Picture: Former HOD at North West Department of Health, Vuyo Mbulawa, Dr Lydia Sebego, service provider, Roulgh Lotwane Mabe and Former Head of Department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The fraud case against former North West Department Health’s Head, Dr Thabo Andrew Lekalakala (58), and his co-accused, Joseph Leshabane (61) has been postponed to 8 March 2024 for consultations. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the two were arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Units on 2 October 2023, around Mahikeng.

Mamothame said Lekalakala and Leshabane’s matter is linked to the case of the former Head of Department at the North West Department of Health, Lydia Keneilwe Sebego (63), Chief Director at the North West Department of Health, Vuyo Mbulawa (54) and a service provider, Roulgh Lotwane Mabe (69).

“The trio appeared before the court on 29 September 2023. The court granted Sebego a R10 000 bail, Mbulawa R20 000, and Mabe R100 000. The case has been combined and all the accused, including the two former HODs, will appear on the same date. The state is also expected to provide the defense attorneys with all the necessary documents by 9 February 2024 for consultations.

“Lekalakala is facing two charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and two of fraud. He was granted R10 000 bail, while Leshabane is charged with his company, Raliform Investment on six counts of fraud amounting to over R49 million and he was granted R50 000 bail,” he said.

Mamothame further said Sebego is facing two charges of Contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Mbulawa is facing ten charges of fraud, and Mabe is charged with six counts of fraud. He added that, during the years 2008 to 2009, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) sought to build two hospitals in Ledig (Moses Kotane Hospital) and Vryburg (Joe Morolong Hospital).

“A tender was subsequently awarded to MR Property (Pty)Ltd, a company belonging to Mabe. The charges against the two former heads of the department related to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that were signed between the two companies and their directors on services that needed to be rendered to the two hospitals.

“The said services were, however, not rendered, while these companies allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices, which were paid by the department after being authorised by Mbulawa. This allegedly led to a loss of over R86 million to the North West Department of Health, paid to Mabe’s company, and over R49 million paid to Leshabane’s company,” said Mamothame.

He said the state’s evidence further reveals that Sebego and Lekalakala, signed the SLAs, while they knew that the two companies were not compliant and did not meet the requirements.

Lekalala has a separate pending case, where he is charged with two counts of fraud and one of contravening the PFMA. Mamothame said he allegedly fraudulently awarded a contract for sourcing mobile clinics to Mediosa Health, a company linked to the Gupta family.

“He is out on R5000 and the matter is back in court on 12 February 2024 for further trial,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, lauded the prosecution and investigation team to ensure that the matter reaches the trial phase through their collaborative efforts.

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Picture: The initiates at the initiation school/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

Two men who are facing murder, two violations of corpses, and defeating the ends of justice, briefly appeared in the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court and abandoned their bail application. Obakeng Segwabe (19) and Olebogeng Mafora (21) were arrested for the alleged murder of two people after human bones were found in plastic in the bushes in Mosweu village, near Lehurutshe.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame, said after further investigation and linkages to three decomposed bodies that were discovered between December 2023 and January 2024 and that the deceased were part of the boys that were at the initiation school, three additional charges of murder were added.

Mamothame added that the deceased persons were allegedly starved and beaten to death.

“Their bodies were subsequently burnt. The police investigations, including the identification of the bodies through DNA, are underway, hence the non-disclosure of the deceased names. Further investigations also led to the arrest of Koketso Mmutlane (19), for defeating the ends of justice.

“He allegedly influenced Segabe and Mafora to lie about the legality of the initiation school and its activities, including the deaths. He is expected to appear before court on 9 February 2024, after being released on a warning,” said Mamothame.

He said Segwabe and Mafora’s case was postponed to 18 March 2024 for further investigations. Mamothame said the duo is currently in police custody.

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Picture: The suspended ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale    

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A rape case against embattled the ANC councillor in the City of Matlosana, Tebogo Sepale (43) has been postponed to 14 February 2024 by the Klerksdorp Regional Court for consultations before pre-trial conferencing. Sepale, who is allegedly suspended by the ANC is currently facing 11 charges.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said Sepale is facing two counts of statutory rape, three for the violation of a child with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape, and one for sexual intimidation. Mamothame further said Sepale is currently in police custody after he was denied bail.

“His 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,” said Mamothame.

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

Meanwhile, the ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi, disputed allegations that the ruling party had dismissed Sepale. Maloyi said he cannot confirm anything regarding Sepale because they have engaged the ANC’s Secretary General’s Office.

“You know that in the ANC, there is a constitution and as the ruling party, we need to follow suit. The unfortunate part is that we could not get hold of Sepale because he is incarcerated. Even if we would like to serve him with papers to appear before the disciplinary committee, he must be outside the prison.

“Our provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo has been interacting with the ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula because as the officials of the ANC, we believe that a certain action must be taken in order to ensure that the name of the ANC is not put in disrepute,” he said.

Maloyi said as soon as Mbalula responded, they would be able to communicate the decision.

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi visits North West School for the Deaf/Supplied   

By REGINALD KANYANE

North West School for the Deaf in Leeudoringstad, near Wolmaranstad, has made history by achieving a 66% pass rate during the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Matric results. The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said this is a remarkable achievement after ‘years of significant’ challenges.

Motsumi further said the achievement marks a significant turning point for the school and a testament to the dedication of its educators, learners, and partners. She added that she is delighted with the 2023 Grade 12 performance.

“I am incredibly proud of the North West School for the Deaf and its entire community for this groundbreaking accomplishment. This 66% pass rate is a beacon of hope for the school and its learners and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community across the province.

“It demonstrates the power of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence. The crucial role of partnerships in this success, commending the collaboration with the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation in providing sign language interpreters for Grade 12 learners,” she said.

Motsumi said the importance of continued support and noted that, while these learners passed on school endorsement, pursuing further education or vocational training can help them reach their full potential. She encouraged learners whom she regarded as ‘brilliant young minds’ to explore the rich opportunities available in the higher education sector, including vocational studies.

“These pathways can equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to society and achieve their individual aspirations. The school’s success story serves as an inspiration for other schools and institutions serving deaf and hard-of-hearing learners.

“It demonstrates the transformative power of inclusive education and targeted interventions in ensuring equal access to quality education and unlocking the potential of every learner,” said Motsumi.

In 2022, the Pan South African Language Board chairperson in North West, Goitsemodimo Seleka, said they visited the school and were shocked to find out its teachers do not know sign language.

“What is happening there undermines the rights of these learners enshrined in the constitution. These learners expect to be taught in the language they understand. Some languages are used as a medium of instruction in various schools.

“If the language that is used as a medium of instruction is English or Setswana, we expect the teachers to use it to communicate. It would be difficult if teachers who were supposed to use sign language at the school did not know the language,” he said.

Seleka then said this affected pupils and it was in evidence when one looked at the 2021 Grade 12 results at the school. “The school had six Grade 12 learners last year and only one passed. Even when you look at the results of that learner, they are not impressive.

“This happened because of the quality of education these learners received. It becomes difficult for these learners to further their studies. When you look at the statistics, almost one million people use sign language in the province, but only a few have junior degrees.” Seleka added that the communities that these pupils come from make it difficult to accommodate them. He said in the process, the deaf community felt excluded.

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