class of 2023 will continue to excel and anticipates positive matric results on 19 January 2024. We encourage all matriculants and learners to prioritize safety and responsible behavior during the festive season,” she said.
Picture: The initiates at initiation school/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
A 27-YEAR-OLD initiate died at the initiation school in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on Thursday afternoon, while 16 initiates were ferried to Taung District Hospital and local clinic in Extension 5 in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke for medical attention.
It is alleged that the initiates suffered from dehydration and hunger.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma, the police in Amalia opened an inquest docket after the death of the initiate. She said the initiation school was shut down.
“They were released and handed to their parents. However, an incident occurred at a local clinic, where 16 initiates were taken. Some community members protested outside the clinic in demand for the initiates to go back to the school.
“The Public Order Police (POP) members were summoned to the scene. The police then took the 16 initiates to the local police station for their parents to come and fetch them” she said.
Botma further said in the process of removing the initiates, protesters allegedly threw stones at the police vehicles. She added that the police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the unruly crowd.
“The crowd ran away and no injuries were reported,” said Botma.
Picture: The former municipal speaker, Graced Moipolai
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said the ‘reshuffling of an old deck of cards’ at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) will bring stability. This comes after the council removed the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoralewe, municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai and Chief Whip, Masego Mokua from their respectful positions through a petition during the special council on Wednesday afternoon.
DA councillor at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Sam Nape said they submitted a petition because the municipality has been in crisis for some time under Gaoraelwe’s leadership.
Nape further said they had requested Moipolai to convene a special council in-committee meeting, but she ignored them.
“As the majority of councillors within the municipality, we requested our municipal speaker, to convene a special council meeting in terms of Section 29 (1) of the Local Government Municipal Structure Act No. 117 of 1998.
“The section states that the speaker of a municipal council decides when and where the council meets subject to Section 18(2), but if a majority of the councillors request the speaker in writing to convene a council meeting, the speaker must convene a meeting at a time set out in the request,” he said.
Nape added that, if the speaker or acting speaker refuses to call a meeting of the council in terms of subsection (1), the municipal manager, or in the absence or refusal by the municipal manager, a person designated by the MEC for Local Government in the province, may call and chair the meeting.
He said they also urged Moipolai not under any circumstances, may the requested meeting be conducted via Zoom or any other hybrid platform.
“Remember, all signatories to the petition shall reserve or exercise their rights to speak on all agenda items. We further requested her to inform and invite the Municipal Manager, Legal Manager and Council Support Office for this meeting.
“The meeting aimed to outline issues such as mayoral vehicle, accidents and whereabouts. This includes implementing danger allowance recommendations, the general performance of TROIKA, executive committees, MPAC, portfolio committees and seconded councillors.
“Another issue to be discussed was the state of the investment account and ward secretaries’ stipends. We deemed these issues as of utmost importance for inclusion in the requested meeting’s agenda,” said Nape.
He said, however, Moipolai came up with crummy excuses not to honour their call. Nape accused Moipolai of playing games as she allegedly failed on many occasions to convene a meeting.
“She continued to neglect these issues. So, we decided as a council to petition her. Remember this is a third petition and all along, she was hiding behind technical issues that the petition was handed over to the municipal manager’s office, but hers.
“These are kinds of narrow and naive ways of running away from facing the law. This time around, we closed the loopholes and delivered the petition on 11 December 2023. So, yesterday, we managed to elect a new council after she said she was unavailable to chair the meeting,” he said.
Nape said the council has appointed Lerato Babuseng as the new Chief Whip, Kealeboga Seboko as the new municipal speaker and Onkarabile Tong as the new mayor.
South African football was well represented at the CAF Awards 2023 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Monday night, 11 December 2023, after Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, Percy Tau and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies walked away with accolades.
Ellis secured the Best Coach award in the women’s category to win a record fourth CAF award. Bafana Bafana star Tau won the CAF InterClub Player of the Year.
Sundowns won the Club of the Year (Women). It did not end there as South Africa dominated the continent’s Best XI players in the Women Category with Andile Dlamini, Bambani Mbane, Lebohang Ramalepe, Linda Motlhalo and Refiloe Jane in the team. SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan was also present in Marrakech and led a delegation that gave support to all the players.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said: “It is an incredible achievement, but like I always say, I don’t work alone. I work in team sport. I will quote Coach T (Sundowns Ladies coach Jerry Tshabalala) again by saying we do put a lot of effort in and a lot of work in, but the players make us look good.
“So, a big thank you to the Banyana Banyana players for all the effort that they’ve put in. We speak about teamwork and we always say when the team does well, the individual stands out. I’m fortunate that I’m that individual.”
Ellis further said a big thank you to the players and of course a big thank you to the staff who work behind the scenes, who put in an incredible job for the team to be where they are and for them to be rewarded and awarded.
“So first of all, this goes to the Banyana Banyana players and the staff. It also goes to the coaches out there who work in the leagues, the Hollywoodbets Super League and the Sasol League, and who work in women’s football. It goes to all of them, the coaches that have come before us. I got a message from Coach Joseph, a message from Coach Vera, and it’s appreciated because everybody laid a foundation so that we can take it further.
“It goes to all the coaches who coach women’s football on the continent itself because of the incredible job they’re doing. You see teams are starting to really raise the levels. You can’t underestimate anyone anymore, so you’ve got to make sure that you’re on top of your game and you’re at your absolute best when you play against these other countries,” she said.
Ellis added that, this award goes to everyone who works in women’s football because it is a challenging job working in this space. She said a big thank you to all the coaches that have supported her and to all the administrators that have supported her.
“A big thank you to SAFA, and a big thank you to Sasol for their unwavering support. It means a lot and we really appreciate it. I’d just like to say to everybody involved in women’s football, let’s continue to raise the level, let’s continue to make sure that women’s football is spoken about long after all of us have gone.
“You look at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, for the first time ever, three countries, including ourselves, got to the Round of 16 in Australia and New Zealand. Let’s push further to make sure next time around one of us reaches the semi-finals at least or even win it because it is possible. The last World Cup has shown that,” said Ellis.
She said but also a big thank to her family. Ellis said she do not live at home and they’ve been very, very supportive.
“To all the other coaches that have always been there for me, I thank you. And lastly, we cannot say enough thank you to SAFA and Sasol. The custodians of football, Dr Danny Jordaan, the CEO, Lydia Monyepao, always have been there to support and I appreciate that very much, and I’m really pleased, really humbled and to everyone, stay blessed,” she said.
Picture: The accused, Agnes Segomotsi Setshwantsho/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder and fraud case against Agnes Segomotsi Setshwantsho has been postponed to 20 December 2023 by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court for further bail application. Setshwantsho is facing a charge of murder, two of fraud and one of defeating the ends of justice.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said 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.
Mamothame said Setshwantsho was traced and arrested in Centurion, near Pretoria during a takedown operation led by the South African Police Services (SAPS) 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 the suspect. 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.
“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,” he said.
He added that, investigations have revealed that Setshwantsho 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.
“Her defence attorney read an affidavit on her behalf, stating reasons why she should be granted bail. The investigating officer, Sergeant Kheshi Mabunda, continued with his testimony, providing the court with reasons for opposing bail. He, amongst other things, testified on the false address provided by the accused when she was profiled.
“The same address was discovered to be provided to insurance companies she is registered with. He further testified on the availability of storage facilities to keep preserving the accused’s chronic medication, dispelling her allegation that such facilities are not available.
“Mabunda was also cross-examined by the accused’s attorney. The state intends to call on the its next witness when the matter resumes,” said Mamothame.
Meanwhile, the accused will remain in police custody pending the outcome of the bail application.
The Guardian 