Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi has been discharged from hospital. Mokgosi and his protectors were involved in a car accident near Swartruggens on Thursday, while driving to Rustenburg.
The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said, Mokgosi was reportedly rushed to the hospital with minor injuries after being involved in an accident on the N4 road, near Swartruggens, while en route to an official engagement in Rustenburg.
“We would like to take this opportunity to inform the people of North West that Mokgosi has been discharged from hospital and is recuperating well at home. We can also confirm that Mokgosi’s Protectors have also been discharged after sustaining minor injuries,” he said.
Two alleged drug dealers, Emengini Ifeanyi Kingsley (26) and Mark Aniachuna (28), who briefly appeared at Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court, were remanded in custody until 25 March 2024 for status verification and bail application. Kingsley and Aniachuna, were arrested for being in possession of drugs and possession of suspected stolen goods.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said, the accused were arrested on 14 March 2024, by Tlhabane Visible Policing members during a crime intelligence-driven operation. Mokgwabone said the police received a tip-off of suspects driving in a white Volkswagen Polo and distributing drugs to their clients in Tlhabane and Rustenburg North.
“Following an observation kept in the area, the accused’s vehicle was spotted exiting the premises. The police followed the vehicle and stopped it in Lebone Street, Tlhabane.
“The occupants, two Nigerian foreign nationals, failed to confirm the status of their legality in the country. Both suspects were ultimately searched and found in possession of two half-moons and 16 small pieces of rock drugs, one router as well as eight cell phones,” he said.
Mokgwabone said investigations into the matter continue and the suspects are likely to face charges relating to contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002.
Picture: The police attending a shooting incident scene/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
A suspect (40) is expected to appear before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court today, following his arrest on 19 March 2024. The suspect allegedly shot and killed two people and injured two.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, a confrontation ensued during a protest action at Extension 5, Ipelegeng Township in Schweizer Reneke. Mokgwabone alleged that some members of the community demanded to be employed on a sewer pipeline project.
“During the confrontation, a shot was allegedly fired towards two construction vehicles, which were also pelted with stones, thus causing damage. One of the construction vehicles drivers reportedly fired shots and in the process, a boy (11) and a man (33) were shot at.
“The minor died on the scene, while the man succumbed to injuries at Schweizer Reneke Hospital. In addition, two other men were taken to hospital due to serious injuries they sustained. The police arrested the suspect and seized his firearm,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the suspect is facing two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He added that, the investigations into the incidents are underway and police are currently monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, is shocked about the loss of lives and at the same time conveyed condolences to the deceased’s families. Kwena warned the public about the danger of violent protests, where even children and the innocent are often used.
Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos ready for FIFA Series
By OBAKENG MAJE
Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, had his first training session at Annaba stadium, Algeria on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the FIFA Series to be held in the North African country in the coming days. Broos was all smiles as his charges got down to business at the 19 May 1956 Stadium.
The Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United contingent are expected in Annaba later on Tuesday night and the South African senior men’s team coach will finally have his full complement of players. The Africa Cup of Nations Bronze medalists play the first match of the FIFA Series against Andorra on 21 March 2024.
They then travel back to the capital of this North African country’s capital city to face hosts Algeria at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Tuesday, 26 March 2024 before returning home on the following day.
Broos said: “I am happy that we are playing these two games. We play against Andorra in the first match, who are not a top team in Europe, far from it, but they lose games by close margins, usually 1-0 or 1-2. This means it will be tough.
“It is a different style also, and the game also gives me an opportunity to look at new players. As I said, we have started to look for new players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup because there are some players we might have to replace for the tournament.”
He further said he is happy with that game against Andorra. Broos added that he is also happy with the match against Algeria because they are one of the best teams in Africa.
Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna (35) wa kwa motseng wa Majaneng, gaufi le Taung, e tlhotse e buseditswe kwa morago go fitlha di 26 Mopitlwe 2024 ke khotlha-tshekelo ya Taung. Seno se tla morago ga gore Motseothata Nelson Seoleseng a tshware, mme ene o latofadiwa ka go tlhaba tsala ya gagwe, Mosimanegape Adam van Wyk (31), ka thiba go fitlhelela a tlhokafala ka Lamatlhatso.
Go begwa fa tiragalo e, ele ya beke e ka Lamatlhatso. Gobegwa fa Seoleseng ga mmogo le moswi, ba ne ba le mmogo, mme ba ile ba ya kwa gabo molatofadiwa ko ba fitlhetseng morwa rragwe molatofadiwa ana le lekgarebe la gagwe.
Mongwe wa bo maratahelele wa tlhalosa: “Go begwa fa go ile ga runya kgakgauthano ya mafoko ma gareng ga molatofadiwa le monnawe. Sebakwa sa kgakgauthano ke gore, molatofadiwa one a botsa monnawe gore goreng a tlisa lekgarebe kwa gagabo.
“Ene ya re fa e ya matsogong, tsala ya molatofadiwa, van Wyk, one a leka go tsiriganya. Fela go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ne a mo tsogela kgatlhanong, mme a mo tsatsanka ka thipa. Go ya ka dipego, moswi one a rwalelwa kwa bookelong jwa sedika jwa Taung, fela one a balelelwa le badimo mo letsatsing la Tshipi.”
Go begwa fa kgetsi ya polao ene ya bulwa, mme mmelaelwa one a tshwarwa.
Kgabagage, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are, kgetsi ya polao e butswe, mme molatofadiwa o tla tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ka di 26 Mopitlwe 2024.
Picture: Seven accused persons facing an arson case
By OBAKENG MAJE
Four of seven accused persons in an arson case that took place in Manthe village, near Taung in May 2022, were not found guilty of looting. The case commenced today at Taung Regional Court after several postponements.
The court did not find accused number 1,2,3 and 7 guilty of looting.
Former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Ali Sakiele (50), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32), were arrested and charged for arson.
The seven accused persons were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation. This comes after the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses, and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family.
They accused a convicted rapist, Bakang Katong (32) and his cronies of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”
The lawyer of the defence also wanted the state to withdraw all charges against the accused persons, citing insufficient evidence against his clients. However, the court dismissed that and according to the state, there is an impeccable evidence against the accused persons and will call each accused to the stand on 27 May 2024 before posing judgement on 3 June 2024.
Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder and the case is still pending. The case will be back in court on 23 and 24 April 2024 for trial.
Picture: The former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of North West Development Corporation, Kudakwashe Mpofu
By OBAKENG MAJE
Action SA has called on the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) to probe the appointment of the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Kudakwashe Mpofu at the NWDC.
According to the North West MC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi, the embattled Mpofu resigned from the position with immediate effect, amid allegations that he illegally obtained his residence permit.
The Action SA chairperson in North West, Kgosi Kwena Mangope said, even though they welcomed the resignation of Mpofu, he should not be absolved from answering questions about how he obtained his permanent residence permit in South Africa.
“We are on record requesting the DEDECT and the NWDC to provide answers on how Mpofu was employed and given a senior position in government. To that end, we are once again, appealing with the two entities to cooperate fully with all the law enforcement agencies, especially the Special Investing Unit (SIU), which has been tasked with investigating the matter.
“It remains a concern to us as a party and all law abiding citizens that our government allowed an illegal immigrant to continue to remain in the employ of the state, even though the Home AffairsDepartment declared that he has obtained his permanent residency fraudulently,” said Mangope.
He further said, Action SA believes in the rule of law and they are clear that, any foreign person entering the borders, must do so within the prescripts of the law and our immigration policy. Mangope added that no one must remain completely at ease to reside in the country’s borders without proper documentation.
“We will follow this case to ensure there is full accountability,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tlhapi said: “We can confirm that Mpofu has resigned with immediate effect. Mpofu’s resignation comes after a series of news reports, which indicated that he has fraudulently obtained his residence permit. On 17 March 2024, the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, confirmed to Times Live online publication and other news sources that, indeed Mpofu who is a citizen of Zimbabwe, did not obtain his residence permit through the Department of Home Affairs.
“The department has since noted the report by Motsoaledi and vows to cooperate with law enforcement agencies investigating this matter. As the department, we have been following this matter since last week when it appeared in the Sunday World newspaper.”
The police in Northern Cape said the body of an unknown man, that was found hanging from the tree in the veld along Barkly Road in Bloemanda on 28 November 2023, is still languishing in state mortuary.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, the police released statements on 19 December 2023 and 26 January 2024, pleading with the public to assist in locating the relatives of the deceased.
“The body has not been claimed and police still plead to the public to assist them in locating the family of the deceased. The deceased was wearing blue and grey coloured overall and dark spectacles.
“The police do not have any information regarding his identity, hence requested the assistance of the public in identifying the deceased. Anyone with information is urged to visit Galeshewe SAPS or contact Detective Sergeant Isaac Motladi at 082 469 0546 or 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App,” he said.
Sam said all information will be treated confidentially.
Picture: The illegal miners nabbed for being in possession of gold-bearing material/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Twelve suspects were arrested for being in possession of gold-bearing material and Contravening the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) in three separate Vala Umgodi operations. In the first incident reported in the early hours of Wednesday (13 March 2024), the police on patrol, allegedly stopped a suspicious Toyota Quantum vehicle on the N12 road at a garage in Meiringspark, Klerksdorp.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, upon searching the vehicle, 61 bags containing gold bearing material were allegedly found, as well as nine persons of which eight are believed to be undocumented persons.
Myburgh said as a result, eight suspects between the ages of 20 and 42, briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 15 March 2024, for possession of gold bearing material and for Contravening the Immigration Act.
“They were remanded in custody until 16 May 2024. One of the suspects, who is only 14 years-old, was dealt with in terms of the Child Justice Act. In the second incident reported on 13 March 2024 at around 6pm, the police on patrol on the Klerksdorp/Orkney road, near Shiba Mine, observed a man putting soil in a bag.
“Upon seeing the police, he ran away. However, the police caught up with him. Jon Mateu Mhlanga (33) was arrested and appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court for possession of gold-bearing material and for Contravening the Immigration Act, 2002,” she said.
Myburgh further said Mhlanga was remanded in custody until 17 May 2024. She added that, in the third incident reported on 13 March at around 6:30pm, the police were at the Ariston Mine dump in Klerksdorp and allegedly found two suspects with 35kg of bags, containing gold-bearing material.
“They were immediately arrested and it was also found that they were in the country illegally. Remaketse Ntoa (36) and Maatekane Tsobo (24), briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 18 March 2024.
“They are facing charges of possession of gold-bearing material and for Contravening the Immigration Act, 2002. The pair were remanded in custody until 25 March 2024,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police for their commitment and cooperation that resulted in the arrests and seizures. Kwena said this will serve as a warning that the police will continue to work hard in dealing with illicit miners.
The Hawks in the Northern Cape with the assistance of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), secured a preservation order of a vehicle worth R85 700 against Melvin Malebo (39). The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said, the order was granted by the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on 15 March 2024.
“This follows the arrest of Malebo during April 2023. The police received a tip-off regarding a vehicle parked at the Diamond Pavilion Mall and was allegedly selling drugs. The police acted swiftly and intercepted the vehicle.
“During the search, the police allegedly found mandrax tablets and tik in the vehicle with an estimated street value of R 100 000. The accused was immediately apprehended and the case docket was handed over to Priority Crime Specialised Investigation for further probe,” she said.
Mnisi said this culminated into the vehicle being preserved for future forfeiture.
The Guardian 