Picture: The mother, Carmen Noble went missing, but found unharmed/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A mother (41) and her daughter (14), who were reported missing were found sound and safe on Saturday. Carmen Noble and her daughter, Chailynn van Rensburg, who residing in Jeugd Street in Potchefstroom, were reported missing by Chailynn’s father, who was working overseas.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, Chailynn’s father arrived back in Potchefstroom on 21 March 2024, but could not find them. Myburgh said a search was conducted and extensive investigations were done without any success.
“Rensburg and her mother, Noble, were found safe and unharmed on Saturday afternoon, due to the assistance of the media. The police appreciates the communities’ assistance. Keep following our social media page to stay informed,” she said.
A man (39) has been arrested for allegedly raping a daughter (9) of his friend in Freedom Park, near Rustenburg on 7 April 2024. It is alleged that the parents and their daughter, who is living with disability, where driving to Freedom Park with their friend to attend a meeting.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said after the meeting, they left their child in a car with their friend and went to a nearby tuck shop to buy food for the her. Myburgh said on their return, they found their daughter lying on the back seat with their friend allegedly busy raping her.
“The father removed him from the child, whilst the mother screamed for help. The community members came and grabbed the suspect, who was later rescued by the victim’s father.
“The suspect was handed over to the police in Phokeng. The suspect briefly appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 11 April 2024 on a charge of rape. He was remanded in custody until 18 April 2024,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrest of the suspect to face the full might of the law.
Picture: The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality
By OBAKENG MAJE
Various political parties at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), alleged that they know nothing about the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a). On 19 January 2024, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi, introduced Section 139 (1) (a) after instability.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor in Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mmoni Letele said, as the municipal council, they do not know anything about invocation of Section 139 (1)(a). Letele further said, there is no Section 139 (1)(a) that will be introduced and implemented without following proper measures.
“I was so surprised to hear that, the North West Head of Department of North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Ben Bole had a meeting with the municipal employees, instead of engaging the municipal council regarding the invocation of Section 139 (1)(a).
“They have never met with the municipal council. So, from where we stand, the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a) at the municipality is non-existence,” she said.
Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) councillor, Mika Moeti, shared the same sentiments. Moeti alleged that the municipality is in financial crisis.
“What is needed is a forensic investigation because the municipality is in a financial crisis. Imagine, five years ago, the municipality’s investment accounts had R500 million. But in 2021, the account only had R100 million.
“We must be honest to our people and tell them the truth. If the municipal council is serious, it must sit in a meeting and call for a forensic investigation. We need to know what really happened to the money that has been depleted,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bole refuted the allegations and said there has been positive progress at the municipality since the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a).
“The Executive Council of the North West has taken a decision to invoke Section 139 (1) (a) at the municipality. This was to give the municipality directives and they were communicated to the municipal council by Maloyi.
“Basically, that invocation was as a result of instability at the municipality. The municipal council dismally failed to meet its obligations. The municipal council was dysfunctional and as a result, the EXCO took a decision after Maloyi made a presentation before it,” he said.
Bole further said they have given the municipality directives and they are monitoring them on a monthly basis. He added that they have received the first report and there is a sturdy process.
“Since last year, the municipal council has failed to sit for council meetings, where it was supposed to take decisions in addressing service delivery challenges. One of the issues that the municipal council was supposed to do, is with regard to appointment of the senior managers.
“However, there was back and forth and that triggered Maloyi to bring intervention. It is not only that, but before the EXCO invoke Section 139 (1)(a), Maloyi convened a meeting with the municipal council to try and deal with the situation,” said Bole.
He said, however, it became very clear that Maloyi needed to elevate this matter before the EXCO in order to have a decisive action taken. Bole said Maloyi introduced Section 139 (1)(a) not for impunity measures, but corrective measures to crack the dysfunctional of the municipality,” said Bole.
Picture: The cousins, Zahraa Mohammed and Bataviya Mohammed, who were kidnapped in Brits
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (50) who is the alleged owner of the house, where kidnapped cousins, Zahraa Mohammed (17) and Bataviya Mohammed (19) were held at, has been arrested.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the suspect was arrested by the multi-disciplinary team of Provincial Organised Crime, Head Office Crime Intelligence, Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Task Team and Brits Crime Intelligence on Tuesday. Mokgwabone said the arrest of the suspect brings the number of the arrested suspects to eight.
“The suspect is expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court today. Other accused, Humphrey Martin (48), Nathaniel Mokwena (41), Sendry Phage (58), Virgilo Hlongwane (33), Nkanyiso Hadebe (25), Boitumelo Bogatsu (44), Thuloane Makume (47) briefly appeared in Brits Magistrate’s Court on 8 and 9 April 2024.
“They were all remanded in custody until 16 April 2024, for formal bail application. The Mohammed cousins were kidnapped in Brits on 6 March 2024 and rescued by a multidisciplinary team,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said, the accused include a police Sergeant attached to Letlhabile Detectives. Mokgwabone said the police also confiscated a vehicle, which was allegedly used during the commission of the crime.
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.
Picture: SMMEs owners embark on a three-month entrepreneurship training/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Most Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) owners in Schweizer Reneke, welcomed the SMMEs Training Project in Mamusa initiated by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). A three-month training commenced on 2 April 2024.
The acting Municipal Manager at Mamusa Local Municipality, Motabogi Masilo said this project which has specific focus, will benefit 1000 SMMEs across the North West. Masilo further said out of 1000 beneficiaries, 239 come from Schweizer Rreneke.
“The local SMMEs will benefit in areas such as business management, entrepreneurial skills and market analysis. Mentorship and coaching will also be offered to support their development and growth.
“Unemployed graduates will also be engaged in Work Integrated Learning Programs (WILP) to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial skills. The training will be conducted for a period of three months ending in June 2024,” he said.
Masilo added that the aim of the project is to empower SMMEs through NQF Level 4 accredited learning programs. He said the purpose of this project is to provide non-financial support services to SMMEs to stimulate economic growth and job creation in the province.
“Microbiz is the appointed training provider assigned to Sanctus Consulting to coordinate the training in North West,” said Masilo.
Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi will officially open the Boikhutso Clinic at Ventersdorp on 11 April 2024. Maloyi, who will be accompanied by the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha, said the revamped facility valued at R5.6 million, serves over 88 000 residents and forms part of health facilities which render Comprehensive Primary Health Care Services in Ventersdorp and surrounding areas.
“The clinic provides amongst others, Integrated Child Health Services (IMCI & EPI), Maternal health services, Acute Health services, Chronic health services HIV testing and Reproductive health (Family Planning), Emergency Services, Outreach services such as School Health and Adolescent Youth Friendly Services (AYFS),” he said.
Moleko’s wife Paulinah and son Tshireletso leading family members to lay wreaths on his grave/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The African National Congress (ANC) North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) Caucus Support Staff member, Sello “Shimmy” Moleko, who died in a horrific head on collision last week, was laid to his final resting place at the Majemantsho Cemetery, near Mahikeng over the weekend.
Strong condemnation of reckless driving responsible for the carnage on public roads and a call for zero tolerance road traffic enforcement along the R503 Lichtenburg and Mahikeng Road, was echoed during Moleko’s funeral service held at the Christian Faith Centre (CFC) in Majemantsho on Saturday.
The ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member in North West and ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping in his address, described Moleko who also served as a volunteer of the ANC Provincial Department of Communication, Information and Publicity (DCIP) as a mouth piece of those who could not speak for themselves.
“Your son spoke for the welfare of others, he spoke for those who were ill-treated at work, as well as those who wanted to be leaders. He chose his path and today the ANC wants to thank you for sharing Comrade Shakes with us at the expense of your time.
“With his departure, as bad as it was, we will forever miss his laughter which tinkled as clear as a bell, his quiet humour and his wise and invaluable advices given in gentle ways which spoke of a humble sage who was forever free spirited,” said Maruping.
He further said, even though Moleko has departed the world of the living, his colleagues and comrades will still walk tall throughout the world, for they can proclaim to all humanity that from the small ANC Sub region of Ditsobotla, Mahikeng and Matlosana, a gentle soul was born.
Maruping said for them to honour Moleko and live up to the character of Anton Lembede, OR Tambo and their gallant generation, they will need a united ANC in the North West.
“ANC that lives in practice the core values of the 112-year-old liberation movement. Within the context of challenges that are facing the ANC, these core values were also espoused by Pixley ka Isaka Seme in his Native Union seminal document speak to the nobility of mutual respect, unity, equality, selflessness and discipline,” he said.
The ANC Chief Whip in the NWPL, Paul Sebegoe on behalf of the party caucus in the legislature, delivered the eulogy to Moleko who was employed as a Constituency Officer responsible for coordinating support for Parliamentary Constituency Offices programme across the province since 2009.
Sebegoe highlighted that, the energetic Moleko had devoted his entire youthful and adult life to the cause, which was dear to him, above all others, the cause of liberation and emancipation of peoples of South Africa from the yoke of apartheid colonialism.
“Moleko was a man whom nature had endowed with considerable talents as a thinker, mobiliser and organizer. He used these unselfishly and unreservedly to enrich our movement and struggle towards those whose growth and development he made a lasting contribution.
“Moleko was a disciplined, tried and tested servant of the glorious movement and leader in his own right who held the ANC’s values and above all, he was a seasoned revolutionary cadre who had internalized it as a necessary weapon of struggle to maintain its unity in the face of emerging divisive reactionary tendencies,” said Sebegoe.
He said no organisational task was minute for him to handle or any assignment too big for him to execute. Sebegoe said Moleko knew how to lead without leading, as well as to do so from the rear.
“Leadership was to him about service and not position. The ANC and the revolutionary alliance had with Moleko’s demise lost a principled cadre. The ANC Caucus will miss his contribution as a selfless servant and a true revolutionary patriot.
“So, we expressed gratitude to Moleko’s wife Paulinah, as well as his son, Tshireletso for having shared with the ANC their loving husband, father whom he hailed as a friend of the working class and the poor.
“A befitting tribute in honour of Moleko would be to ensure that the ANC emerges victorious with a decisive victory in the 29 May 2024 elections,” said Sebegoe.
Meanwhile, the local chief, Kgosi Kgakololo Mosiane of the Banogeng clan, who shared the love for Boerbul dog breed with Moleko, decried that a person of his calibre was only celebrated and their contribution recognized only when they are no longer alive.
Mosiane urged community members to remember Moleko when they are in the voting booth on election day and to vote in his remembrance.
The funeral service was graced by among others, ANC PEC leaders, Sipho Dial, Hendrik Both, Speaker of the Provincial legislature, Sussana Dantjie, Finance MEC Motlalepula Rosho, ANC Deputy Chief Whip, Job Dliso, ANC Member of Parliament Tidimalo Legwase, Executive Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe, as well as the Executive Mayor of Mahikeng Local Municipality, Tshepiso Mphehlo, Members of Mayoral Committees and councillors.
Picture: The North west team obtained position 2 in the National South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired Tournament/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they are happy that, the department has been counted amongst the best performers after obtaining the second position in the National South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired Tournament, which was held in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal province on 6 April 2024. Motsumi said the North West team has been awarded a trophy for obtaining position 2 amongst the other provinces, while KwaZulu-Natal as the hosting province obtained position 1.
“The North West team have shown their abilities and strengths in the most diligent way. The province walked away with 86 gold, 97 silver and 61 bronze bronze medals. In total the North West team collected a total of 244 medals.
“The gold medals going to codes, Blackball pool, Cricket and Indoor rowing. Hockey Best player of the tournament went to Bokamoso Shomong from Ikalafeng Special School in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, while Oratile Mokaleng from Lillian Lehetla Special School in Ngaka Modiri Molema District was the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament in hockey,” she said.
Motsumi further said the Best Blower of the Tournament was Gopolang Lamola from Retlametswe Special School also in Ngaka Modiri Molema district. She added that, the department want to congratulate the entire team for the sterling performance.
“It’s moments like these which make one to be the proud residents of the North West province. Our learners have put our province on top again and I am extremely proud of them.
“Their achievement has put back smiles on our faces again, after a sad bus accident that happened to the team that was traveling from the Western Cape on Sunday morning. I really wish to congratulate all the learners, teachers, and the entire stakeholders who support sports in this province,” said Motsumi.
She said they do not only produce champions in the classroom, but they produce top sportsmen in the playing field. Motsumi said her department fully supports the participation of all learners in school enrichment programmes.
Picture: The missing Isaac Otimile “Timi” Keorapetse/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The police in Lichtenburg request members of the community to assist in locating Isaac Otimile “Timi” Keorapetse (43) of Bakerville village, outside Lichtenburg. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Keorapetse was last seen at about 6am on 4 April 2024.
Myburgh further said Keorapetse’ sister asked him to wake up and bath so that they could go to Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital in Mahikeng for his regular medical care as he is mentally challenged. She added that, then his sister prepared a bath for him and went to another room.
“She went back at around 7am to check on Keorapetse, but did not find him. He was allegedly last seen crossing the Lichtenburg / Zeerust road towards Klyenhans Farm, wearing a red short sleeved shirt, black tracksuit pants and green tekkies.
“He is about 1.6m tall. Searches conducted by the police and members of the community since 5 April 2024, following the registration of a missing person inquiry, were futile,” she said.
Myburgh further said they request anyone who may have information that can assist to locate Isaac Otimile “Timi” Keorapetse to contact Detective Sergeant Phillip Metsing on 072 793 2725. She added that, they can also call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
“Alternatively, information can be shared via MySAPS App on your smart phone,” said Myburgh.
The Guardian 