Two suspects aged 40 and 44 were arrested in connection with the murder of the late Constable Mogoro Clement Makola (31). Makola was allegedly shot and killed in Lekgalong village, near Marikana in Rustenburg on Monday evening.
It is alleged that the late Makola who was declared dead on arrival at Kanana Clinic after being shot several times, was laid to rest in Jane Furse, Limpopo Province on Saturday.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects, aged 40 and 44, were arrested in Ramochana village, outside Rustenburg on Friday during a crime intelligence-driven operation by Brits Trio Task Team and Marikana Visible Policing.
“This comes after Brits Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), provided the Investigating Officer with information after one of the suspects was identified through fingerprints.
“The police arrested the first suspect at a liquor restaurant and allegedly implicated his accomplice, who was also arrested at the same place. On further questioning by the Investigating Officer, the suspect took the police to a house where a 9mm firearm with obliterated serial number, a magazine and four ammunition were found,” he said.
Mokgwabone said the suspects, who are both Mozambican foreign nationals, are expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 29 April 2024, for murder. He said the case is now investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, extolled all members and units involved, including the Hawks for their determination and collaborative efforts, to ensure the arrest of the suspects.
Picture: More than 140 suspects nabbed for illegal mining/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
An integrated Vala Umgodi operation conducted in Tlhatlaganyane village outside Rustenburg by various units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) as well as Department of Mineral Resources & Energy, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental and Rustenburg ER24, resulted in the arrest of 141 suspected undocumented foreigners, mainly from Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were allegedly arrested at an illegal mining site in Tlhatlaganyane village, outside Rustenburg. Mokgwabone said the police allegedly confiscated 59 x generators, 46 x jack hammers, five gas cylinders and 49 x wheel barrows.
“This includes 21 x shovels, 30 x spades, 13 x pickaxes, one fork spade, 27 x hammers, four saws, one roll of extension cord, three heater pumps, cylinder pipe, one tools box, three x 1 litre grease cleaners and two chisels.
“All suspects are expected to appear in the Mankwe Magistrate’s Court in Mogwase on 29 April 2024, facing charges of contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for their commitment towards addressing illegal mining activities.
Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi handing over Borolelo Primary School project/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the construction of the Borolelo Primary School project in Koster, will alleviate overcrowding in schools. Motsumi handed over the school worth R103 million to the community on Saturday as part of 30 years of democracy.
“The Borolelo Primary School boasts of modern facilities, including 21 classrooms for Grade 1-7 learners, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) block, an ICT-equipped lab, science lab for Grade R through 7, multipurpose room, ablution facilities, change rooms for both boys and girls, fully equipped NSNP kitchen, an administration block and a library among other facilities.
“Our department is committed to address the strain faced by towns grappling with school overcrowding. As a result of high rates of in-migration, this is realised with the handover of the newly constructed school,” she said.
Mosumi further said, as they celebrate 30 years since the dawn of democracy, the opening of Borelelo Primary School signifies a vital step towards securing a brighter future for our children. She added that they constructed the school in response to overcrowding at the existing Kgetleng Primary School.
“As the department, we understand nurturing young minds needs a conducive environment that allows learners to be free and empowered to reach their full potential. We cannot leave behind the upliftment of our communities through job prospects that come from these constructions.
“This is the true essence of the freedom we celebrate today – the freedom to learn, to grow, and to contribute meaningfully to our nation. The handover of Borolelo Primary School marks a significant milestone in the province’s education sector, solidifying the government’s resolve to create an environment, where every child has the chance to excel,” said Motsumi.
Picture: The traffic officers during parade/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari, will be leading the distribution of the traffic uniform for all officers. The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Lucas Mothibedi said the event will be preceded by a joint law enforcement operation at the Lehurutshe Traffic Station at 11am.
“There will be an opportunity for one-on-one interviews after each event,” said Mothibedi.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said her department is ready to administer the June exams, which start on 29 April 2024. Motsumi said to ensure a ‘smooth and fair’ process for all involved, the department has prepared 73 examination centres registered for the 2024 May/June examinations, including 39 NSC examination centres.
“The capturing of entries has been fully completed with any remaining entries. Additionally, all centres have been categorized into low, moderate, and high-risk categories, and a thorough risk profile of each examination centre has been completed.
“Furthermore, the storage of question papers has been carried out with utmost care, adhering strictly to criteria for evaluation and undergoing rigorous audits to ensure the security and integrity of the examination process,” she said.
Motsumi added that she has confirmed the readiness with parents and the education community at large. She said the May/June examination is an important milestone for the learners and they want to assure them and their parents that they have taken every measure to maintain the standards set in the October/November 2023 examinations.
“We are committed to providing a conducive environment for all learners to demonstrate their abilities and achieve success. We urge all learners to approach these examinations with confidence and determination, knowing that the department is dedicated to support them in every step of the way,” said Motsumi.
She said the department extends its best wishes to all learners undertaking these examinations, encouraging them to showcase their knowledge and skills with confidence and integrity.
Picture: The newly-appointed MDDA Board members/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The newly-appointed Board at the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), is expected to ‘hit the ground’ running. This comes after the incoming Board members were officially appointed by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The MDDA Board Chairperson, Prof Hlengani Mathebula, has voiced confidence in the recently appointed members. Mathebula said their appointments came after a rigorous selection and interview process by the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies.
“The Board members, Jayshree Pather, Thembelani Mpakati and Qondile Khedama, bring a broad set of skills, ranging from legal, accounting, research, policy and capacity building, as well as media and communications to the Board.
“This will enhance the oversight function role of the Board. Pather is a development and community media expert with over 25 years of experience, working on the intersection of development and the community media sector,” she said.
Mathebula further said Pather as an independent consultant for the past ten years, her experience spans research, policy, training/capacity-building, and materials development for a range of national, regional, and international organisations. She added that, since 2014, Pather has been a trainer at Wits Radio Academy, where she leads a foundational course on media policy and legislation for the Advanced Radio Certificate program.
“In 2020/2021, she oversaw a training program on digital campaigning tools for 50 African participants across 18 countries in collaboration with US-based Social Movement Technologies (SMT) on behalf of WoMin.
“Pather was also the first Project Director at the MDDA between 2006 and 2009 and has served on the boards of Sonke Gender Justice Project and ABC Ulwazi. She has several published articles, including a Future Proofing Guide for Community Radio for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB),” said Mathebula.
She said Pather had a briefing note on community radio for SANEF’s Independent Panel of Inquiry into Media Ethics and Credibility and chapters on community radio in the State of the Newsroom (2014 and 2024). Mathebula said she has a MSc in Development Planning from the University of the Witwatersrand.
“Mpakati holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) Degree and a National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting (CCMA) from UNISA and Walter Sisulu University respectively. He has worked at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and National Treasury, amongst others.
“He is the Director and Founder of Mpakati Attorneys based in Pretoria. Mpakati has gained good experience in litigation, investigations, legal compliance, good governance, audit, and risk management,” she said.
Mathebula said Mpakati served as a Parole Board Member of the Free State and Northern Cape Regions under the auspices of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). She said he also served as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) in Tshwane. As a practicing attorney and human rights activist.
“He has acquired sufficient skills to be able to represent members of the public and actively mediate in terms of applicable rules and legislation,” said Mathebula.
She said Khedama holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Management from the Central University of Technology, a Programme in Management Development for Municipal Finance, as well as Developmental Communications. Mathebula said he holds a variety of other certificates covering Digital Marketing, Public Relations and Leadership, Feature Writing, Newspaper Management, Project Management and Events Managements among others.
“He is currently Head of Communications for the Mangaung Metro Municipality and a contributor to the PAN African Foundation (PAN), University of the Free State, Centenary Public Lectures as well as Eyewitness News (EWN).
“During the course of his career, he has won a number of awards, including, PMR Best Marketed 2016 Municipality, 2017 SADC Media Award. So, I would like to indicate that their presence and expertise will go a long way in advancing the work of the MDDA Board,” said Mathebula.
She said their collective expertise and presence are poised to significantly bolster the Agency’s mission of establishing itself as a formidable force in championing development and diversity within the community media sector. Mathebula said they remain committed to exercising due oversight of the Agency, including promoting good corporate governance and financial prudence as we continue to undertake our fiduciary duties.
The Guardian 