Monthly Archives: February 2024

SA U17 looking to secure a win away from home

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Picture: Under 17 players celebrating a goal/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African U17 Women’s National Team will be looking for a victory away from home on Sunday when they tackle Ethiopia in their first leg of round qualifiers for the prestigious 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

This match will be played at Abebe Bekila Stadium in Addis Ababa at 3pm local time, while the home leg for the South Africans will be played on 10 February 2024 at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria.

The head coach, Nthabeleng Modiko is confident that her players will put their best foot forward tomorrow and return home with the much-need away goals.

“We have done a lot of preparations for these matches over the past three weeks, and tomorrow is D-Day. The players understand the significance of these qualifiers and it is for them to really want to get to the World Cup now.

“South Africa will begin the quest of qualifying for their third participation in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, tomorrow against Ethiopia. We will need to win the two-legged qualifiers on aggregate to progress to the last round of African qualifiers to be played in June 2024,” she said.

The 2024 FIFA World Cup will be held in the Dominican Islands in October-November 2024.

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North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation backs Bafana Bafana ahead of AFCON quarterfinals against Cape Verde

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players against Tunisia

By OBAKENG MAJE

Fireworks are expected in the game against Cape Verde (Blue Sharks) and Bafana Bafana during AFCON quarterfinals in Ivory Coast on Saturday at 10pm (SA time).

North West Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said, Bafana Bafana will be bolstered by an army of fans from around the province. Sebolecwe said the department, Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation and the North West Parks and Tourism Board have joined hands to host free fan parks in each of the four districts for community viewing.

“South Africa is facing Cape Verde in the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Kick off is at 22:00. The fan parks will be at Mmabana Mahikeng, Huhudi Stadium in Vryburg, Kanana CAC, Klerksdorp and Mothutlung Community Hall, Brits.

“The last AFCON free fan parks were held in the province for the South Africa/Morocco encounter on Tuesday. The department has previously organised fan parks for the last two Rugby World Cup finals, both won by the Springboks,” he said.

Sebolecwe further said football fans are encouraged to wear Bafana shirts or national colours, bring flags and braai at the Mahikeng event. He added that, fans should also bring camp chairs and cooler boxes, but no bottles will be allowed.

“As a sports-loving province, we believe we have a role in propelling our national team to the highest level they can attain at international level. Players and coaches alike have testified about the value of the home support when they campaign out of the country, especially at international tournaments.

“So, we are calling on our communities to come to the fan parks to support the national team. We encourage people to wear their national colours whenever the team plays,” said Sebolecwe.

He said that there will be entertainment for those who will be at the fan parks. Sebolecwe said gates open at 1pm with Djs and performers.

The first 100 to come to the venue in Mahikeng will receive goodie bags from the Tourism Board.

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North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi addresses challenges at Masamane Primary School

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Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi addressing challenges at Masamane Primary School in Masamane village, outside Mahikeng/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi visited Masamane Primary School in Masamane village, outside Mahikeng on Thursday, to address concerns regarding administrative and infrastructural issues at the school.

Motsumi said the school has faced challenges such disbandment of School Governing Body (SGB), urgent appointment of General Assistants (AAs) and Administrative Assistants (GAs), lack of running water and proper ablution facilities, unfinished classroom blocks and an incomplete kitchen.

She met with parents and the tribal council during her visit.

“The tribal council played a crucial role in facilitating collaboration with a local businessman to expedite water provision. We expressed our appreciation for this proactive intervention.

“I am encouraged by the collaborative spirit demonstrated by the Masamane community in addressing the school’s challenges. Together, we can ensure a conducive learning environment for our children. Our department remains committed to providing the necessary support to achieve this goal,” said Motsumi.

She further said they are committed to ensure that, all learners in the province have access to quality education in conducive environments. Motsumi added that, they are working diligently to find solutions and will continue to monitor progress closely.

“While water is currently available at the school, it is undergoing testing to ensure its safety for human consumption. The meeting concluded with the decision to appoint a new contractor to complete the outstanding construction projects as contract with the current service provider has expired.

“The disbanded SGB will hold new elections during the national SGB elections to be held between 1 and 31 March 2024. Parents and community members were assured of the appointment and selection of a service provider to finalize the construction of ablution facilities, the kitchen, and a classroom block,” she said.

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94 undocumented suspects arrested for illegal gold-mining

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Picture: Some of materials seized during arrests/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 94 undocumented suspects were nabbed during a multi-disciplinary and crime intelligence driven, Operation Vala Umgodi that was conducted in Scheerpoort, near Hartbeespoortdam by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, National Intervention Unit (NIU), Special Task Force (STF), Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police (POP), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Airwing, Mounted Unit, Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), K9, Visible Policing, ER24 and Harmony Gold Mine security, pounced on 94 undocumented ‘illegal’ miners on 1 February 2024.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were arrested at a mountainous part of the farm, where illegal gold mining was reported to be taking place. Mokgwabone further said during the arrest, the team seized large quantities of gold-bearing material and 139 generators worth R1.3 million.

“Additionally, 24 grinders, 95 jackhammers, hammers, chisels, pick-axes, shovels, cutting torches, gas bottles, electric mills, phendukas and explosives were seized.

“The suspects who are mainly Zimbabwe and Mozambique foreign nationals, are expected to make a first appearance before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 5 February 2024,” he added.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the team for their commitment and cooperation that resulted in the arrests and seizures. Kwena said this will serve as a warning that, the police working with other stakeholders will leave no stone unturned in dealing with illicit mining.

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A man sentenced to 10 years for rape!

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (33) has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court for raping a woman (33). The incident took place at Borolelo Township, in Swartruggens, where the victim was accompanied Katlego Phillip Ngaletsane ferrying his friend.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma said, afterwards, they drove back but Ngaletsane stopped the vehicle next to the road and told the victim that one of the tyres had burst.

“Due to being afraid to walk alone, the woman asked the accused to accompany her to walk home. They were walking when the accused dragged the woman to a certain house and raped her. The victim was later released and reported the matter to the police.

“As a result, Ngaletsane was traced and arrested. He has been behind bars ever since his arrest,” she said.

Meanwhile, the District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Mmamotsamai Ntoagae, thanked the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Taola Makgotlho of Mogwase Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and all other role players, including prosecution for working together to secure the conviction, which he said will certainly serve as a lesson that Gender Based Violence will not be tolerated.

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Breaking News: A boyfriend allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend in Khibitswane

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A boyfriend allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend in Khibitswane village, near Taung in the early hours of the morning on Saturday in what looks like a domestic dispute.

This is a developing story and more details will follow.

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Four men nabbed for allegedly being in possession of pig carcasses

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Picture: The pig carcasses seized by police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

Four men aged between 29 and 33 have been arrested in the early hours of Thursday (1 February 2024) for stock theft by the Northern Cape Provincial Organized Crime Investigation Unit.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said the police were conducting investigation duties and tracing of wanted suspects in the vicinity of Barkley West at around 03:30am when they noticed a suspicious vehicle and decided to stop it.

“All the occupants tried to flee the scene and abandon their vehicle, but four of them were apprehended by the police. Upon further investigation, eight pig carcasses were found in the loading bin of the bakkie.

“None of the men could provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the ownership of the carcasses. All four suspects will appear in the Barkley West Magistrate’s Court soon,” she said.

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Bantwana arrive in Ethiopia with zest

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Picture: The Bantwana Bantwana coach, Nchabeleng Modiko/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African U17 Women’s National Team arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in high spirits on Wednesday night, ahead of their first leg of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier.

Bantwana will take on Ethiopia in the away leg on 4 February 2024 at the Abebe Bekilla Stadium, before heading back to Mzansi to prepare for the home leg on 10 February 2024.

The Bantwana Bantwana coach, Nthabeleng “Dunga” Modiko is confident of her troops and believes they have what it takes to come home with a much-needed victory.

Speaking to http://www.safa.net, Modiko emphasized the importance of this encounter, their mission to qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and the inclusion of an extra player to the squad.

“We missed out on the last U17 World Cup with loses to Ethiopia, so we have a score to settle. We are here to ensure that we give our best away from home to make the task a bit easier for us, when they travel to South Africa on 10 February 2024,” said Modiko.

The home leg will be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.

“We believe we have a good squad, with some great potential. We as the Technical staff have done all the groundwork and it is up to the players now to implement everything we have worked on in training over the past two and a half weeks.

“We are also very grateful to the association for allowing us to call up Nobahle Mdelwa from Spain. If you remember, she was one of two players who were selected to join the La Liga Academy through a partnership with COSAFA last September,” she said.

Modiko further said, unfortunately, they could not call up Sinazo Ntshota due to injury. She added that, Mdelwa arrived over the weekend and her football journey has inspired all the other players to dig deep because she is a living example of what football can do for a young girl child.

“She has also been very impressive in training, and her development showed in the two practices matches we had, so we are very happy to have her in the squad,” said Modiko.

The South African U17 Women’s National Team will have another two days of training to polish their skills ahead of the Sunday encounter.

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Police: “Refrain from circulating unverified information”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in the North West said it has noted with concern a post doing the rounds on social media platforms regarding the existence of a group that is alleged to be terrorising members of the community in Rondebult, Rooikraal, Northam, Lerome, Kraalhoek, Sefikile, Moruleng, Mokgalwane and Molatedi.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said they would like to indicate that, such incidents were not reported either at Mogwase or Madikwe police station. Mokgwabone said while they are concerned about aggravated robberies and other serious crimes in the province including in the policing precincts of the two stations, the post is false and misleading.

“The members of the community are once more urged to display responsible citizenry by refraining from circulating unverified information as this causes unnecessary strain and incites violence.

“Moreover, the public is requested to share any crime-related information with the police for prompt attention,” he said.

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