Monthly Archives: April 2024

Teaching and learning affected at Nthapelang Primary School over mobile classrooms

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Nthapelang Primary School in Matolong village

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Teaching and learning was affected at the embattled Nthapelang Primary School in Matolong village, near Taung on Tuesday. Learners and teachers were turned away by irked parents and School Governing Body (SGB) members, who are demanding mobile classrooms. 

In January 2024, Taung DailyNews exposed that the school principal allegedly turned toilets into classrooms due to overcrowding. This caused an outcry and resulted in the suspension of the principal by the department. 

The SGB chairperson, Kgalalelo Kgamanyane said they also want the department to do away with the multi-grade system at the school. Kgamanyane alleged that the department never informed them that the school will be a multi-grade. 

“Since the department promised to bring mobile classrooms to the school. However, nothing has materialised until today. So, we are disappointed because it seems the department does not take our plea seriously. 

“We also do not understand what does it mean when the school is using a multi-grade system. There is no policy nor any document in place that explains what a multi-grade system is,” she said. 

Buoyed Kgamanyane further said, no teaching and learning will take place until their challenges are addressed. She added that there is also a shortage of teachers at the school. 

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane refuted allegations that they once promised to deliver mobile classrooms at the school. Molokwane urged the SGB members to refrain from closing the school as they are part of the school management. 

“Instead, they should guide parents in the right path. It should be noted that the department has never committed to sending mobile classrooms to the school. The community and parents should note that multi-grade school is when more than one Grade is taught in a classroom. 

“Through multi-grade education, this enables learners to work alone or collaboratively toward the curriculum objectives of the individual Grade levels. Teachers benefit from multi-grade teaching because it gives them greater freedom to be innovative and adaptable in their teaching approach,” he said.

Molokwane said that teachers can also establish an engaging learning environment and present a range of teaching strategies. He said it is less expensive than establishing separate classrooms for each grade level or paying more teachers.

“When staffing schools in isolated or rural locations with little funding, it is also more effective. So the school would not have any extra staff,” said Molokwane.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

An attempted murder and murder case against the former Meat Brothers owner, Tshwaro Mangwegape postponed   

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The local businessman and former owner of the Meat Brothers

By OBAKENG MAJE

An attempted murder and murder case against the local businessman and the former owner of Meat Brothers Pub, Tshwaro Mangwegape (41), was postponed to 2 May 2024, while the state was still waiting for ballistic test results. Mangwegape, briefly appeared before the Taung Magistrate’s Court today and he was remanded in custody. 

This comes after he was accused of killing the NWU Soccer Institute player, Undivile “Vilo” Mdi (28) and injuring his friend, Aobakwe Ernest Kokwe (33). Mdi and Kokwe were amongst patrons who visited the Meat Brothers Pub that was full to capacity on 16 December 2023. It is alleged that the security guards refused entry to patrons who did not have Identification Documents (IDs) and that led to a stampede.

Mdi and Kokowe allegedly tried to gain entry forcefully, but Mangwegape allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at them. Mdi was fatally shot and his friend was rushed to the hospital with terrible gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, one of the community leaders, Kgakololo Koji said: “We welcome the postponement. We actually knew what would have happened in court today and I promise you that, we will be here again on 2 May 2024.”

The ANCYL spokesperson in North West, Molebang Mohlomi said in a statement that, they condemn violence meted against patrons at the Meat Brothers. Mohlomi said it is alleged that security guards and bouncers unleashed live ammunition towards unarmed civilians, who were trying to gain access to the establishment. 

“This barbaric behaviour bothers public safety. This shows how business owners lack respect for their clients. A clinical approach to review licences of public places must be applied to ensure those who are bestowed with the responsibility to protect patrons are PSIRA compliant. 

“We have sent our heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones. Equally so, we call upon law enforcement agencies to speedily resolve this brutish crime,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A man sentenced to 20 years for raping an elderly woman

NEWS Leave a comment

By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (29) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Kuruman Regional Court for rape. This comes after Tholang Milton Mokgoro, raped an elderly woman (61) in Gamokatedi village, near Tsineng on 24 September 2021.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, on the said day, the victim was out at her kraal counting livestock and met the accused at the kraals as he was also busy counting theirs.

Sam said they left the kraals together after the counting exercise going home, but the accused suddenly grabbed her arm and forced the victim on the ground and raped her.

“Mokgoro left the victim lying on the ground and ran towards their residences. The victim gave chase after him and could not find him as he fled from the residence. She reported him to his granny and further reported the matter to the police too.

“The accused was arrested two days and charged with the alleged rape of the victim. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for rape and his name will be entered into the National Register for Sex offenders and was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, praised the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Matshidiso John Boikanyo for ensuring that the accused is brought to book and support given to the victim of GBV.

Ngubelanga said the police are encouraging the public to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Police need your assistance to locate the missing Oageng Rampopo

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The missing Oageng Rampopo/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Nietverdiend are requesting the members of the community to assist in locating Oageng Rampopo (63) of Mareletsane Section, Lekgophung village, outside Zeerust. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, Rampopo was last seen on 19 March 2024, after informing his daughter that he will be going to Belebese farms on 20 March 2024, to look for his cattle. 

“He is tall with dark complexion, white hair and beards. Members of the family cannot confirm the clothes Rampopo was wearing when he left his place.  Searches conducted by the police and members of the community including Community Police Forum (CPF) since 1 April 2024, after a missing person enquiry was registered, but did not yield positive results.

“The police request anyone who may have information that can assist to locate Rampopo, to contact Detective Sergeant Kabo Rantao on 079 493 1205. The South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number: 08600 10111, can be called to share information. Alternatively, information can be shared via MySAPS App.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Molatofadiwa wa maiteko a polao le polao, Tshwaro Mangwegape o boela kwa kgotlhatshekelo

NEWS Leave a comment

Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa maiteko a polao ga mmogo le polao, Tshwaro Mangwegape

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Mongwebi o a itsegeng mo Taung, ebile ele mong wa maloba wa lefelo le le rekisang bojalwa la The Meat Brothers, Tshwaro Mangwegape (41) o solofetswe go tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno.

Mangwegape, o latofadiwa ka go bolaya motshameki o diphatsa wa setlhopha sa kgwele ya dinao sa NWU Institute, Undivile “Vilo” Mdi (28) ga mmogo le go tlogela tsala ya gagwe ya tlhogo ya kgomo, Aobakwe Ernest Kokwe (33) ka dikgobalo tse di masisi.

Go begwa fa Mdi le Kokwe, ba ne ba le magareng ga batho ba ba neng ba etetse lefelo la The Meat Brothers Pub ka di 16 Sedimonthole 2023, go ya go ijesa monate fa gone go runya thuntso. 

Go ya ka Mangwegape, Mdi le Kokwe, ba ne ba le gareng ga setlhotshwana se se neng sa tsena ka dikgoka kwa lefelo la gagwe le go senya dithoto. Morago ga tiragalo e, Mangwegape one a ineela kwa sepodising. 

One a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao, ga mmogo le maiteko a polao. Go begwa fa Mangwegape a dirile kopo ya ditheetso tsa go ikuela kgatlhanong le go ganelwa ka beile mo kgetsing ya gagwe ya polao le maiteko a polao kwa kgotlha-tshekelo e kgolwane ya North West High Court kwa Mahikeng. 

Kgabagare, mongwe wa baeteledipele wa baagi, Kgakololo Koji are: “Rona re batla gore molao o diragadiwe, mme le ene ona le ditshwanelo tseo. Fela, rona jaaaka re le baagi, re tla romela dikemedi tsa rona tse di tla netefatsang fa molao o diragadiwa.

“Re bone molaetsa wa gore monna o, o tsentse kopo ya ditheetso tsa beile mo kgetsing ya gagwe go tswa kwa motsading wa moswi.”

Mmueledi o diphatsa wa ga Mangwegape, go tswa kwa Isang Nakale Attorneys, Isang Nakale are ke nnete ba tsentse kopo ya ditheetso tsa go ikuela kgatlhanong le go ganelwa ka beile kwa North West High Court kwa Mahikeng. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Ditheetso mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa kwa Majaneng di buseditswe morago

NEWS Leave a comment

BAKENG MAJE

Ditheetso tsa kopo ya beile mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong Motseothata Nelson Seoleseng (35) wa kwa motseng wa Majaneng, gaufi le Taung, di tlhotse di buseditswe morago go fitlha ka di 8 Moranang 2024. Seoleseng one a tshwara le go latofadiwa ka go tlhaba le go bolaya tsala ya gagwe, Mosimanegape Adam van Wyk (31), ka thiba.

Go begwa 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. 

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are, kgetsi ya polao e butswe.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Monna o latofadiwang ka go thuntsha le go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe o ganelwa ka beile

NEWS Leave a comment

Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Kabelo Mogongwa o busediwa kwa ntlolefitshwana

OBAKENG MAJE 

Monna wa dingwaga di le 47 wa kwa motseng wa Khibitswane, gaufi le Taung, Kabelo Vincent Mogongwa, yo a latofadiwang ka go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe, Tsholofelo Nde Emphukile (38), o tlhotse a ganetswe ka beile ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno.

Go begwa fa Mogongwa a ile a tshwarwa morago ga dipego tsa gore o thuntsitse lekgarebe la gagwe, Emphukile ka tlhobolo e eseng mo molaong. Go ya ka lephatha la bosekisi, Mogongwa o rerile loso la kgarebe ya gagwe pele ga a ka mo thuntsha.

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, yo ga jaana a rotseng tiro, 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 magareng 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 patelesega go shaga burglars, gore ba kgone go tsena mo ntlung. Molatofadiwa o ile a tshwarwa, mme one a ganelwa ka beile,” Botma wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, Magistrate Thabo Letsapa one a kaela Mogongwa fa mabaka a a ntshitseng mo ditheetsong tsa kopo ya beile ese a nonofileng, mme lekgotlha le mo ganela ka beile. Kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka di 2 Motsheganong 2024, fa go ntse go emetswe dipholo tsa sethunya se se dirisitsweng go bolaya moswi.

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

71 suspects arrested for illegal mining

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Some of equipment seized by the police during raid/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 70 suspects were arrested at a farm in Kimberley during Operation Vala Umgodi on 26 March 2024. The police conducted intelligence-driven operations, where 71 suspects were arrested for illegal mining.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the police received a tip-off and operationalised it.

“They found tools and mining equipment being concealed under the grass on the farm by the suspected illegal miners. The intensive foot patrols by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were conducted on the farm leading to the recovery of the hidden mining equipment.

“However, no arrests were made. The police recovered empty litre buckets, steel stands, wooden sieves, and shovels. The multi-disciplinary team will continue with the prevention and combating of crimes associated with illegal mining in identified hotspot areas,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

DA: “Former ANCYL president, Collen Maine’s appointment to the North West Gambling Board irregular” 

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The former ANCYL president, Collen Maine/Google 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment and Conservation Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi is accused of recycling washed-out ANCYL leaders by providing them with employment within her department, like with former ANCYL president, Collen Maine. 

This comes after the North West Department of Economic Development Environment and Conservation Tourism (DEDECT) entity, is accused of irregularly appointing the North West Gambling Board (NWGB), where Maine is the deputy chairperson. 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Jacqueline Theologo, alleged that Tlhapi seems to be a habitual offender with irregular appointments and fails to exercise her oversight role. 

A few weeks ago, Tlhapi’s department was under siege over alleged flawed processes in the much-publicised irregular appointment of the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Kudakwashe Mpofu.

The NWDC is an entity to the department.

“Mpofu is a Zimbabwean citizen, who is facing allegations of fraudulently obtaining his working permit in South Africa. Last week, the DA wrote to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), requesting them to extend their scope of investigation to include appointments within all DEDECT entities, including the NWGB. 

“The SIU Head in North West, Israel Ndou confirmed that they will look into these matters. As a former ANCYL chairperson in North West, it appears that she simply has this tendency of giving jobs to comrades,” she said. 

Theologo further said the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, admitted that he is aware of the alleged irregular and unlawful appointment of Maine to the NWGB during a questions session in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). 

She added that Maine served as president of the ANCYL between 2015 and 2019. 

“Maloyi arrogantly informed members of the Legislature that he could not confirm nor deny as to whether any of the board members of the NWGB had been vetted or if any security checks were conducted.

“Maloyi indicated that he has tasked Tlhapi with submitting a report on all these allegations. He further indicated that he would table that report in the Legislature,” said Theologo. 

She said once that report is tabled, the DA will refer it to the SIU as part of the expanded investigation process. Theologo said this once again shows that the ANC is hell-bent on giving jobs to comrades, while almost a million of North West residents are unemployed.  

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Economic Development Environment and Conservation Tourism (DEDECT) spokesperson, Jeremiah Matebesi said: “As the department, we are not aware of such allegations that he is aware of the alleged irregular and unlawful appointment of Maine to the NWGB. 

“All legislative requirements, including vetting which relates to the appointment of the Board of Directors were followed. So, Maine’s appointment into the board was consistent with the law.”

Matebesi also refuted allegations that Tlhapi is a habitual offender. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Newly-built Saruchera Primary School in Huhudi set to open its doors to the public

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Learners at Saruchera Primary School in Huhudi Township, near Vryburg/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi will officially open and handover a newly constructed Saruchera Primary School in Ext 25 in Huhudi Township, near Vryburg on Wednesday. Maloyi will be accompanied by the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, the department’s senior managers and the executives from the local and district municipalities.

Maloyi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said, the school will be opening its doors for learning for the first time tomorrow when schools are re-opening for the second term. Tatai further said the school is set to enroll about 1 380 learners from Grade R-6.

“These learners were previously attending at various schools around Huhudi Township and the official opening of this new school is set to bring the much-needed relief to the releasing schools as they were already overcrowded.

“This state-of-the-art primary school comprises amongst others, 24 classrooms, library, computer centre, Grade R facilities, multipurpose hall, toilets and changing rooms, and will employ 33 educators, including a principal and two deputy principals, majority of whom are from the releasing schools,” he said.

Tatai added that, the construction of Saruchera Primary School, was necessitated by the establishment of a new settlement and the building of RDP houses in Extension 25 and 28 in Huhudi, which resulted in overcrowding in the already existing schools around the township.

taungdailynews@gmail.com