Picture: A minibus taxi involved in a car accident/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said he is confident that the provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and response teams are ready across the province to deal with any medical emergencies this Easter long weekend. Sambatha said a comprehensive plan has been drawn to tackle all types of medical emergencies working closely with key stakeholders including law enforcement agencies in the province.
“As the department, we left nothing to chance in our contingency plan to deal with medical emergencies across all the major roads in the province. We will keenly keep an eye on major roads like the N12 and N14, which are prone to horrific accidents.
“Our team in in Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Dr KK) and Bojanala Districts will be ready. The department has earmarked Bojanala and the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts as areas of concern,” he said.
However, Sambatha said enough resources in a form of ambulances and emergency response vehicles will be deployed to deal with all emergency incidents, especially along the N12 and N14 respectively.
He further said the Bojanala District has a total allocation of 22 ambulances and 5 response vehicles, whilst Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, has been allocated 16 ambulances and 8 response vehicles.
“These ambulances include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) vehicles. We plead with our road users who will be travelling across the length and breadth of our province, to remain vigilant.
“We urge them to abstain from use of intoxicating substances, including drugs and alcohol while driving. I urge all road users to Arrive Alive this Easter long weekend” said Sambatha.
He said all the districts are on high alert, including Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts. Sambatha said the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, has a total fleet of 18 ambulances and 4 response vehicles with Ngaka Modiri Molema having 11 ambulances, a rescue bakkie and 4 emergency vehicles.
“As we tackle medical emergencies across the province, we need to recognise the role of the private emergency response fleet service provider, who augments our services across the province and finally wish all residents of the province an incident free Easter long weekend,” he said.
Picture: The founder and owner of Moja Chicken, Letlhogonolo Motseeng
By OBAKENG MAJE
The owners of Shandis Events (PTY) LTD said, they welcome the interdict against entrepreneur and owner of Moja Chicken, Letlhogonolo Motseeng (36), but they will engage their lawyers and get a legal opinion in whether to appeal the matter against Comedy and Music Xplosion or not.
Shandis Events (PTY) LTD owners, Olebogeng David Moshwene (48) and Cassius Yawa (39), dragged Motseeng to court after he allegedly organised Comedy and Music Xplosion Show. Motseeng is the former director of Shandis Events (PTY) LTD, but resigned after the relationship between him and other directors went sour.
The organisers of Comedy and Music Xplosion show, will be hosting the event at PH Moeketsi Agricultural School in Taung on 31 March 2024, while the Shandis Events (PTY) LTD is also having a Taung Comedy Show at Longstreet Lifestyle Pub on the same day. Longstreet Lifestyle Pub and PH Moeketsi Agricultural School are only 3km apart.
Moshwene said, they are happy after the court interdicted and prohibited Motseengfrom participating in any manner directly or indirectly in the preparations of Comedy and Music Xplosion show. He further said, they still believe that Motseeng is the organiser of that show.
“We still believe that Motseeng is behind Comedy and Music Xplosion, but we will engage with our lawyers and see if we could appeal the court outcomes or not,” he said.
The court order reads: “After having heard both attorneys and having read documents filed on record. It is ordered that, the applicant’s non-compliance with the rules of the court relating to forms, time and manner of service is condoned and matter is dealt with as one of urgency in terms of rule 55 (5) of the rules.
“The first respondent is interdicted and prohibited from engaging in any business activity, which in competition with the applicant, nor work for any company which competes with the applicant, within 250 kilometres from the address which applicant conducts its business. The first respondent is interdicted and prohibited from directly or indirectly, disclosing to any person, firm or corporation the names or addresses of any of the customers or clients of the applicant or any other information pertaining to them.”
The court further said the first respondent is interdicted and prohibited to call on, solicit, take away or attempt to call on, solicit or take away any customer of the applicant on whom he has called or with whom he has become acquainted with during his terms of employment, as a direct or indirect result of his employment with the applicant.
However, there is no order against the second respondent, which is Batlhaping Entertainment. According to Taung DailyNews investigations, Batlhaping Entertainment does not exist nor has any directors.
Motseeng was ordered to pay the costs of the application on attorney and client scale.
Meanwhile, Motseeng said: “I am happy with the outcomes of the court. Even though I’m interdicted and prohibited in my personal capacity, the Comedy and Music Xplosion show goes on. I will adhere to the court ruling and just go there to perform as a booked artist.
“Honestly, I’m not the organiser of the Comedy and Music Xplosion, but Tshepo Mojaki is. So, I will abide by the court order and wait for the timeframe to expire. I can confirm that, indeed Batlhaping Entertainment company is non-existence, but the Comedy and Music Xplosion is the one registered as an entity under Mojaki.”
Three men who were arrested in connection with the murder of North West University (NWU) employee and socialite, Sam Junior Mbatha (24) were found guilty by the North West High Court sitting at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court. Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), and Thato Mosetla (22), are guilty of all charges and the matter was postponed to 25 July 2024, for sentencing.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Khoza, Nkuna and Mosetla, are facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.
Mamothame said the state, through Adv Nangamso Goloda, closed its case after leading evidence through five witnesses, who testified on incidents leading to Mbatha’s death.
He further said Judge Frances Reid, found the three guilty on all charges against them. Mamothame added that the three were arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking them to the murder of Mbatha.
“The police investigations led them to a house in the Phutha Section, near Klipgat on 21 June 2021, where they found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed, as well as on a carpet.
“Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house. The DNA samples positively identified Mbatha as the deceased person, whose body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20 vehicle, at a soccer field in Ikageng Section on 17 June 2021,” he said.
Mamothame said Mosetla was denied bail on 7 July 2022 after he initially abandoned it. He said Khoza and Nkuna are out on R500 bail each.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the judgement and expressed hope for a suitable sentence to be imposed against the trio when the matter appears in court in July.
Picture: The municipal manager of Nama Khoi Local Municipality in Springbok, nabbed for fraud/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The municipal manager of Nama Khoi Local Municipality in Springbok, is expected to make a brief appearance before the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court today. The suspect (63), who is also the former municipal manager at Hantam Local Municipality, was arrested for fraud and contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) 56 of 2003.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said, the suspect was arrested earlier today by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Springbok.
“It is alleged that, between 2019 and 2020, the suspect whilst being a municipal manager at Hantam Local Municipality, received a monthly subsidy for two official cell phones, whereas the municipality was also paying for the billing to the service provider, which was contrary to the package he had with the municipality.
Due to this, the municipality suffered an actual prejudice of R33 470.39. In another unrelated matter, the suspect is alleged to have ordered two loads of gravel belonging to the municipality to be delivered to his residence for personal benefit,” she said.
Mnisi said the actual prejudice suffered by the municipality with this regard is R1003.
Picture: Professor Linda Malan from North West University’s Centre for Excellence in Nutrition/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Professor Linda Malan from North West University’s Centre for Excellence in Nutrition said, micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in Africa and are one of the major factors associated with growth retardation, poor immune function, and child mortality. Malan said a new master’s degree programme in Nutrition with Nuclear Techniques will help to address malnutrition in Africa. She further said the role players across the continent are working together to ensure better nutrition for all Africans.
“According to the Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition – Statistics and Trends 2023 report, Africa’s malnutrition figures are staggering. More than 280 million people on the continent or about 20% of the population, are undernourished.
“More worryingly, this figure shows an increase of almost 60 million people since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a massive problem, and part of the answer lies in the miniscule,” said Malan.
She added that, nuclear technology plays a crucial role in the field of nutrition. Malan said especially through diagnostic techniques and now, these techniques will be used more rigorously than ever before to help stem the tide of malnutrition.
“Role players from across Africa, in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are undertaking a four-year project to build capacity to use stable isotope techniques to improve the micronutrient status of children in Africa.
“Stable isotopes are non-radioactive atoms of the same element with the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons, and can serve as effective, safe and precise markers to pinpoint areas affecting malnutrition,” said Malan.
She said the resulting programme is an MSc (master’s degree) in Nutrition with Nuclear Techniques. Malan said the IAEA aims to roll out this curriculum in Africa, tailored by each specific African university in its own format, but also standardised to some extent.
“The programme is already in practice, with the NWU in South Africa playing the lead host for Anglophone (English-speaking) students and Morocco playing host for Francophone (French-speaking) students,” she said.
Malan said Ghana, Senegal, and Zambia will be the next countries to implement the programme, with a proposed 37 other African countries to follow.
Malan, who helped develop the curriculum for the MSc in Nutrition with Nuclear Techniques, said micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in Africa and are some of the major factors associated with growth retardation, morbidity, mortality, slow psychomotor development, and poor immune function in children.
“Micronutrient deficiencies also affect women of reproductive age, with significant adverse effects on the nutritional status and health of their offspring in early life, as well as limiting their development and human potential.
“For example, 40% of all women of reproductive age in Africa suffer from anaemia, about half of which is due to iron deficiency. Children’s diets in Africa are predominantly plant based, which often provide insufficient or poorly absorbable micronutrients, such as iron and zinc,” said Malan.
She also noted that, plant-based foods have naturally occurring compounds (anti-nutrients) that interfere with and limit micronutrient absorption. Malan said it is therefore important to design diets that enhance micronutrient absorption from foods.
“However, there is limited technical expertise and laboratory capacity in Africa to assess the bioavailability of micronutrients from foods and how this relates to micronutrient status in vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant and lactating women.
“This new Master of Science – or MSc – programme will help build capacity by designing the necessary curricula, followed by enrolling and training students in the next phase of a two-year academic programme” she said.
Malan said the curriculum will cover a range of stable isotope techniques, including those for assessing iron, zinc and vitamin A absorption. She said the project will help participating African member states build capacity to design and evaluate interventions to address micronutrient deficiencies for better health and economic development.
“With individual African universities, United Nations agencies such as the IAEA and the World Health Organisation, and African governments – including ministries of health, education, agriculture and others – working together, the plague of malnutrition ravaging the continent can be systematically eradicated,” said Malan.
Professor Linda Malan from North West University’s Centre for Excellence in Nutrition said, micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in Africa and are one of the major factors associated with growth retardation, poor immune function, and child mortality.
Malan said a new master’s degree programme in Nutrition with Nuclear Techniques will help to address malnutrition in Africa. She further said the role players across the continent are working together to ensure better nutrition for all Africans.
“According to the Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition – Statistics and Trends 2023 report, Africa’s malnutrition figures are staggering. More than 280 million people on the continent or about 20% of the population, are undernourished.
“More worryingly, this figure shows an increase of almost 60 million people since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a massive problem, and part of the answer lies in the miniscule,” said Malan.
She added that, nuclear technology plays a crucial role in the field of nutrition. Malan said especially through diagnostic techniques and now, these techniques will be used more rigorously than ever before to help stem the tide of malnutrition.
“Role players from across Africa, in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are undertaking a four-year project to build capacity to use stable isotope techniques to improve the micronutrient status of children in Africa.
“Stable isotopes are non-radioactive atoms of the same element with the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons, and can serve as effective, safe and precise markers to pinpoint areas affecting malnutrition,” said Malan.
She said the resulting programme is an MSc (master’s degree) in Nutrition with Nuclear Techniques. Malan said the IAEA aims to roll out this curriculum in Africa, tailored by each specific African university in its own format, but also standardised to some extent.
“The programme is already in practice, with the NWU in South Africa playing the lead host for Anglophone (English-speaking) students and Morocco playing host for Francophone (French-speaking) students,” she said.
Malan said Ghana, Senegal, and Zambia will be the next countries to implement the programme, with a proposed 37 other African countries to follow.
Malan, who helped develop the curriculum for the MSc in Nutrition with Nuclear Techniques, said micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in Africa and are some of the major factors associated with growth retardation, morbidity, mortality, slow psychomotor development, and poor immune function in children.
“Micronutrient deficiencies also affect women of reproductive age, with significant adverse effects on the nutritional status and health of their offspring in early life, as well as limiting their development and human potential.
“For example, 40% of all women of reproductive age in Africa suffer from anaemia, about half of which is due to iron deficiency. Children’s diets in Africa are predominantly plant based, which often provide insufficient or poorly absorbable micronutrients, such as iron and zinc,” said Malan.
She also noted that, plant-based foods have naturally occurring compounds (anti-nutrients) that interfere with and limit micronutrient absorption. Malan said it is therefore important to design diets that enhance micronutrient absorption from foods.
“However, there is limited technical expertise and laboratory capacity in Africa to assess the bioavailability of micronutrients from foods and how this relates to micronutrient status in vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant and lactating women.
“This new Master of Science – or MSc – programme will help build capacity by designing the necessary curricula, followed by enrolling and training students in the next phase of a two-year academic programme” she said.
Malan said the curriculum will cover a range of stable isotope techniques, including those for assessing iron, zinc and vitamin A absorption. She said the project will help participating African member states build capacity to design and evaluate interventions to address micronutrient deficiencies for better health and economic development.
“With individual African universities, United Nations agencies such as the IAEA and the World Health Organisation, and African governments – including ministries of health, education, agriculture and others – working together, the plague of malnutrition ravaging the continent can be systematically eradicated,” said Malan.
The police in Galeshewe are appealing to the public to assist in locating Lenah Van Wyk (80), who resides at 20217 Legodi Street, Galeshewe in Kimberley. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said Van Wyk was last seen by her guardian on 15 March 2024 when she left for work in Barkley Road, Kimberley.
“She was wearing a black hat, brown slippers, blue and white striped tights, as well as a purple flowered apron. Anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of Lenah Van Wyk is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Leornard Mogoje on 073 0339164.
“They can also call 08600 10111 or either sms anonymously to 32211 or use the MySAPS app. All information received will be treated confidentially. The public is also reminded that there is no waiting period to report a person missing,” he said.
Picture: The victims who were allegedly kidnapped, Zahraa Mohammed and Bataviya Mohammed/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
Two more suspects linked to the kidnapping of Zahraa Mohammed (17) and Bataviya Mohammed (19), have been arrested by the police on Tuesday. This comes after the Mohammed cousins, who were kidnapped in Brits on 6 March 2024, were rescued by a multi-disciplinary team.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said, the suspects include a police Sergeant attached to Letlhabile Detectives. Mkgwabone further said the police also confiscated a vehicle, which was allegedly used during the commission of the crime.
“The number of arrested suspects remains at six. This after two of the initial six suspects arrested on 25 March 2024, were cleared and released after thorough interviews. All the remaining six suspects are due to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 28 March 2024,” added Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the latest developments, especially the arrest of a police officer, which he said will serve as an indication that no one is above the law.
Kwena said no stone will be left unturned to ensure that alleged perpetrators are brought to book.
“Tarnishing of the South African Police Service (SAPS) image by unethical employees will not be tolerated,” he said.
The Guardian 