A man who allegedly shot and killed a woman (47) on the main road in Kimberley on 27 December 2023, has been arrested. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, the incident allegedly took place at approximately 1:30pm.
Ehlers said the victim, who was with a teenager at the time, was shot in the head and shoulder. She further said, the victim succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
“A teenage girl was unharmed. It is alleged that a domestic dispute led to the shooting. The suspect fled the scene in a silver Polo.
“The police received a tip-off and arrested the suspect in Beaconsfield, outside Kimberley on 28 December 2023 at approximately 9:50am. A firearm was also recovered and confiscated,” said Ehlers.
She added that, the suspect was charged for murder and will appear in court soon.
The police in Taung have opened a murder and inquest case. This comes after a man (21) hanged his girlfriend (22) in Rooiwal village, near Taung on Tuesday.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, the fight ensued between the two and that led to the atrocity.
“It is alleged that, the boyfriend assaulted the deceased after a commotion ensued between them. He allegedly hanged his girlfriend before he hanged himself too.
“It is alleged that, the romantic relationship was marred with violence. The girlfriend opened a rape and assault case against the boyfriend. So, the case was still pending and the boyfriend was on bail,” she said.
Picture: The fire flares up on farms at Kamieskroon/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Northern Cape police urge community members to be cautious after the runaway fire continues to ravage the neighbouring farms in Kamieskroon. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said, on Tuesday at about 10:30am, the fires spread due to strong winds.
“It is alleged that, the fire originated on a nearby farm, where rubbish was burning. The fire spread across the mountains affecting neighbouring farms and caused significant damage to the land in the area,” said Maine.
Meanwhile, the Station Commander and members of Kamieskroon SAPS joined the farming community and local municipality as well as the Springbok Fire Department and Northern Cape Provincial Traffic Department and managed to contain the fire. However, due to strong winds, the fire flared up again and started to spread on 27 December 2023.
“The community is experiencing power outages due to damages to electrical cables. The members of the surrounding communities and travellers are urged to be vigilant when travelling in the vicinity of the N7 and Kamieskroon area.
“No injuries or loss of life has been reported so far,” she said.
A man (36) has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for Contravention of Section 22 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No. 32 of 2007) by the Rustenburg Regional Court. Zoliswa Menziwa was found with five other congregants naked, together with 11 children in a house that was used as a church at Sondela Phase 1, Boitekong Township, outside Rustenburg on 1 June 2022.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said Menziwa was the only individual who was found clothed at the time and she was allegedly the church leader. Tselanyane further said subsequent to preliminary investigations, all children between the ages of 4 and 12 (six boys and five girls), were removed from the house and handed to social workers for intervention.
“They were ultimately placed under the care of other family members. The case was then allocated to the Rustenburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation.
“Subsequent to thorough investigations conducted by the Unit Commander, Colonel Mosidi Mafora and Warrant Officer Phiri Mfetane, the accused was found guilty as charged, while the other five accused were acquitted,” he said.
Tselenyane added that Menziwa was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that she is not convicted of the same charge during the period of suspension.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the sentencing of the accused. Kwena said the police remain committed to fighting crimes against women and children.
“Defending the vulnerable will always remain a priority for the men and women in blue in the province. We also laud the Investigating Team for the sterling job in ensuring that the perpetrators of this kind of crimes face the full might of the law,” he said.
The North West Department of Health said it is concerned about the high rate of teenage pregnancies. This comes after the youngest mother to give birth on Christmas Day in the province, was only 15.
The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said, the youngest mother gave birth in Ganyesa District Hospital at around 10:38pm. Lekgethwane said she delivered an African male though NVD weighing more than 3890g, however, the condition of mother and baby was satisfactory.
“The total babies born in the North West were 121 (67 girls and 54 boys). Total babies born in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District were 22, while 37 were born in Bojanala, 37 in Ngaka Modiri Molema and 24 in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
“The oldest mother was 48, who delivered at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital. She delivered a NVD, an African male of 3400g, 1975/11/13 at around 1:56am. The conditions of the mother and the baby were satisfactory,” he said.
Lekgethwane further said the total number of teenage pregnancies from 18 years and younger (from 2005) consists of 4 in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 4 in Bojanala, 5 in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and and 2 in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
He added that they will intensify evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs to educate young girls about teenage pregnancy and the importance of prevention.
Meanwhile, the www.cdc.gov website said: “The teen pregnancy and childbearing are associated with increased social and economic costs through immediate and long-term effects on teen parents and their children. Pregnancy and birth are significant contributors to high school dropout rates among girls.
“Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school Diploma by 22 years of age, whereas approximately 90% of women who do not give birth during adolescence graduate from high school. The children of teenage mothers are more likely to have lower school achievement and to drop out of high school, have more health problems, be incarcerated at some time during adolescence, give birth as a teenager, and face unemployment as a young adult.”
A woman has been shot dead on the main road in Kimberley on 27 December 2023. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, the incident allegedly took place at approximately 1:30pm. Ehlers said the victim, who was with a teenager at the time, she was shot in the head and shoulder. She further said, the victim succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
“A teenage girl was unharmed. It is alleged that a domestic dispute led to the shooting. The suspect fled the scene in a silver polo.
“Anyone with information can contact the police at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App. All information will be treated confidentially,” she said.
Picture: The missing person, Sonny Rebaone Moremi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The police in Letlhabile request the community’s assistance in locating a missing person, Sonny Rebaone Moremi (16), who is residing at Green Side, Rabokala Section in Letlhabile, outside Brits. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, Moremi was last seen by his neighbour leaving his home on 23 December 2023 between 12:00 and 13:00.
“A search was conducted by the police, family and community around the Green Side, Rabokala Section, Letlhabile and the vicinity without any success. He left home claiming that he was visiting his father.
“During his disappearance, Moremi was wearing a black T-shirt, black pair of jeans and black sneakers. He is dark in complexion and has brown eyes with a small built body. He is 1.5m tall with short black hair,” she said.
Funani further said anyone with information regarding Moremi’s whereabouts, can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Nakedi Sassa of Brits Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit on 060970914 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
She added that anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS App.
A local businessman and owner of Meat Brothers Pub, Tshwaro Mangwegape (41) has abandoned his bail application again. Mangwegape, who is now facing a premeditated murder and attempted murder case, briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court, where he was expected to make a formal bail application.
Initially, Mangwegape was charged with murder and attempted murder, but the murder case was allegedly changed to premeditated murder. His arrest comes after he allegedly shot and killed the NWU Soccer Institute player, Undivile “Vilo” Mdi (28) and injured his childhood friend, Aobakwe Ernest Kokwe (33) during a commotion at the Meat Brothers Pub on 16 December 2023.
Mdi and Kokwe were amongst patrons who visited the well-packed establishment to have fun. It is alleged that the security guards refused entry to patrons who did not have Identification Documents (IDs) and that led to a stampede.
Mdi and Kokowe allegedly tried to gain entry forcefully and that allegedly prompted Mangwegape to pull out a gun and shoot at them. Mdi was fatally shot, while his friend was rushed to the hospital with terrible gunshot wounds for medical attention.
Mangwegape’s attorney, Isang Nakale from Isang Nakale Attorneys, told the court that his daughter is due for operation and she needs his presence hence he cannot continue with bail application hearing. The case was postponed to 3 January 2024 for formal bail application.
The new magistrate, Botsile Thaga from Ganyesa was roped in after the presiding magistrate, Thataotsile Matolong, recused himself from the case. Matolong said this case has ‘drawn a lot of attention’ and raised concerns, especially on various social media platforms.
“I would like to recuse myself from this case to ensure that justice prevails. This case has raised various concerns, especially on social media platforms. So, to ensure that our people still have trust in the justice system, we will allow the magistrate who resides outside Taung to preside over the case.
“I would also encourage the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and South Africa Police Service (SAPS) to appoint personnel who work outside Taung to deal with this matter,” he said.
One of the community leaders in Manokwane village, Kgakololo Koji said: “We are happy that the accused has been remanded in custody and the case has been changed to premeditated murder. According to the law, no one who is facing premeditated murder should be granted bail.
“So, we call on the community members in Taung to come out in numbers on 3 January 2024 to show the state that, as community members, we are angry at what the accused has done. We say no to bail because if he is released on bail, we cannot guarantee his safety because people might take the law into their own hands.”
A member of the ANCYL in Taung, Tshepo Mothibi said as the ANCYL, they condemn the barbaric atrocity that took place at the Meat Brothers Pub.
“We are here in support of the family and we welcome the recusal of the magistrate in this case. You will remember that, there are a lot of concerns on social media due to what has happened,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Deputy Secretary in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Mothohela Dikhai shared the same sentiments. Dikhai said the heinous crime allegedly committed by Mangwegape left the bereaved family devastated.
“We were shocked to see a businessman killing a reveller. We also welcome the decision taken by the magistrate and the investigating officer after they recused themselves from the case,” he said.
Mangwegape also had a “warrant of arrest” against him in a separate matter.
Picture: One of the firearms confiscated by police/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Six Lesotho nationals aged between 22 and 33 were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property, as well as charges relating to contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. The suspects were arrested at COVID-19 and Sondela Informal Settlements in Boitekong Township, outside Rustenburg.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said their arrests came after the police received a tip-off regarding allegations of suspects involved in a spate of robberies. Mokgwabone further said during the arrests, the police allegedly searched and seized three unlicensed firearms, including one with a filed off serial number, 79 ammunition, 28 different cell phones.
“The police also seized the flash machines, plastics containing coins, plasma television, a scale, two magazines, several pairs of shoes/sneakers, a variety of clothes, cigarettes, bedding set and cash amounting to R24 200.
“The police investigations are underway and we cannot rule out the possibility of bringing to book additional suspects and linking the arrested ones with more cases. All the suspects, including a woman (24), are expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on 22 December 2023,” he said.
Mokgwabone added that, in an endeavour to address aggravated robberies in line with one of the focus areas of the safer festive season operation Shanela, the suspects were arrested by a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Phokeng K9, Rustenburg Tactical Response Team (TRT), Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, District Operational Crime Combatting (OCCU), District Detective Task Team, Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation, Rustenburg Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), Crime Scene Investigation and Royal Bafokeng Security (RBP) on 20 December 2023.
Meanwhile, he North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police for their continued efforts to fight crime and sending out a clear message that the long arm of the law will neither be selective nor kind to those who commit crime.
He also thanked members of the community for their cooperation with the police to dismantle syndicates.
Four suspects aged between 19 and 47 briefly appeared before the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court for stock theft and possession of stolen livestock on 21 December 2023. This comes after the arrests of Tseko Molelekeng (19), Tshepo Mokoto (21), Lebogang Mosothoane (35) and Monesapula Puoengwe (47), while allegedly chasing the stolen sheep at the graveyard, in Chris Nahi Section on 19 December 2023.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, the police received a tip-off about the suspicious men who were seen chasing a sheep. Funani said further investigations led the police to Tswelelang Extension 17, Womaranstad, where they found the fourth suspect in possession of two suspected stolen sheep and two carcasses.
“The suspect was also arrested and charged after failing to account for the two sheep and the carcasses. They are expected to appear in Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court on 27 December 2023 for formal bail application,” she added.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police and members of the community for working together to ensure the recovery of the livestock, which was returned to its lawful owner.
The Guardian 