A man (37) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court after raping a woman (22) in Batlharos village, outside Mothibistad. On 30 March 2019 at around 2am, the victim who was visiting her friend, went out to relieve herself in the backyard.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the suspect, Gomotsegang Reginald Modungwe who is affectionately known as Waga, accosted her. Kock said Waga forcefully took her into the toilet of a nearby house, where he severely assaulted her with his fists and stabbed her in the face.
“He instructed her to undress and raped her before locking her up inside a room. The victim managed to escape the following morning and alerted the police. Modungwe was arrested and remained in custody until he was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the life sentence that was handed down to Modungwe and reiterated that, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) remains a priority crime and the police will continue to sharpen their responses to crimes committed against the most vulnerable in society.
Otola applauded D/Sgt Jamine Armstrong of the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences(FCS) unit for her meticulous investigation that ensured no impunity is granted to the perpetrator of this heinous crime.
Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha
By OBAKENG MAJE North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said his department will this week (6-10 February 2024), observe the STI/Condom Week which is an initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the importance of practicing safe and protected sex.
Sambatha said the campaign encourages people, especially young adults to use condoms and prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spreading of Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs) like HIV/AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhoea.
Reflecting on the departmental commemorative plans, he further said it was pivotal to raise awareness about the significance of condoms and educate people on safe sex, especially young adolescents and teenagers.
“STDs are one of the major causes of death in the world. Teen pregnancies and unplanned pregnancies are also a big concern. This week reminds us of the importance of using condoms and practicing safe sex.
“The year 2024 marks almost 170 years since rubber condoms were used for the first time. Condoms are one of the few contraceptive methods that provide 98% protection from sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies,” he said.
Sambatha added that, everyone who is sexually active, should engage in conversations about safe sexual practices with their partners and to use condoms correctly whenever they have sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
He said using condoms is a form of self-care and a way to contribute to public health.
“Everyone has the right to make important decisions about their own sexual health and partners need to engage in open and honest conversations about safer sex practices as this will lead to healthy and enjoyable experiences.
“An STI is an infection passed from one person to another person through sexual contact. An infection is when a bacteria, virus, or parasite enters and grows in or on your body. STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs,” said Sambatha.
He said some STIs can be cured and some STIs cannot be cured. Sambatha said for those STIs that cannot be cured, there are medicines to manage the symptoms.
“Some STIs are most common STDs such as Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Many people with HPV do not develop any symptoms, but can still infect others through sexual contact. Chlamydia is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women.
“It can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb). Genital herpes is sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and sores,” he said.
Sambatha said it is caused by the herpes simplex virus and the disease can affect both men and women. He said pain, itching and small sores appear first.
“They form ulcers and scabs. After initial infection, genital herpes lies dormant in the body. Symptoms can recur for years. Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoea bacterium. Gonorrhoea infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men.
“HIV or the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system,” said Sambatha.
He said this makes it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers. Sambatha said syphilis is a preventable and curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI).
“If untreated, it can cause serious health issues. Syphilis in pregnancy may lead to stillbirth, newborn death and babies born with syphilis (congenital syphilis). It is important for individuals to go to the clinic for treatment if one suspect any signs and symptoms.
“Treatment for STIs and provision of condoms is given free of charge at primary healthcare clinics across the province. Most STIs are easily treated and can be cured. Public health facilities throughout the province will continue to educate the public about safe sexual practices and provide voluntary screening for STIs,” he said.
Sambatha said a provincial event will be convened in the Bojanala District later this month.
Picture: The drugs confiscated by police during arrest/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 814 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela for numerous crimes across the North West province. The North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma said the arrested suspects included 47 for drug related offences, 20 for illegal dealing in liquor, 30 for driving under the influence of liquor, two for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Botma further said 165 arrests were made for serious and violent crimes that included murder, for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and 62 assault common and rape.
She added that, of the 814 suspects, 271 suspects were arrested during detective suspect raiding operations.
“Moreover, 30 suspected undocumented persons were handed over to the Immigration Officials for further processing. The operations also led to confiscations of numerous alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, a variety of drugs, four dangerous weapons, 12 cell phones, 4 handguns and 4 vehicles.
“In of one of the arrests on 4 February 2024, the vigilant members of Vryburg police station arrested a man (43) at the Taxi rank with 498 tablets suspected to be mandrax as well as a silver plastic bag containing a substances suspected to be Crystal Meth,” said Botma.
She said suspect is expected to appear today in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court for charges relating to Drugs and Drug trafficking Act, 1992 (Act No. 140 of 1992).
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police and all other role players for their continued and collaborative efforts to ensure that he those who perpetrate crime are brought to book.
The Director of Batsha Ba Tiro Financial Management (Pty) LTD Marius Augustine Bocks (54) and his company (juristic person), pleaded guilty for Contravention of the Tax Administration Act. Bocks briefly appeared before the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 2 February 2024.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said, during 2018 and 2019, Batsha Ba Tirong Financial Management Pty (LTD) t/a Batsha Ba Tirong Security Services submitted fraudulent IRP5 certificates to South African Revenue Service (SARS) claiming company income tax returns.
“The company had no employees and therefore was dormant under the tax period 2018/2019 for which it falsely claimed corporate income tax. The South African Revenue Service nearly suffered a total loss of R21 million.
“An intensive investigation by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused. Batsha Ba Tiro Financial Management was fined R200 000 00, whilst Bocks was sentenced to pay a fine of R600 000 or to face five years direct imprisonment,” she said.
Monna wa dingwaga di le 47 o latofadiwang ka go thuntsa lekgarebe la gagwe, Nde Emphukile (38), o tlhotse a tlhageletse kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Kabelo Mogongwa yo o lebaganeng le kgetsi ya polao, o buseditswe kwa ntlo-lefitshwaneng, mme kgetsi ya gagwe e buseditswe morago go fitlha di 12 Tlhakole 2024.
Go begwa fa Mogongwa le Empukile, ba ne ba dula botlhe kwa phaphosing e e hirilweng kwa motseng Khibitswane, gaufi le Taung.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Aaftje Botma, moagisani wa monna o, o ile a tlhalosetsa sepodisi fa baratani ba, ba gorogile ka ura ya bongwe mo mosong, mme go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano ma gareng ga bone.
“O kaile fa a utlwile modumo wa sethunya. Sepodisi se ile sa biletswa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme se ile sa fitlhela moswi mogare ga bophadiphadi jwa madi.
“Sepodisi se ile sa tlhoka gore ba shage burglars gore ba kgone go tsena mo ntlung. Molatofadiwa o ile a tshwarwa, mme o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno,” Botma wa tlhalosa.
The South African U17 Women’s National Team lost 0-3 to Ethiopia away from home in the first leg of their 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier out in Addis Ababa on Sunday afternoon. A 10th minute goal by Mahelet Mitiku managed to unsettle the South Africans and saw them struggling to get into the game, while two defensive errors allowed Hidat Kasu to score a brace in the 19th and 72nd minutes of the match.
The South Africans seemed a bit more settled in the second half, but failed to get into the final third of the Ethiopian box. Bantwana Bantwana Head coach, Nthabeleng “Dunga” Modiko, believes that her side still has a chance to redeem themselves, when the two sides meet again next 10 February 2024 for the second leg in South Africa.
“This was a lovely game to watch and congratulations to Ethiopia on the victory. We made mistakes that cost us the game, and we will go back home and work on those areas before next weekend’s match.
“The South African U17 Women’s National Team will travel back home tomorrow morning to continue preparations for the second leg. The second leg against Ethiopia will be played on Saturday 10 February 2024 at Lucas Moripe Stadium and kick off is scheduled for 3pm,” she said.
Last week, I launched the first export shipment of goods produced by South African companies destined for other African countries under the preferential trade provisions of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from the Durban port.
We can expect many more products and many more shipments to follow as South African companies sell South African made goods into the massive African free trade area. Exports to AfCFTA countries already account for nearly a quarter of South Africa’s global exports. This figure will now increase quite dramatically.
South African companies have a great opportunity to take advantage of the AfCFTA by exporting their goods into the rest of the African continent. In order to take this great opportunity up, as a country we need to ensure that our products make it from the factory gate onto the ship and head towards their destinations with the least possible delay and at the lowest possible cost.
For some years now the efficiency and competitiveness of our ports and rail network have been in decline. In order to give our companies the ability to take up these export opportunities we need to fix our logistics architecture.
Transnet, which operates our ports and freight rail lines, has had to contend with severe challenges, including the effects of state capture, the impact of the COVID pandemic, natural disasters and rising levels of theft and vandalism of its infrastructure. As a result, the volume of goods transported on our rail network has decreased significantly, forcing more companies to use trucks and causing congestion on our roads.
Working together with the private sector, we are turning the situation around, guided by the Freight Logistics Roadmap that was crafted by Transnet, government and social partners. The roadmap outlines a clear set of actions to stabilise and improve Transnet’s performance in the short term and to fundamentally reform the logistics system in the long term.
To ensure this work receives dedicated attention, we established the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), which is chaired by the Presidency and brings together all of the relevant government departments to drive a coordinated response to the logistics challenges.
We have also established Corridor Recovery Teams which bring Transnet, the private sector and independent experts together to improve the performance of strategic rail and port corridors.
This single-minded approach to improving performance is already showing results. For example, the number of ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban – which has experienced severe congestion in recent months – reduced from more than 60 ships in mid-November to just 12 ships at the end of January.
At the Port of Cape Town, which is preparing for the important fruit season, Transnet has deployed new leadership and is putting in place several measures to improve its capacity in the short term. Seven new cranes, which are used for moving and stacking containers, were delivered to the port last month, and the number of work shifts is being increased to improve vessel turnaround times.
In addition to these short-term measures, the Freight Logistics Roadmap includes far-reaching reforms to modernise our logistics system and enable much greater investment in infrastructure. These reforms will introduce private sector investment and competition in port and rail operations, improving efficiency and bringing down prices, while ensuring that infrastructure remains owned by the state.
A key milestone in this reform journey will be the implementation of ‘open access’ to the freight rail network, which will allow private rail operators to invest alongside Transnet Freight Rail for the first time.
Another key step is the introduction of strategic partnerships in container terminals, which will enable new investment to expand port capacity and upgrade equipment. Progress has already been made with the appointment by Transnet of an international container terminal operator for the Durban Pier 2 terminal. Transnet will retain 51% ownership of the terminal and no workers will lose their jobs once the partnership is established. The private partner will have full management responsibility for the terminal and will contribute both capital and expertise to improve its performance.
The process of reform takes time and there are no quick solutions to the challenges facing Transnet. However, the steps we are taking now will not only improve performance in the immediate term, but will also create a truly competitive and efficient system into the future.
This week’s Mining Indaba in Cape Town will showcase the enormous potential of the mining industry to drive economic growth and job creation. The actions underway to improve the logistics system will help us to unlock this potential, given that mining companies depend on the rail network and ports to compete in global markets.
From the work already underway, we have shown that it is possible to overcome the barriers to growth by working together in partnership. We are building momentum and have begun to see the results.
As more and more of our products leave our shores, whether to the African continent or other parts of the world, more companies will thrive, more investment will be made and more and more jobs will be created.
Monna wa dingwaga di le 47 o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno, morago ga dipego tsa gore o thuntsitse lekgarebe la gagwe, Nde Emphukile (38). Go begwa fa lekawana le lekgarebe la gagwe ba ne ba dula botlhe kwa phaphosing e e hirilweng kwa motseng Khibitswane, gaufi le Taung.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Aaftje Botma, moagisani wa monna o, o ile a tlhalosetsa sepodisi fa baratani ba, ba gorogile ka ura ya bongwe mo mosong, mme go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano ma gareng ga bone.
“O kaile fa a utlwile modumo wa sethunya. Sepodisi se ile sa biletswa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme se ile sa fitlhela moswi mogare ga bophadiphadi jwa madi.
“Sepodisi se ile sa tlhoka gore ba shage burglars gore ba kgone go tsena mo ntlung. Molatofadiwa o ile a tshwarwa, mme o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno,”
A tavern owner (39) has been arrested for operating illegal liquor outlet on 1 February 2024. The police conducted an entrapment operation and during the search at the premises, the police found music equipment, pool games and liquor to the estimated value of R6150.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the Upington police received a tip-off about an alleged illegal liquor outlet operating in the Lambrechsdrift area.
“The police confiscated all the liquor and the owner was arrested. He was charged for Contravention of the Northern Cape Liquor Act. The suspect is expected to appear in court on 9 February 2024.
“The police sent a stern warning against illegal trading in liquor, including concoctions from different premises including tuck shops,” he said.
The police in Brits said they have found the missing Maryanne Venter (16) from Bokfontein, outside Brits. Venter went missing 2 February 2024. North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma said a search was conducted in the surrounding areas, but that did not yield positive results.
“At the time of her disappearance, it cannot be confirmed what she was wearing. She has brown eyes, with a large built body, 1.58m in height with dark brown hair. Fortunately, she was found on Sunday.
The Guardian 