Picture: The ANC MP, Sibusiso Kula, who is charged with murder of his wife
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West High Court of South Africa sitting in Klerksdorp Regional Court, has set a trial date on a murder case against ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula (34) for 13-17 May 2024.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said during pretrial, where the matter made its first appearance, the state and the defence attorney confirmed their readiness to proceed with the trial, as all the necessary documents had been provided to the accused attorney.
Mamothame said Kula, who is currently out on R50 000 bail, granted by the North West High Court of South Africa, following his appeal on the Orkney Magistrate’s Court decision to deny him bail.
He further said Kula was ordered to surrender his passports, report twice a day at the nearest police station, provide the investigating officer with his work itinerary, report to the Investigating Officer, if he must move outside his residential jurisdiction and have no direct or indirect contact with his children.
“His bid to have the case struck off the roll was previously rejected by the court. The police reports reveal that, Kula’s wife, Jennifer Mohlomi, was found murdered on 27 November 2022, in what seemed like a robbery. She was found with a stab wound on her back, but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered.
“The matter was reported by the medical facility, where she was allegedly transported by the accused to receive medical attention. The accused told the police that he was not present at his home when the incident occurred,” he said.
Mamothame added that, following thorough investigations by the police, he was linked to the alleged murder and was arrested on 20 January 2023 and charged with murder, defeating the ends of justice, contravention of the Domestic Violence Act, making false statements and affidavits and conspiracy with any other person to aid or procure the commission of murder.
Setshwantsho: Mongwe wa banna ba ba belaelwang ka kgothoso o ne a siela kwa OK
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Monna mongwe o belaelwang ka kgothoso, go begwa fa a tlogetswe ka manokonoko morago ga go thuntsiwa. Go begwa fa banna ba le bane, ba ne ba leka go kgothosa monna mongwe mo toropong ya Taung, gaufi le lebenkele la OK ka letsatsi la Tshipi mo motshegareng.
Go ya ka mongwe wa bo maratahelele are: “Monna o, one a tswa ntlheng ya Build It fa a ne a kgorogelwa ke banna ba le bane. Banna ba le babedi, ba tlile ba mo setse morago, fa ba bangwe ba le babedi ba ne ba tsamaya fa pele ga gagwe. Banna ba ba neng ba mo setse morago, ba ne ba ikakatlela ka mometso wa gagwe.
“Ba ne ba mo tseela dilwana tsa gagwe tsa botlhokwa jaaka mogala wa letheka le kgetsana e go belaelwang ene e tsentse madi. Fela, monna yo, one a ntsha sethunya, mme a thuntsa mongwe wa banna ba. Go begwa fa monna o thuntsitsweng, one a siela kwa lebenkeleng la OK a phokga-phokga madi.”
Go ya ka maratahelele o, o kaile fa mongwe wa banna ba ba ditsotsi a ne a neela rasethunya o mogala wa gagwe wa letheka le go kopa gore a se mo thuntse. Seo se ne sa diragala morago ga go lemoga gore mong ka ene o mo matsading a sethunya.
Go begwa fa rasethunya o, ane a tsaya sethunya sa gagwe a wela tsela, mme a tlogela monna o a mo thuntshitseng ka manokonoko.
Go begwa fa monna o thuntshitsweng, a ne a rwalelwa kwa bookelong jwa Taung ke embulense, mme a fitisetswa kwa bookelong jwa Tshepong kwa Klerksdorp ka ntlheng ya dikgobalo tse a di boneng.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, o setse a kokwanya dintlha mo kganyeng e, mme o kaile fa a tla boela go Taung DailyNewsmoragonyana.
A man (42) who allegedly kidnapped and killed Pauline Nkanyane (55) is expected to appear in Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Monday. It is alleged that the suspect allegedly kidnapped Nkanyane, who was on her way to work at Swartklip Mine, in Manamakgoteng village, outside Mogwase in the early hours of Sunday morning (21 January 2024).
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly drove to Acornhoek in Mpumalanga with the victim, whose vehicle was found in Manamakgoteng. Mokgwabone further said as a result, a missing person inquiry was registered, but changed to kidnapping after the suspect demanded a ransom.
“Upon realising that the ransom plan was failing, the suspect allegedly killed the victim, whose body was found by a passer-by along the R36 road in Moraba village between JJ Strydom tunnel and Ohringstad in Limpopo Province on 25 January 2024.
“A crime intelligence-driven operation by Mogwase Detectives and the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit led to the arrest of the suspect in Acornhoek in Mpumalanga on 27 January 2024 for kidnapping. The police found the suspect in possession of a 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number,” he said.
Mokgwabone added that the police cannot rule out the possibility of effecting more arrests.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the entire team for their dedication. Kwena also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives and assured them that, the police will continue to work hard to ensure that justice is served.
As a nation that fought and defeated apartheid, we have a particular obligation to stand up for justice and fundamental human rights for all people, everywhere. It is this obligation that informed our application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt the violence unleashed by Israel on the Gaza Strip.
The Genocide Convention was unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, one of the worst crimes in modern history. Having witnessed the mass extermination of six million Jews and millions of other victims of the Nazis, the world came together to prevent such atrocities from occurring again.
As a signatory to that convention, South Africa carries a responsibility, like other states that are signatory to the convention, to prevent acts of genocide wherever they occur. It was in fulfilment of this responsibility and to prevent further civilian deaths and destruction that South Africa took this case to the court.
The International Court of Justice listened to the South African case and in turn also listened to the Israeli case. In its order handed down last week, the ICJ found that it is plausible that Israel has committed acts that are in violation of the Genocide Convention to which South Africa, Israel and many other countries are signatories.
The International Court of Justice ruled that the State of Israel shall, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of this Convention, in particular: killing members of Palestinians group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to Palestinians; deliberately inflicting on Palestinians conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction in whole or in part; and imposing measures intended to prevent births of Palestinian children.
The court further ruled that the State of Israel shall ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts set out above. The State of Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip. In effect, the court said that the steps Israel claims to be taking in respect of international law are insufficient.
On the issue of humanitarian assistance, the court ruled that the State of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The court further directed the State of Israel to take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of the Convention on the Crime of Genocide against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip. The court also ruled that Israel should submit a report within a month on all measures taken to give effect to the court’s order.
Criticism of the atrocities committed by the Israeli military is not directed at any religious or ethnic group, and cannot simply be dismissed as antisemitism. Nor can our case before the ICJ be said to diminish the enormity of the Holocaust. On the contrary, it is the experience by humanity of the Holocaust and other acts of genocide that motivates our efforts to prevent anything of this nature from happening again.
As government we have been consistent about the application of international law. We have been equally consistent in condemning the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023 and in calling for the release of hostages still being held in Gaza. Yet, as we argued in our case before the ICJ, this attack on civilians in Israel cannot justify the subsequent acts committed by the Israeli military against the residents of Gaza.
This court application is about the Palestinian people; their suffering, the deprivation of their rights, and the denial of their right to self-determination. Yet, in bringing this application we are seeking to reinforce, protect and advance the rights of all people at all times.
The unprecedented onslaught against the people of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli military is an assault on all those who believe in justice, human rights and respect for international law.
As South Africa, we have called these genocidal acts that the international community has a duty to halt and hold Israel accountable for. As South Africans who are committed to peace, justice and human rights, we are proud to stand on the right side of history.
The eminent novelist Primo Levi, himself a Holocaust survivor, wrote: “As long as there is suffering in the world, our duty to remember is not fulfilled.”
If the slogan ‘Never Again’ is to offer hope for humankind, the lessons of not just the Nazi Holocaust, but all forms of genocide, must be practically and consistently applied.
At the time they were committed, and despite glaring evidence, there were those who claimed they were unaware of the extent of the horrors committed by the Nazis or others like the Bosnian Serb armed forces or the Interahamwe in Rwanda. In our own country there were also those who feigned ignorance about apartheid and its true impact on our people.
A genocide is unfolding in the Gaza Strip and we have a moral duty to act.
Let it be recorded in the history books that the democratic South Africa was not among those who shut their eyes or claimed they didn’t know.
I call on all South Africans to rally behind our call for justice for the Palestinian people, and for a negotiated settlement that will bring about a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
This cause is a reminder to us all that justice for only some is justice for none.
Picture: Grade 12 learner, Tshiamo Noge who is wheelchair-bound after achieving three distinctions/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A former Grade 12 learner, Tshiamo Noge (18) at Tlamelang Special School in Gelukspan, outside Mahikeng said he is happy to achieve three distinctions in 2023, despite his disability. Despite facing physical challenges and utilizing a wheelchair, Noge achieved three distinctions in Business Studies, Life Orientation, and Setswana, showcasing remarkable determination and resilience.
He originates from Agisanang Township in Sannieshof and emphasised that, his disability did not hinder his pursuit of dreams. In addition to his distinctions, Noge attained level six in English and Accounting.
“My inspiring journey reminds me that, being disabled does not equate to being unable. So, I would like to encourage others to reach for their aspirations without letting disability stand in the way. I would also like to express gratitude and acknowledge the invaluable support of my teachers.
“I would like to credit their patience and understanding towards my success. I did not allow my disability to stop my dreams and I want to tell people that, being disabled does not mean you are incapable,” he said.
Noge further said his focus now is to reach for the sky. He added that his family and teachers understood his weaknesses and helped him in everything.
“Looking ahead to the 2024 academic year, I aim to improve my Mathematics results and pursue a commercial qualification. I hope my success story serves as an inspiration for other learners facing obstacles in their educational journey,” said Noge.
The deputy principal at Tlamelang Special School, Gerald Komape, described Noge as a humble learner from a supportive family. Komape said, that despite being an introvert, Noge’s intelligence shone through, especially in Mathematics.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “We would like to congratulate Noge and his achievement serves as motivation for young people facing challenges in completing Grade 12. Noge is a motivation to many who think passing Grade 12 is impossible.
“He showed that dedication and commitment can overcome any obstacle. I wish this serves as a motivation to all learners, who are controlled by fear to learn from Noge’s dedication. He is a testament that with determination, nothing is impossible.”
Motsumi encouraged others to learn from Noge’s experience.
Picture: The late North West businessman, Wandile Bozwana
By CHINA DODOVU
After the judgement was delivered on Friday, 26 January 2024 on the case of Wandile Bozwana, I shed tears of joy. It has been 9 years since he was brutally murdered and his killers arrested, charged and prosecuted.
Without blowing my trumpet and doing breast beating bravado, I stood firm with the family and some few of Wandile Bozwana’s friends and comrades who remained. Even when I was suspended and unemployed, without money, I attended many of the trials on this case. That’s when I remembered an old adage: “when it is dark, friends are few”.
Despite my busy schedules after my deployment in parliament, I remained part of the court proceedings, making time to attend. I sometimes asked myself questions. Where were the friends and comrades who were assisted and empowered by Wandile? Why were they not supporting the family even at the hour of need, including when his mother was brutally murdered?
In one of the criminal proceedings on this matter, I was personally summoned by judged, who rebuked me harshly for taking pictures of the accused. He made me stand before him and in full view of everybody, asked me questions. I had to profusely apologise to the Lordship as I was not aware that taking pictures was not permitted in court and he had issued an order prohibiting such without his permission.
I remember in 2015, I penned an open letter to Chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng and other 10 justices of the Constitutional Court. In the letter I pleaded with them to ensure that justice was seen to be done on his murder. Bozwana’s assassination came three days after he had requested me to attended a case on his behalf at the ConCourt.
In part, the letter I wrote read as follows:
“On Tuesday, September 29, 2015, I visited for the first time the Constitutional Hill, where I attentively listened to brilliant legal arguments in the matter involving the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) and Others [applicant] versus Tsoga Developers and others who included Wandile Bozwana [respondents].”
“Three days later, on Friday October 2, 2015, the body of Wandile Bozwana, [the respondent] was lying motionlessly in the streets of Pretoria in the lake of blood, where he succumbed, bleeding under the cruelty of his assassins, the hit men,” he said in the letter.
“I am painstakingly writing this letter to you with tears rolling down my face, asking myself if the motive for killing Wandile Bozwana has any connection with the matter you presided over three days before his assassination or what? As you interrogate this matter which you reserved, I urge you to also ask yourselves the same question.”
The judgement on Friday, 26 January 2024 reminds me not only the old adage “when days are dark, friends are few”, but it also made me loudly sing the 1986 song “That’s What Friends Are For”, by Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight.
Personally, Wandile Bozwana was my true friend and comrade, spawning many years since 1994 immediately after the advent of our constitutional democracy. Together with some SASCO and ANC Youth League leaders, we became close and our friendship grew in lips and bounds.
When I was arrested and prosecuted on the trumped-up charges of murder and conspiracy to murder in 2015, he stood by me. Together with TP “McGyver” Mokasule, Pule Ramasimong and other few friends, supported me emotionally and financially. In fact, they even settled my legal fees at the time when I was suspended from the ANC and unemployed. How can I forget that moment of despair?
The remaining two friends continue to do the same. I will forever be indebted to them as they remain true and loyal friends. I pray that they remain the same and never give up to support others, despite some turning their backs on them at the time of need.
I derive this spirit of resilience and appreciation from President Nelson Mandela, who after his release from prison in 1990, was interviewed by Ted Coppel on the famous Town Hall Meeting in the United States. In the face of unwarranted gruesome attack for his association with leaders the US government disliked and declared terrorists, Madiba said:
“Fidel Castro, Murmmur Gaddafi and Yasser Arafat are my comrade-in-arms. They remain loyal and true to the course to liberate South Africa from apartheid rule and to create a united, democratic and non-racial country. They supported our struggle to the teeth not only by rhetoric but also by placing resources at our disposal.”
As Madiba concluded this issue, he said: “my friends cannot be your friends, and our enemies cannot be my enemies.”
As I pointed out, after the judgement was delivered successfully on Friday, convicting the murderers of Bozwana, I became nostalgic and shed the tears of joy.
After this judgement, May the Spirit of Wandile Bozwana rest in peace!
A trial for an arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung will resume today at Taung Magistrate’s Court. The trial commenced on 16 until 18 October 2023 and was postponed.
The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Ali Sakiele (50), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32), who were arrested and charged for arson.
The seven accused were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation.
In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses, and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family. They accused the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (32) of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”
Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder and the case is still pending.
The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Longaneng village near Taung, where Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched him. They allegedly transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.
The police are pleading with the public to assist them in locating the relatives of an unknown man who was allegedly found hanging from a tree in the veld along the Barkly road, Bloemanda on 28 November 2023.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, the body has since not been claimed and police are still pleading to the public to assist in locating the family of the deceased.
“The deceased was wearing a blue and grey coloured overall, with dark spectacles. The police do not have any information regarding his identity hence requested the assistance of the public in identifying the deceased.
“Anyone with information is urged to visit Galeshewe SAPS or contact Detective Sergeant Isaac Motlabi at 082 469 0546 or 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App. All information will be treated confidentially,” he said.
Picture: The police conduct stop and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 369 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela for various crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft out of motor vehicle and illegal possession of firearms.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Timothy Sam said this includes illicit mining, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as undocumented illegal immigrants.
“The suspects were also apprehended for stock theft and illegal possession of ammunition. The actions and police activities executed during the operations included, Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling.
“Several VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which a total of 3194 vehicles and 5657 persons were stopped and searched. Numerous compliance inspections at secondhand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were also executed,” he said.
Sam further said Operation Shanela is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation, which commenced on 25-28 January 2024 with a focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes.
“More than 109 daily wanted suspects were also traced and brought to book for evading court appearances and contravention of court orders.
“The police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs, non ferrous metal items and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for the collective efforts and actions executed during this period. She commended the community for their support and being whistle-blowers by reporting crime.
Picture: The illicit mining equipment seized by the police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 16 suspects were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act and Illicit Mining Act in Kleinsee on 26 January 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said numerous illicit mining equipment, including generators, jack hammers, drills, bags with diamond bearing gravel, sieves, shovels, crushers and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime were confiscated.
Sam said the suspects were arrested during a joint Operation Vala Umgodi between South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
“The law enforcement agencies are relentless in combating illicit mining activities. The suspects will appear in the Port Nolloth Magistrate’s Court on 29 January 2024.
“The police will continue to disrupt illegal mining activities in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders,” he said.
The Guardian 