A man, 35, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for rape. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said on 7 September 2019 at around 11pm, the victim, 37, and her husband, were on their way home from a local tavern in Batlharos village, outside Kuruman when the incident happened.
“Eight unknown men chased after them and grabbed the husband, while the victim fled in another direction. The victim was accosted by another unknown man, who forcefully dragged her into a nearby house and raped her.
“The victim later left the premises, reported the incident to police and the suspect was arrested hours later. Mothusi James Mosimanyane was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment for rape,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded D/Cst Kentse Mokgosi of the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences(FCS) unit for the sterling detective work that led to the outstanding sentence.
Picture: The Upington acting Unit Commander for FCS, Warrant Officer Liezel Nte raised awareness on sexual offences, domestic violence and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Radio Riverside/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Upington acting Unit Commander for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS), Warrant Officer Liezel Nte, raised awareness on sexual offences, domestic violence and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Radio Riverside on 6 February 2024.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela, said Nte shared safety hints with the public in quest to avoid falling victims of sexual offences and also to protect the vulnerable group. Masegela further said Nte also explained the process of reporting, investigation by the unit and the court proceedings.
“Furthermore, she explained the process of victim and witness protection in such cases. Remember, forms of abuse in terms of the Domestic Violence Act of 1998 has been amended. Physical Abuse may include, but is not limited to shoving, slapping, punching, kicking, throttling and biting, assault with objects, guns, knives or any other dangerous weapon.
“The sexual abuse may include, but is not limited to rape, attempted rape and indecent assault, ongoing verbal abuse with sexual slurs such as bitch, whore, slut, etc. Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse may include, but is not limited to constant insults, ridicule or name calling,” she said.
Masegela added that, the emotional, verbal and psychological abuse include repeated threats of violence or death to cause emotional pain. She said the economic abuse may include, but is not limited to, the selling of shared property such as livestock or matrimonial houses without the consent of the victim.
“This includes accessing a joint bank account for personal use without the consent of the victim. Intimidation may include, but is not limited to written or verbal death threats, sending strange objects such beheaded dolls, small coffins, dead flowers or dead pets to the victim. Harassment may include, but is not limited to repeatedly watching the victim outside or near her/his house, workplace, school or business premises or any place where she/he happens to be.
“This includes constantly phoning the victim or causing another person to phone the victim, whether or not the caller speaks to the complainant. Stalking may include, but is not limited to constantly approaching the victim and asking or demanding to talk to her/him against her/his will,” said Masegela.
She said sexual crimes to be reported to the police include rape. Masegela said rape occurs when a person has sexual penetration with a victim without their consent.
“The law also makes it a crime for one person to force another person to rape a victim. This is known as compelled rape and sexual assault occurs when a person sexually violates the victim by, for example, touching the genital organ of the victim or causing the victim to touch his/her genital organ.
“The law makes it a crime for one person to force another person to sexually violate a victim. This is known as compelled sexual assault. Compelled self-sexual assault occurs when a person compels the victim to masturbate or engage in any form of self-sexual arousal or stimulation,” she said.
Masegela said when abuse occurs in a situation of trust, whether in the family, the church, in schools or elsewhere, the sense of betrayal is intensified.
“Nte reiterated that community members must always be each other’s eyes and ears and that they must report sexual offences cases as soon as possible. All victims will be treated with utmost respect and dignity,” she said.
Two suspects aged 29 and 40, are expected to appear before the Ottosdal Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for alleged fraud. The suspects were arrested by North West Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and Commercial Crimes Unit (CCIU)on 6 February 2024 in Ottosdal after being linked to a fraud case, which was registered at Ottosdal in September 2022.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, one of the suspects presented himself as a 64-year-old and took a funeral policy through the assistance of the suspect (40). Funani further said according to information, Itumeleng John Ngakaemang (64), was found stabbed and strangled to death at his residential place in Letsopa Township, outside Ottsdal on 25 September 2022.
“The investigations were conducted and Dorothy Moleleki (47), and other three suspects were apprehended after being linked to the murder of Ngakaemang. Preliminary reports suggested that, Moleleki and the other suspects, planned and conspired the murder of Ngakaemang to cash in from funeral policies that she took using Ngakaemang’s Identity Document.
“It is alleged that Moleleki, who is a well-known loan shark around Letsopa, targeted an old and sick Ngakaemang, who was one of her clients. She allegedly took Ngakaemang’s ID that was with her and opened policies using the suspect (29) to open some of the policies,” she said.
Funani added that Moleleki allegedly hired two suspects, Theuns Hayman (37) and Mike Phutiyagae (53) to kill the victim. She said Moleleki subsequently claimed the money from four different companies.
“The long arm of the law caught up with the four suspects in January 2023, after they were linked to the victim’s murder. They were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder, while Moleleki was also charged for fraud.
“The two suspects who will be appearing in court tomorrow, were also linked to the fraud case. The suspect (40) was an employee at one of the banks in Ottosdal,” said Funani.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the Anti-Gang Unit and Commercial Crimes Unit members for their sleepless nights and dedication that led to the arrests of the suspects.
Picture: Three suspects arrested for being in possession of protected plants worth R3.5m/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three men aged 23, 41 and 47 were arrested for being in possession of protected plants worth R3.5 million in Nieuwoudtville on 6 February 2024. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the police received a tip-off regarding the poaching of protected plants and made a follow-up.
Kock further said the police from Nieuwoudtville SAPS Visible Policing, Nieuwoudtville Detectives and the Oorlogskloof Nature Conservation personnel, allegedly caught the suspects red-handed with 518 Clavias Maribilius plants and 29 Clavias Maribilius seeds with a street value of R3 506 000 in Nieuwoudtville.
“The suspects will appear in the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the Nieuwoudtville SAPS, the Oorlogskloof Nature Conservation and the community for the outstanding success. Otola reiterated that robust community participation in the fight against crime is key and police, together with communities can and will win the fights against criminality.
A man (62) who was charged with 18 counts of fraud, 223 counts of forgery and uttering, including 223 counts of Contravention of Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011, found guilty by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 6 February 2024. During 2013 and 2016, Davida Marie De Wet unlawfully, falsely and with intent to defraud submitted forged VAT201 returns for Tax purposes. The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) suffered an actual loss of R985 136.72 as a result.
Thebe further said, the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, successfully investigated the matter and brought the matter before court.
“De Wet was sentenced to five years imprisonment for counts 1 to 18, which is fraud. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for forgery and uttering, which amount from count 19 to 223 and five years was suspended on condition that, he is not convicted of the same offense within the period of suspension.
“The accused will therefore serve 5 years in prison. De Wet was further declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Northern Cape, Major General Stephen Mabuela, appreciated the investigating and prosecutorial team for the conviction.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi visited a learner, who was injured in an accident/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi visited learners who were involved in an accident on Tuesday. Mosumi said the transport carrying 51 students from Gaetsho Secondary and J.M. Lekhetha High Schools, veered off the road resulting in 23 learners requiring hospital treatment (19 from Gaetsho Secondary School and 4 from J.M. Lekhetha High School)
“As of today, 7 February 2024, only one learner from Gaetsho Secondary School remains under medical supervision at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital in Mahikeng and a few others at General Delarey Hospital in Lichtenburg.
“We are deeply saddened by the accident. We visited both hospitals to monitor the progress and offered support to the families and learners affected by this tragedy. A department, we are committed to providing the necessary medical care and counselling services to all those involved,” she said.
Motsumi further said they urge the school community to remain united and supportive during this difficult time. She added that the safety and well-being of the learners is their top priority.
“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of this accident and ensure the implementation of necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said Motsumi.
She said the department will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. Motsumi further extended her gratitude to the North West Department of Health for its swift response.
A man (27) has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Barkley West Regional Court for raping a woman (24) in Holpan, near Windsorton on 29 January 2022. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, the victim who is from Barkley West, visited her friends in Windsorton for the day and later on requested to be ferried back home.
Sam said, however, friends refused and she ended up meeting the accused, Allister Gustav Fummers, who offered to accompany her to her aunt’s house in the same area.
“She could not gain access to her aunt’s place and ended up sleeping at her cousin’s shanty in the same yard. While she was sleeping, she felt someone sexually assaulting her and noticed that its the cousin’s friend, who accompanied her to the aunt’s house.
“She tried pushing him away, but the suspect overpowered her and continued raping her. She was rescued by her cousin from the accused and alerted the police,” said Sam.
Meanwhile, Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the Barkley West FCS , investigating officer Detective Sergeant George Mosime for the sterling investigation that secured a prison sentence for the perpetrator.
She said community is assured that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are brought to book and the police will continue to ensure that, GBVF victims are protected and feel safe.
The Kimberley police said they are delighted and pleased to inform the public that, Letitia Bucks (29) has been found and united with her family. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said Bucks, who resides at Wit pad Diamond park, Greenpoint in Kimberley, was last seen by her mom and congregants on 16 April 2023.
Sam said Bucks allegedly stepped out of church in Florianville, telling her mom she is going to the bathroom and did not return ever since.
“At the time, she was wearing a black and white tight dress, a pink and red hoody tracksuit jacket and white flops. However, the slim body with dark brown curly short hair, Bucks with an “L” shaped gold slit in her teeth, was found.
“The police wishes to thank the media for disseminating the missing person’s information and the public for alerting the police when they found her. The police will assist the family in obtaining the necessary assistance and support,” he said.
By OBAKENG MAJE The Electoral Commission has extended its gratitude to the millions of South Africans who heeded the call to use the registration weekends to register for the forthcoming National and Provincial Elections (NPE2024). The IEC spokesperson, Kate Bapela said the two registration weekends have given the country a growth of 1,2 million on the voters’ roll.
Bapela further said following these two registration drives, the voters’ roll now stands at 27.4 million. She added that, regarding the past registration weekend, over 2 060 754 citizens interacted with the Commission by either visiting the 23 303 voting stations or using the online voter registration portal.
“The interactions ranged from applying for registration as new voters or updating the registration details in the case of those already registered. Of the 2 million transactions recorded this past weekend, 457 384 or 22% were new entrants on the voters’ roll. A total of 1 606 370 or 88% inspected and updated their registration details.
“This is in line with the message that a voter must register and vote in the voting district where they reside, unless they notify the Commission of an intention to vote elsewhere. The applications at voting stations totalled 1 818 379, whereas the online applications gave a total yield of 240 789,” she said.
Bapela said in terms of the overall provincial outcomes, Kwazulu-Natal recorded 2510 670 transactions, Gauteng 452 596, the Eastern Cape comes in third at 305 460 transactions. She said regarding new registrations, 77% are young persons under the age of 29 entering the voters’ roll for the first time.
“New registrations for young person’s stands at 352 524. KwaZulu-Natal again leads with young person’s registration at 103 647 followed by Gauteng at 82 168 and in third is the Eastern Cape at 43 673. The gender split of the new registration is on this occasion, evenly split with female registrations accounting for 233 364, which is 51% whilst the male new registrations account for 224 020, which is 49%.
“As indicated, the voters’ roll now stands at 27.4 million. Gauteng remains the province with the biggest voting population at 6.4 million voters, followed by Kwazulu-Natal at 5.7 million, then the Eastern Cape at 3.4 million voters. The age category 20-29 at 4.3 million now represents 48% measured against the voting age population,” said Bapela.
She said the online registration portal has greater usage in the province of Gauteng at 99 522, followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 43 240 and the Western Cape at 33 822. Bapela said young persons under the age of 29 account for 47% usage of the online registration portal.
Bapela said females are more likely to use the online portal more than males do at 58% or 139 313.
“With two registration weekends under its belt, the Commission now turns its focus on ramping up preparations for the NPE 2024. The next phase of the electoral programme includes these important activities. The Commission is calling for submissions from interested parties on the distribution of the 200 regional seats of the National Assembly.
“The period for public submissions closes on 20 February 2024. The Commission will consider the submissions and representations together with data voter population data in each region to determine the spread of the 200 seats. This work is an important precursor to candidate nomination as it will enable political parties to know how many candidates they may field in each respective region to national list,” said Bapela.
She said the number of candidates on a list may not exceed available on any election segment. Bapela said, furthermore, following public consultation, the Commission has now determined the quantum of election deposits for those political parties and independents who intend to contest the forthcoming elections.
“A political party that contests the compensatory seats in the National Assembly and in all the nine regions will need to deposit an amount of R300 000. Furthermore, a political party will have to pay R50 000 for each of the provincial legislatures.
“A political party that contests the compensatory seats in the National Assembly and in at least one region will deposit R225 000 and R25 000 for each additional region. Independent candidates will deposit R20 000 for each region they contest and R 15 000 for the election of a provincial legislature,” she said.
Bapela said deposits are refunded to parties and independent representatives that win a seat. She said the Gazette can be found here (http://tinyurl.com/EAARegulations).
“The Commission will also imminently publish its determination of the number of seats in each provincial legislature. The determination also follows a period of public consultation and representation by interested parties as well as data related to population in each province.
“The Electoral Commission is pleased to announce that a portal to capture signatures supporting nomination to contest Elections NPE 2024 is now available for use by unrepresented political parties and independent candidates. Independent candidates must be supported by 1000 voters in a region or province in which they stand,” said Bapela.
She said unrepresented parties must be endorsed by the equivalent of 15% of the quota of votes per seat in the previous election for a region or provincial legislature they intend to contest. The link for the platform is https://online.elections.org.za/MyIEC.
Bapela said thry remind those voters who are still not registered to go online or visit the offices of the Electoral Commission in municipalities to register.
“Registration will remain open until proclamation of the election date. The Commission reminds eligible voters of the general rule in elections. That is, a person votes at a voting station where they are registered.
“The only exception to the general rule is that a voter may vote outside of the voting district of registration upon notification to Commission by a date to be regulated by the Election Timetable. Details of the modalities of notification will be outlined in the not-too-distant future,” she said.
Bapela said they remind the nation to use their SMS 32810 line to check their registration status. She said their Contact Centre on 0800 11 8000 remains available for basket of assistance to register.
“Our WhatsApp line: 0600 88 000 is also available to assist voters,” she said.
Picture: A man standing next to the Toyota Hilux that was stolen in Pampierstad/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Kimberley VCIU request the assistance of the public in tracing a person of interest in solving a vehicle theft case. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the preliminary investigations indicate that, the owner of a white Toyota Hilux bakkie with registration number BGS243NC, parked the said vehicle in his yard not far from his bedroom window in Pampierstad, before going to sleep on 26 March 2023.
Sam said the owner noted during the early morning hours of Monday (27 March 2023) that, his vehicle was not were he parked it. He further said the owner realised that his vehicle might have been stolen, so he reported the matter to the police.
“During investigations, it was noted that the vehicle made a stop at a filling station in Hartwater as purported in the pictures herewith Police are interested in locating the man seen around the vehicle at the filling station.
“The police do not have any information regarding his identity and therefore request the assistance of the public in identifying him. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Investigating Officer Detective Warrant Officer Morne Visagie at 083 456 5688 or 08600 10111 or sms annonymously to 32211 or via the MySAPS App. All information will be treated confidentially,” he said.
The Guardian 