The police in Mothutlong are searching for a missing girl, Agang Setuke (2), who allegedly went missing at Thetele Section, Mothutlong on 18 April 2024 at around 7:30. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, the toddler’s mother left her alone at their residence and took her older daughter to school.
Funani further said the mother returned home and found a blanket and food she prepared for Agang outside the house. She added that, the mother thought that her toddler had gone to visit her sister, who does not stay far from them.
“She then continued with her daily duties. After school, the mother sent her older daughter to go and check Agang at her sister’s house, but was told that the child was not there. The mother searched for the toddler with no success.
“She then went to open a missing person enquiry at Mothutlong Police Station. A search was conducted around Thetele Section and Mothutlung, but that did not yield positive results,” said Funani.
She said Agang was last seen wearing a black tracksuit pant, pink long sleeve t-shit and white jersey, with no shoes. Funani said she is dark in complexion.
“The police request anyone who may have information that can assist to locate Agang Setuke, to contact Warrant Officer Lillian Setshedi on 076 061 8175 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
“Alternatively, information can be shared via MySAPS App on your smartphone,” she said.
Picture: The Amajimbos players during the game/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The South African U17 Men’s National Team has travelled to Cali, Colombia to play two international friendly matches against their Colombian counterparts.
The two matches, which were initially scheduled for 17 and 20 April 2024, will now be played on 21 and 24 April 2024, at a venue yet to be announced. Amajimbos are on course with their programme for 2024 after allegations were made in the media about the South African Football Association (SAFA) not supporting the team.
SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan reiterated that these are fake news. Jordaan said the team delayed in leaving the country after encountering visa issues.
“They were meant to have left on 12 April 2024, but their flight was postponed on the eve of departure. This meant that new arrangements had to be made for the delegation of 31 people after the team secured their visas on 15 April 2024,” he said.
Picture: The residents of Kolong engage with Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality representative over lack of water
By OBAKENG MAJE
Residents of Kolong village, near Taung and other neighbouring areas said they are ‘sick and tired’ of empty promises. The residents who depicted the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Infrastructure at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Pico Seepamere as a liar, alleged that, is been months without provision of water.
During a consultative engagement with Seepamere and Batlhaping Baga Phuduhucwana in Kolong on Wednesday, they alleged that, since Seepamere promised them Jojo tanks, but vanished in the thin air.
One of the irked residents, Maserame Magare said it seems the municipality does not take them seriously. Magare alleged that the officials who visited them kept on changing their tune and that is unfair.
“We did not get the water and the water truck came only once. Actually, Seepamere was not the person that we expected to see here because he is a liar. Every time when we need answers, the municipality brings Seepamere, who is untrustworthy.
“He promised to test the water from the borehole that needed to be refurbished, but he also failed. Now, he is telling us that the water from that borehole might not be enough or contaminated. So, we need Magalies Water to come and explain themselves to us,” she said.
Magre further alleged that Seepamere has divided the community because of his lies. She added that what they need is water and nothing else.
Another peeved resident, Obakeng Molale shared the same sentiments. Molale said it has been seven years without drinkable and clean water in their area.
“It was heart-breaking when I saw a child who was nearly being knocked down by a passing vehicle in Ranstad, simply because she was pushing a wheelbarrow looking for water which is a necessity.
“All the taps are dry and it seems our government does not care. We request the officials to ensure that they keep their promise by delivering more water through tinkering. They should also ensure that he brings those Jojo tanks he promised us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Seepamere said: “The municipality has a responsibility to ensure that the community gets water. In the past three weeks, we were here with hydrologists and they have identified where we can find water. They have given us three streams and all of them are around 0.3% because of the landscape.
“So, most boreholes will not produce enough water to cater for the whole community or the water might be contaminated. We understand the frustration our people are going through, but their constitutional rights force us to give them quality drinkable water.”
He said they have found Jojo tanks from Schweizer Reneke and they will deliver them to Kolong to assist in curbing lack of provision of water. According to Seepamere, they have also delivered a water truck, where it will distribute 18 000 litres of water to the community.
“Our existing infrastructure is not capable of pumping enough water and distributing it to high-lining areas. So, I promise our people that, from now on, they will receive water uninterrupted. We will also ensure that we monitor the situation. I would also like to apologise to the residents and we will ensure that they get water on time,” he said.
A man (38) has been sentenced to four years imprisonment by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act on Thursday. The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer, Nomthandazo Mnisi said, during 2020, Shahein Anwar Hassen, submitted 29 personal Income Tax Returns and obtained undue Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax credits.
“In the submission, he claimed tax credits relating to medical expenses, retirement annuity funds deductions and pay as you earn contributions using fictitious IRP5 certificates and fictitious medical aid certificates.
“The accused further submitted two false personal income tax returns for the period of 2021. This resulted in the South African Revenue Service suffering a total loss of R324 802.89,” she said.
Mnisi further said Hassen was arrested on 15 June 2023 and found guilty on 13 February 2024 by the same court on 29 counts of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act. She added that a thorough investigation by the Hawks Kimberley Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused.
Eight Nigerians were arrested for allegedly attacking a police officer and damaging their vehicles in Kimberley on Thursday. At the time of the arrests, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said, while conducting the search, a large group of Nigerians allegedly attacked the police. Ehlers said the police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
“One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three suspects were arrested for public violence and detained at Kimberley Police Station. During processing, the suspects broke windows at the station.
“Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added. Another group of Nigerians later approached the police station and threatened to retaliate. The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse,” she said.
Ehlers further said, however, upon dispersing, the group allegedly damaged the police vehicles. She added that another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, has welcomed the arrest of the suspects. Otola condemned this behaviour and stated that, those who prevent police from exercising their duties will be dealt with harshly.
“We will not allow such lawless behaviour. We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country. The police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the province,” she said.
South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Dr Danny Jordaan is in Rabat, Morocco to attend the CAF Executive Committee meeting on 19 April 2024. After the successful 32nd SAFA Ordinary Congress held at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre in Johannesburg at the weekend, Jordaan is continuing with the association’s work and will, among other things, give CAF a full briefing on the outcome of the gathering in South Africa.
“Delegates from around the country descended on the venue in the east of Johannesburg to attend an event that was also graced by representatives from, among others, FIFA, SASCOC, COSAFA, and the Special Member, the National Soccer League (NSL). FIFA has already expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the SAFA Congress.
“More than 50 women were part of the delegates from different regions and represented the structures of football, some of them presidents and some vice presidents. They expressed their satisfaction and happiness with the progress that SAFA has made, and the commitment to women’s football,” he said.
Jordaan said the congress decided that every delegation must include at least one woman, which would bring more than 60 women to Congress, up from more than 50. He further said from a South African point of view, SAFA is looking forward to the announcement of the dates of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
“Banyana Banyana are the defending champions after beating Morocco 2-1 in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat in July 2022 to win the continental title for the first time,” he added.
The police in Ikageng request the community’s assistance in locating Tshepo Sois (28), who resides in Extension 7, in Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani, Sois was last seen by his mother on 10 January 2024.
“A search was conducted in the township and the surrounding areas, but that did not yield positive results. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a black trouser, black jacket and white shoes.
“He is dark in complexion, brown eyes, with a
medium body, 1.68m in height with black beard. Anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts, is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Phale on 060 987 7601 or call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111,” she said.
Funani said anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the My SAPS App from one’ smart phone.
Picture: The sod-turning of the rebuilding of Kagisano-Barolong Secondary School/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they have undertaken a ceremonial sod-turning on Thursday at Kagisano-Barolong Secondary School in Logageng village, outside Mahikeng, which marks the commencement of another crucial infrastructural project.
Motsumi said the rebuilding of Kagiso-Barolong Secondary School, aimed at providing inclusive education to the community of Logageng. She further said Kagisano-Barolong Secondary stands as a ‘beacon of hope’ for the community of Logageng, which has long been in need of conducive educational facilities as the current demolished structure had dilapidated.
“This Freedom Month is fitting that, we take proactive steps towards realizing the ideals of freedom and equality in education. The sod-turning ceremony of Kagiso-Barolong Secondary School symbolizes our collective dedication to building a future, where every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
“We also believe the project will uplift our communities, through job opportunities both for skilled and unskilled labour. The school will boost of 16 classrooms, a multipurpose classroom, science lab, computer lab, library, admin block, nutrition centre, ablutions and a change room,” she added.
Motsumi said this will include a tuckshop, a guard house, soccer fields, two combi courts, security fencing, 24 parking bays, electricity, water and sewer treatment plant among other facilities.
Picture: The deceased, Keogaile Hendrick Ditlhareng/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Former Chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Keogaile Hendrick Ditlhareng (56), is to be buried at the Itsoseng Cemetery on Saturday. A funeral service will commence at 07:00 at the Roman Catholic Church.
Various speakers representing revolutionary alliance structures such as SANCO, SACP and COSATU, spoke of his unwavering commitment to the cause of the struggle for liberation and the role he played in advancing community struggles.
They spoke about how Ditlhareng was undervalued and unappreciated, hence he was unceremoniously discharged from Ditsobotla Local Municipality, despite the difference he made to communities and households that benefitted from his services in the community services unit.
The ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member, Hendrick Botha, appealed for unity in order to sustain Ditlhareng’s legacy of selflessness and dedicated service that he epitomized.
“A befitting tribute to this servant leader and cadre of great wisdom of our movement would be to mobilise our communities to defend the gains of our freedom and democracy by voting for the ANC in the 29 May 2024 elections.
“Ditlhareng who was a widower after his wife passed away two years ago is survived by his brother, younger sister and his four children. Ditlhareng, who had also served a term as an African National Congress (ANC) councillor, as well as an employee of Ditsobotla Local Municipality, was a champion of service delivery, an agent of change,” he said.
Botha further said, indeed Ditlhareng was a transformational leader, disciplinarian, humble as well as a compassionate community builder, an epitome of love and a loving father. Those who were part of memorial service held at Itsoseng Community Hall were ANC PEC member, Molefe Morutse, Deployee to the Ditsobotla PCO, ANC MP, Tidimalo Legwase, SANCO Ngaka Modiri Molema Regional Secretary, ANC Veteran, Sticks Thebe, former Ditsobotla mayor, Lesego Holele, former councillor, Kedibone Matlhomane and other activists.
Meanwhile, the principal of P.P Phaladi Primary School, Lekwane Molamu, recounted how Ditlhareng who was recently elected to serve on the School Governing Body (SGB) loved his two children.
Picture: The drugs allegedly found in possession of illegal drugs/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (36) has been arrested for possession of drugs in Prieska. The suspect, who is a Nigerian national, was arrested by the Prieska Crime Prevention Unit on 17 April 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police allegedly received a tip-off regarding drugs being delivered at a house in Madiba Square in Prieska and followed it up.
“Upon arrival, the police requested permission to search the premises, which was granted by the suspect. They allegedly found mandrax tablets, cocaine and crystal meth with an estimated street value of R68 490.
“The suspect was arrested and charged for illegal possession of drugs and will appear in the Prieska Magistrates Court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the public for reporting criminality to the police. Otola, praised the Prieska Crime Prevention Unit members for the swift response.
“The public is encouraged to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE online survey to assist the police in improving services,” she said.
The Guardian 