Monthly Archives: February 2024

Bakgweetsi ba ditekesi ba ngadile renke ya Taung ka ntlheng ya bogodu jo bo diragalang mo go yone

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Setshwantsho: Renke ya ditekesi ya Taung

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Seemo se tlhotse se tswile mo taolong kwa renkeng ya ditekesi ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Seno se tla morago ga gore bakgweetsi ba ditekesi ba ntshe ditekesi tsa bone kwa renkeng ya Taung, mme ba tlhalose fa ba dira seno gonne, digongwana tsa bosinyi di tsweleditse bosenyi mo renkeng fela sepodisi se itshetse moriti o tsididi.

Go ya ka mongwe wa bakgweetsi ba ditekesi, Isaac Itumeleng are baagi ba kgothosiwa, mme ba tseelwe dilo tsa bone tse ba tswang go di rekang kwa marekelong. Itumeleng are mo godimo ga moo, dilo tse di diriwa ke basimanyana ba ba gogang nyaope.

“Renke ya rona e leswe, mme masepala wa rona o mogolwane wa Taung, ga o e phephafatse. Se sengwe ke gore, boeteledipele jwa rona bo palelwa ke go re direla sentle ga mmogo le sepodisi. Re lobaka re bua le baeteledipele ba rona ba re ba tlhopileng, mme ba dula ba re tshepisa fela ga go diragale sepe.

“Mo dibeleng tse pedi tse di fetileng, re ile ra gwantela kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Taung, mme sepodisi se ile sa re tshepisa gore se tla re araba mo diureng di le 24,” Itumeleng wa tlhalosa.

Itumeleng are morago ga moo, sepodisi ga se a dira sepe, mme ba tsweletse go mo letsetsang. Itumeleng are jaanong e nna e kare ke ene a tshimolotseng tlhakatlhakano. 

“Ka mokgwa o basimanyana ba ba nyaope ba re nyaditseng ka teng, ba kgona go ya go dira botsotsi mo gare ga toropo, ba be ba siela mo renekeng. Jaanong, sepodisi se tshwaya rona phoso, gonne ba re re sireletsa segongwana se sa disinyi.

“Bare fa basimanyana ba ba tsena mo renkeng, re lotsa melodi le go ba itsise gore mapodisi ke ao. Gape, ba re fa basimanyana ba ba rekisa dilo tse di utswitsweng, ke rona bo ra ditekesi re di rekang. Jaanong, re tlile go tsena fela mo teng ga renke e fa boeteledipele jwa rona bo tshekegetse ditletlebo tsa rona tsebe,” Itumeleng wa tlhalosa.

Mongwe wa batho ba ba tshamekang ditaese kwa renkeng ya ditekesi, Kgakololo Koji are ene ga a na bothata, ebile o ema borra ditekesi nokeng ka go lwa kgatlhanong le bosinyi. Fela Koji o latofaditse bangwe ba bakgweetsi ba ditekesi ka go dirisana le digongwana tsa bosinyi.

“Nna ke tsameka ditaese mo renkeng, mme ka ledinyana leo, ke tlhokomela lelapa laka ka lone. Fela, se se diragalang mo renkeng, ke a se tshegetsa le go se ema nokeng. Mme ke tla go setotobaletsang gore, bangwe ba bakgweetsi ba ditekesi ba letla basimanyana ba ba siele mo gare ga ditekesi tsa bone. Bangwe ba ba kgwetsi, ba reka dilo tse tsa bogodu. 

“Ke nnete, bagolo ba rona ba tseelwa dilo le go tshwarwa poo. Fela, gona le dimutlwa mo gare ga bakgweetsi ba ditekesi,” Koji wa tlhalosa.

Mongwe wa bagwebi-potlana kwa renkeng ya Taung, Themba Maretela are: “Jaaka le rona rele bagwebi-potlana mo renkeng ya Taung, rene re batla go tsenela kopa e ya bakgweetsi ba ditekesi. Re dula re thusana le bone, mme retle ka togamaano ya gore re tla reba jang bothata jo jwa bogodu, ga mmogo le thekiso ya nyaope.

“Fela mo letsatsing la gompieno, ba re leleka mme ga re itse gore bothata ke eng. Ga ke gane gona le batho ba ba rekisang nyaope mo renkeng ya rona ya ditekesi le ba ba utswang. Sebe sa phiri ke gore mo bakgweetsing ba ba ditekesi, gona le ba ba rekang dilo tseo tsa bogodu mo basimanyaneng ba ba nyaope.”

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa lefapha la tshireletsego ya baagi ga mmogo le dipalangwa mo Bokone Bophirima, Lucas Mothibedi ga mmogo le sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Col Adele Myburgh, ga ba boela mo go rona go arabela ditatofatso tse.

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Monna o latofadiwang ka go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe o buseditswe kwa ntlolefitshwana

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Setshwantsho: Kabelo Mogongwa o latofadiwang ka go bolaya kgarebe ya gagwe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa dingwaga di le 47, e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung go fitlha ka letsatsi la di 4 Mopitlwe 2024. Kabelo Mogongwa o ne a solofetswe go dira kopo ya beile mo letsatsing la gompieno, fela mmueledi wa gagwe wa puso ga kgona go nna teng.

Go begwa fa Mogongwa a ile a tshwarwa morago ga dipego tsa gore o thuntsitse we la gagwe, Tsholofelo Nde Emphukile (38). Go begwa fa lekawana le le lekgarebe la gagwe, ba ne ba dula botlhe kwa phaphosing e e hirilweng kwa motseng wa 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 one a ganelwa ka beile,” Botma wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, rakgadiagwe moswi, Gomolemo Emphukile are: “Re utlisiwa botlhoko ke go tlhola kgetsi e buseditswe morago. Jaaka ba lelapa re kopa kgotlhatshekelo e re tseele tlhogong, gonne le ka mokgwa o kgetsi e busediwang morago ka teng ga re a itumela.

“Ba tlhalosa fa molatofadiwa a dira kopo ya beile, mme a tlhalositse fa a tlile go hudugela kwa motseng o o gaufi le Khibicwane. Seo se tlile go dira gore a dire se a se batlang mo bosigong, mme ere mo mosong a boele kwa tulong e a e kaileng. Jaanong, seo ga se baakanye sepe.”

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Rramophato o a neng a isitse monna wa mosweu mophatong, o tlhokafetse mo kotsing ya sejanaga

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Ngaka ya setso gape ele rramophato, Otlhagile Diketso Maine

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Ba lelapa la ga rramophato, Otlhagile Diketso Maine (57) yo gape e ne ele ngaka ya setso, ba re loso la gagwe le ba tlogetse ba gamaregile. Go begwa fa Maine o ane a isitse mophato kwa motseng wa Mokgareng, gaufi le Taung mo ngwageng e e fetileng, a tlhokafetse mo kotsing ya sejanaga mo tseleng ya R378 magareng ga motse wa Morokweng le Ganyesa fa masigo a Tshipi a ne asa.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, Maine le o mongwe wa ba palami, ba tlhokafetse mo kotsing e ya sejanaga.

“Go begwa fa Maine ga mmogo le bapalami bangwe ba ne ba tsamaya ka sejanaga sa modiro wa van fa mokgweetsi a ne a leka go efoga dipitsi tse di neng di le mo tseleng. Fela, mokgweetsi o ile a latlhegelwa ke taolo.

“Go begwa fa van eo, ene ya menoga mme Maine le mongwe wa bapalami ba ile ba latlhegelwa ke botshelo. Batho ba le babedi ba ile ba rwalelwa kwa bookelong ka dikgobalo tse di masisi. Kgetsi ya polao ntle le maikaelelo e butswe, mme dipatlisiso di tsweleletse,”

Go begwa fa Maine a ne a tsamaya le morutwana wa gagwe wa motho mosweu, Eddie Jones. Fela go begwa fa Jones a robegile maoto a le mabedi, mme o ile a rwalelwa kwa bookelong jo bo gaufi.

Kgaitsadie Maine wa losika, Boipelo Kumang are Maine ene ele motho yo o bonolo, mme a na le tirisano-mmogo ka dinako tsotlhe. Kumang are le fa ba godile le Maine, ene o ne a le kwapelenyana ka dingwaga.

“Re godile le ene, mme one a ntshiya ka dingwang di le mmalwa. Re godile le ene sentle, mme ra itse gore la motho o godile le ene, mme fela fa a le mogolo mo go wena o ka se re o godile le ene, gonne ga wa tshameka le ene.

“Ene o ne a le mo tonnanyana mo go nna, ebile ele aubuti. Ga se re rulaganye ka dithulaganyo tsa phitlho. Re utlwa gotwe aubuti o ne a ile go tiisa lelapa lengwe kwa motseng wa Morokweng,” Kumang wa tlhalosa.

Kumang are jaanong kotsi eo, e diragala fa Maine le barutwa gagwe ba boa. Kumang are gone gona le motho mongwe wa sejanaga yo Maine aneng a mo thapile gore a mo ise kwa Morokweng.

“Go begwa fa mong o wa koloi ane a iphanya ka nnotagi, mme go begwa fa ele ene a tlhotseng kotsi ya sejanaga. Go begwa fa gape ane a na le kgarebe foo, mme ba ne ba iphanya botlhe. Go tlhokafetse aubuti, le lekgarebe leo ga mmogo le ngwana wa mangwane wa gagwe,” Kumang wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, Modula-setulo was Traditional Health Practitioners (THP), Moelegang Magano o kaile Maine jaaka motho o neng ana le tirisano-mmogo. Magano are ba dirile thata le Maine, mme le fa gone gona le bothata mo Taung, one a leka go nna karolo ya go rarabolola bothata jo.

Magano are o dirile le Maine fa gone go tlhapisiwa kwa Dikgageng ga mmogo le go timela ga motho kwa motseng wa Modimong.

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Maloyi: “North West has expressed unprecedented levels of development”

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Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi

By OBAKENG MAJE

The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said the province has experienced unprecedented levels of development in the last 30 years, with the number of households increasing from 591 145 in 1996 to over 1.14 million in 2022. When delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA), Maloyi revealed that, this depicts an upward trend of 88% of formal housing in the province.

He further said since 2019, the provincial government has built over 19 000 houses. Maloyi added that, in 2023 alone, over 2700 were handed over to beneficiaries.

“The focus will now be centered on eradicating mud houses. R198 million has been allocated to eradicate 1 356 mud houses in the province, with 579 of these units already delivered.

“Furthermore, efforts to eradicate mud houses have been strengthened by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the provincial government and the Chinese National Import and Export Corporation to build gas to electricity power stations in the province,” he said.

Maloyi said as part of their project investment, the Chinese have made a commitment to invest further resources to assist eradicate mud houses in the province by building 500 houses every year, for the duration of the project. He said the project is expected to create a minimum of over 10 000 jobs.

“Providing an update on the Deelpan Floods intervention programme, The provincial government has cleared all the hurdles that delayed the project and that 104 houses will be completed by end of March 2024.

“A further 317 houses will be built following the donation of land by Kgosi Kogodi Molete of Bakolobeng and his Traditional Council. In addition, the provincial government will be launching the R2.6 billion N14 mixed development project in Ventersdorp,” he said.

He said the development will see installation of bulk services for 4000 sites and create over 600 jobs for local people through the construction of Breaking New Ground, Social Housing and bonded stock. Maloyi said this is part of ongoing efforts by the provincial government to change the lives of the residents of North West and restore their dignity.

“The provincial government will continue to ramp up the title deeds restoration programme by handing over title deeds to rightful owners. To date 6 283 title deeds have been handed over to beneficiaries across the province,” he said.

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Free State host SAFA Technical Director’s tour 

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Picture: SAFA vice president, Linda Zwane/Facebook

By SAFA

South African Football Association (SAFA) Vice-President Linda Zwane together with SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok, concluded their visit to the Free State on 25 February 2024, which is part of the TD’s Provincial tour.

The tours kicked off in 2023 and are aimed at informing members of football in the provinces about the Technical Development plan along with other areas of football.

Vice-President Zwane opened the session by thanking the members who availed themselves for the provincial visit and highlighted the main purpose of the tours.

“We are here to deliver the message and roadmap for SAFA’s broader vision. The TD has been tasked to deliver the Association’s mandate and I’m glad we have a capable individual,” said Zwane.

“We are now working on our Vision 2030, and we cannot expect it to be implemented if those who have to deliver the vision do not feel part of it or do not understand it.

“We have already been to Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and today in the Free State, we will continue with the other provinces in due course,” concluded Zwane.

Steenbok presented the Technical Development Plan to the members in attendance and allowed them to engage in the discussion, while also identifying areas of interest to their Province, Regions, and Local Football Associations.

He also highlighted areas that have improved since he came into office in 2022 and shared his plan for the next three years.

“My mandate is to serve South African football and although we have had our challenges, we need to celebrate our achievements.

“We are back in the CAF Convention. The CAF A Coaching Diploma is running smoothly, we hosted CAF C Coaching course for the Hollywoodbets Super League in January 2024, and have another CAF C currently underway in Limpopo. The CAF B is scheduled for April 2024 and we have released dates for other Coaching Courses for this whole year,” said Steenbok.

“We have built the next U17 Men’s National Team through the Talent Development Scheme (TDS),  also began our pilot U15 Girls Inter-LFA Leagues among other programs. We have hosted one of the two National Coaches Methodology Workshops and launched the Clive Barker Academy, which has attracted a lot of suggested courses.”

Added the SAFA TD: “These are just a few victories that I have mentioned and we still have a lot to do, therefore these provincial tours are very key in aligning what the national office is doing with what is happening on the ground;” concluded Steenbok.

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Monna o latofadiwang ka go bolaya kgarebe ya gagwe o solofetswe go dira kopo ya beile

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Tsholofelo Emphukile

Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa dingwaga di le 47, e solofetswe go ka reediwa mo letstatsing la 26 Tlhakole 2024 kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung. Kabelo Mogongwa o solofetswe go dira kopo ya beile gone mo letsatsing leo.

Go begwa fa Mogongwa a ile a tshwarwa morago ga dipego tsa gore o thuntsitse we la gagwe, Tsholofelo Nde Emphukile (38). Go begwa fa lekawana le le lekgarebe la gagwe, ba ne ba dula botlhe kwa phaphosing e e hirilweng kwa motseng wa 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 one a ganelwa ka beile,” Botma wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa lelapa la moswi, Medupe Emphukile are: “Re utlwisitswe botlhoko ke tiragalo e, mme ga ke itse gore a kgolagano ya moswi le molatofadiwa kgale e na le mathata. Kgale ba dula ba le babedi kwa Khibitswane, mme Tsholofelo ene kgale a tla fela fa etile kwa lapeng kwa Cokonyane.”

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A BUDGET TO GROW THE ECONOMY AND SUPPORT DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS

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Picture: The RSA President, Cyril Ramaphosa

By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Last week, the Minister of Finance presented a national budget that will help us to achieve more rapid and inclusive economic growth while supporting our developmental goals.

Over the last five years, we have taken several actions to get our economy back on track. We have implemented far-reaching reforms in the energy, logistics, water and telecommunications sectors to address the binding constraints on growth. We have created a stable macroeconomic environment to encourage investment. And we have expanded public employment and social protection to create jobs and provide an income for those who are unemployed.

This budget takes us further along the path of reviving our economy and rebuilding our institutions, in at least three important ways.

First, the 2024 budget shows that we staying the course in our commitment to achieve a sustainable fiscal trajectory. 

Over the past fifteen years, our debt burden has grown to a point where we are spending more on interest payments than we are on education or health care services. By reducing debt, we will create more space to spend on the things that matter – building our infrastructure, improving our schools and hospitals, and making our communities safer.

At the same time, the less the state borrows the more can be invested in the economy. This will help to create a virtuous cycle of investment and growth in the years to come.

Second, the budget protects critical services and social spending, making sure that government can deliver on its most important obligations to all South Africans.

We have allocated additional funds for service delivery, which will help to pay the salaries of police officers, teachers, nurses and doctors. This year alone, we will spend more than R480 billion on education, R272 billion on health and R265 billion on other services like water, housing and public transport.

A further R7.4 billion will go towards the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has already created more than 1.7 million opportunities for work and livelihoods over the last three years, ensuring that key programmes like school assistants will continue.

We are also increasing social grants to help the poorest households cope with the rising cost of living. Additional money has been allocated to the fight against corruption and state capture, following through on the commitment I made in the State of the Nation Address.

Third, the budget includes new measures to support growth and create jobs, while rebuilding infrastructure.

A new R2 billion grant has been established to fund the rollout of smart meters in municipalities, which will help to modernise our electricity system and reduce load shedding. A generous incentive will be introduced to support the manufacturing of electric vehicles from 2026 onwards, as part of our commitment to position South Africa as a leading player in the green economy.

Innovative new funding instruments have been introduced for infrastructure projects, and the National Treasury has published revised regulations to make it easier to implement public-private partnerships. These measures will enable much greater investment in infrastructure.

Our economy has been weighed down by more than a decade of low growth and rising debt, made worse during the state capture era as confidence was eroded. During the course of this administration, we have worked hard to change this and build a foundation for higher growth and more jobs. 

The 2024 budget shows that we are heading in the right direction. We are determined to continue on this path, following through on economic reforms, getting our public finances in shape and protecting basic services for the poor. Working together we will ensure that better years lie ahead.

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71 illegal immigrants nabbed during Vala Umgodi operation

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Picture: The equipment allegedly confiscated by police during raid/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Seventy one immigrants were pounced on 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).

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Airwing, Mounted Unit, Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), K9, Visible Policing and Mine security were also part of the task team. She said this took place during multidisciplinary and crime intelligence driven, Vala Umgodi in Hebron and Rustenburg respectively that was conducted between 16 and 20 February 2024.

“In Hebron, five illegal miners aged between 18 and 40, were arrested on 16 February 2024 after the police received a tip-off. This resulted in the discovery of an illegal wash plant at Bangladesh Section.

“Lovemore Sithole (40), John Sithole (34), Shadrack Mhlanga (32), Lazarus Sithole (20) and Matthew Sithole (18), briefly appeared before the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on 19 February 2024. They were remanded in custody until 5 March 2024,” she said.

Picture: An excavator seized by the police/Supplied

According to Myburgh, equipment as well as gold bearing material, were confiscated by the police.

She further said, in a second operation conducted in Kroondal, outside Rustenburg on 20 February 2024, 71 illegal immigrants were arrested as well as three illegal miners. Myburgh added that, all accused persons who are mainly Lesotho and Mozambique foreign nationals, appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 22 February ‪2024.

“Sixteen 16‬ illegal immigrants were found guilty for Contravention of Section (41) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) and sentenced to pay a fine of R3000. Only four could pay the fine and the other 12 remained in custody, whilst one immigrant was deported.

“Fifty four 54 illegal immigrants were remanded in custody until 26 February 2024 and 6 March 2024. Three men who were charged with illegal mining, Poncho Motlalepula (26), Petros Mosia (41) and Andries Madire (44), were also remanded in custody until 29 February 2024,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the team for their dedication, which 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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‘National Policing Policy consultation to restore public order’

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Picture: The Head of Department of North West Community Safety and Transport Management, Dr Hans Kekana/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Head of Department at North West Community Safety and Transport Management, Dr Hans Kekana said the National Policing Policy will have a positive impact in the lives of the ordinary citizens. Kekana had a consultative engagement with stakeholders during a two-day Provincial Consultation Session of the Draft National Policing Policy in Mahikeng.

“The stakeholders consultation is one of the key processes that need to unfold in policy making and development. This process allows participation for thorough understanding by all affected from the development stage to implementation of the policy.

“We call on stakeholders in attendance to make their meaningful participation during the process. The policy will nurture the way of policing in the country and rebuilds the relationship between the police and communities,” he said.

According to Kekana, they are excited with the turnout of stakeholders who attended the engagement to make sure that, the session will input positively into the policy to make sure that, it is going to benefit the people of the province and the country at large. He further said it is through the engagements with the communities that the policy development such as this, will ensure that they come out with the product that it is going to keep South Africa safe.

“We have a believe that, our men and women in blue are doing a good job and we want to give them support both as government and entire community. There are serious challenges of policing, generally in the country.

“However, we want to be exemplary as the province by changing the way the police are seen by the communities. We also want to rebuild the relationship between the police and the community and bring back the dignity of the police,” added Kekana.

He said the consultation started with engagement of key stakeholders, which includes government representatives. Kekana said they have also engaged the bigger audience of Community Policing Forums (CPFs), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and communities at large.

Meanwhile, the Director for Policy Development from the National Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, Maureen Mphaphuli shared the same sentiments. Mphaphuli said the North West is the eighth province to host the consultation of this Draft Policing Policy.

“We started this process in September 2023 by doing the consultations and the document has already being gazetted for public comments. Today, we expect all the stakeholders in the province to talk to us in terms of what they will want to see as the policing functioning in this country.

“Especially how it impacts them as the province. We want to understand what are the issues that need to be addressed and those we need to improve on in reaching our 2030 vision that, people should be and feel safe,” she said.

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A rapist sentenced to 11 life terms and 363 years imprisonment for committing slew of rapes

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Picture: The rape convict, Ontsheketse Tshabile/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A rapist (43) has been sentenced to 11 life terms imprisonment by the North West High sitting in Klerksdorp for various rapes he committed. Johannes Ontsheketse Tshabile, also sentenced to 363 years for other serious charges that include nine charges of rape, attempted murder, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, robbery, attempted robbery, assault, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, attempt to commit a sexual offence and sexual assault.

Tshabile, who was on the list of the most wanted criminals in the North West, pleaded not guilty to all 65 charges which the court found him guilty on.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Tshabile’s criminal activities took place in Wolmaransstad between December 2012 and May 2018. Myburgh said he accosted unsuspecting women on the streets.

“Tshabile would then drag them to nearby fields, threaten them with a knife, rob them of their belongings and rape them before fleeing the scene. In some instances, he would strangle, stab with a knife and assault with bricks and other objects before robbing and raping his victims.

“He would in some instances, accost couples and attack the male counterparts and assault them before robbing and raping their partners after they had fled the scene. Amongst his victims, were a girl (15) and an elderly woman (65), who endured the pain in his hands,” she said.

Myburgh further said it also emerged in court that, in some incidents, he was accompanied by an unknown accomplice who also committed similar offences with him. She added that, Tshabile was linked to the offences through DNA specimens.

“Tshabile was arrested in 2019 following an intensive police investigation and the court denied him bail. He also managed to escape from the Wolmaransstad Police Station, aided by a police officer. However, he was later re-arrested and the police officer was dismissed from duty and criminally charged.

“The matter is still pending in court. In aggravation of the sentence, Adv Riekie Krause, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, considering the emotional, physical, and psychological trauma suffered by the victims in the hands of Tshabile,” she said.

Krause urged the court to consider the Victim Impact Statements, wherein the victims describe their ordeal and the trauma they continue to suffer in their day-to-day lives, owing to the rape and assault incidents.

Judge Tebogo Djadje, agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the court has in protecting society against such perpetrators, particularly after they lived in fear for almost six years. She described Tshabile as remorseless and having no regard for women and children.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the prosecutor, Sergeant Pule Morake from the South African Police Service (SAPS) for ensuring that the victims were afforded the justice they deserve.

They commended the role played by the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) for discharging their mandate of prioritising sexual offences cases and the Thuthuzela Care Center for providing the necessary support to the victims in preparation for trial.

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