A man (28) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for rape. Thatayaone Abia Sekgantlha Motshegetsi raped a woman (26) at Lokaleng village in Heuningvlei on 19 March 2023. Motshegetsi and the victim were walking together from a local tavern when he assaulted and raped her.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said Motshegetsi was found guilty and sentenced 10 years. Sam said the court also instructed that Motshegetsi’s name be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
“The Detective Constable, Lorato Badukane, led the investigation and ensured that justice is served for victims of GBVF,” he said.
Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated by the police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
A man (18) was arrested for being in possession of drugs in Marydale on 27 May 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police allegedly received a tip-off regarding a suspicious unknown person in Bokwe Street in Marydale.
“Upon arrival, the police spotted the identified person who, upon seeing the police, ran away. The police gave chase and caught up with him in the Zwelitsha Township.
“Upon further investigation, the police recovered mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R4 320. The suspect was arrested and charged for illegal possession of drugs and will appear in the Marydale Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
Shemane said the police were commended for their swift response and removing drugs from the streets. He also applauded the community for their active role in reporting crime.
“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.
Picture: The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi introduces the newly-appointed contractor/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, accompanied by the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, met with the Bakwena-Ba-Mogopa community in Bethanie on Thursday.
The meeting occurred before the last instalment of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole for the 6th administration held at Chaneng village, near Rustenburg.
During the session, Molapisi officially introduced the newly-appointed contractor for the D109 Road project, which extends from Berseba at the intersection with Road P51/1 (Majakaneng to Sun City). He further said the road passes through Madikwe and Bethanie and ends at 22, 5km at the intersection with R511 Road between Brits and Thabazimbi.
He added that they introduced Maximus Earthworks as the newly-appointed contractor following the termination of the contract by the previous service provider.
“The project will take approximately 10 months to complete at a total value of R 106 638 989.40. The target set aside for Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) through sub-contracting opportunities for this project stands at a whopping R 21.9 million (excluding VAT).
“This will bring about 30 work opportunities for local communities. Skills transfer will also be part of this project as participants will receive technical, generic, and managerial skills with 2 students in the Built Environment,” said Molapisi.
He said his department places provision of quality road infrastructure as key for economic growth in the province. Molapisi said he is pleased that the administration did not delay the appointment of the new contractor.
“I am more delighted about the economic benefits as a result of the road project,” he said.
Banyana Banyana reported for camp in Johannesburg on Sunday evening, where they will have two local training sessions before heading to Dakar, Senegal on Wednesday to play two international friendly matches against the West Africans.
The Sasol-sponsored South African Senior Women’s National Team, missed out on qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games and have dusted themselves up after the disappointment as they focus on the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the regional COSAFA Women’s Championships.
The Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis said: “We are having a look at players who have raised their hands and want to get an opportunity with the national team. We are looking at making the core group bigger and here is an opportunity for players who have not been getting regular game time to cement their place in the squad.
“Following the initial squad announcement a few days ago, three changes have been made and this will give players a chance to show their hunger to represent the nation.”
Ellis further said Hilda Magaia has been replaced by Lesego Nkoane from TS Galaxy Queens due to medical reasons, while the UWC duo of Fikile Magama and Bongeka Gamede have been replaced by UJ’s Shannon Macoma, Ayesha Moosa due to university exams.
She added that all local-based players have reported for camp, while the international-based group will connect with the team enroute to Senegal.
Picture: Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
The Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Senzo Mchunu, accompanied by his Deputy Judith Tshabalala, the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi and the executive mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Sheila Mabale-Huma, launched the Phase 2 of Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project in Mafenya, Chaneng in Rustenburg as part of the North West Provincial Government Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole on 24 May 2024.
The project, which is part of the “Operation Bulela Metsi” Programme, Phase 2 of the Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Project is funded under the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) consisting of the construction of a 30ML Tlhabane reservoir, the construction of Mafenya pump station and a 28km pipeline to Tlhabane reservoir.
Mchunu said the construction of the 30ML reservoir has been completed and that the Rustenburg communities will soon receive water after connecting the remaining 2-kilometer pipeline. He further said the state-of-the-art pump station with three pumps, one which will be in use and the other two for reserve, is one of the best in the province.
Mchunu added that it will enable continuous maintenance while simultaneously supplying water to communities.
“Come September, the problem of water will be a thing of the past when phase two of the Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply project will be completed. Then the implementation will proceed to phase three of Magalies Water Master Plan, which involves extending water pipes to the south of the province, where municipalities such as Kgetlengrivier, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities and further to Supingstad near the border to Botswana will then complete the master plan in terms of implementation,” he said.
Maloyi cautioned the unwanted involvement or disturbance of the construction mafia, whom he says are delaying the implementation of the water infrastructure projects. He encouraged communities to guard their water infrastructure to ensure that water flows to them.
“More than 63 238 households in the Royal Bafokeng Administration, which consists of areas such as Phokeng, Rasimone, Ga-Luka, Mogono, Kanana, Mosenthal and Boitekong stand to benefit from the project.
“This includes Bokamoso, Boschoek, Buffelsfontein, Elandsfontein, Freedom Park, Frischgewaagd, Meriting, Oorzak, Paardekraal, Platinum Mine, Popo Molefe, Rustenburg, Seraleng, Setlhokwe, Tlhabane, Waterkloof, Waterval and Wildebeesfontein in Rustenburg. The project has already created 259 jobs for locals,” said Maloyi.
Picture: The patient, Martha Vanstawel, who underwent heart surgery/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A collaborative partnership between the North West and Gauteng provincial Department of Health has led to the successful performing of the first-ever open heart surgery at a provincial referral hospital in the North West. Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital Complex, supported by the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), achieved a historical milestone on 24 May 2024.
The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said a patient, Martha Vanstawel (38), who was operated on, has been known to the Gauteng Cardiac Services since 2006. Sambatha further said she suffered from mitral regurgitation (a leaking valve) with a submitral aneurysm (abnormal swelling of the heart).
“Surgery was recommended as far back as 2006, but she declined as she was not emotionally ready. A decade later the patient agreed to have the surgery. The discussions to start cardiac services at the Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex date back to 2010, with structural planning beginning a decade later.
“Heart operations, by their very nature, require enormous capital investments, manpower, and infrastructure. As such, this feat could only be achieved by careful planning and execution,” he said.
Sambatha added that the Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex dedicated itself to achieving all the necessary requirements by renovating its theatres during the COVID-19 pandemic and acquiring the necessary equipment. He said at the same time, various plenary meetings were held between the two hospitals to prepare for the now successful surgery.
“The hospital management, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthetists, perfusionists and theatre-trained nurses supported by physicians, cardiologists and the clinical engineering team supported these efforts equally on both sides which led to the culmination of this historic achievement.
“The patient has already been extubated. She is doing well in the intensive care unit and is in high spirits. This demonstrates that the intensive care unit at Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex is equally suited to managing complex cases,” said Sambatha.
The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said: “The collaboration has paved the way for enhanced healthcare delivery, ensuring that specialised services are accessible to all citizens in need of critical care regardless of their province of origin.
“This initiative exemplifies the transformation of health services in South Africa, focusing on access and equity to healthcare. By bringing such advanced medical care to the North West, we ensure that patients receive the necessary treatment without the added burden of traveling long distances, thereby reducing both financial and emotional strain on them and their families.”
Meanwhile, Vanstawel said she is grateful for the care and treatment she received so far. She said she is also thankful that the operation was done here at home, where her family can easily come to see her.
“Thank you to all the doctors and nurses, and everyone who made this operation a success. This was a clear demonstration that with the right mindset and resources, any government hospital could perform the surgeries that have often been viewed as surgeries performed only in tertiary university hospitals,” said Vanstawel.
Picture: Bags of dagga worth R200 000 seized/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
A man (34) was arrested for being in possession of bags of dagga with an estimated street value of R200 000 during Operation Vala Umgodiin Springbok on 26 May 2024.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said a multi-disciplinary team was conducting crime prevention activities in Springbok when they received a tip-off.
“Whilst conducting patrols in the area, the team received information regarding alleged drug dealing activities at a specific house in Bergsig, in Springbok.
“The team operationalised the information by responding swiftly and searched the house. The suspect was arrested and will appear in Springbok Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the police for their continued efforts in the fight against illicit mining and other related crimes in the Namakwa District.
Setshwantsho: Baagi ba boloditse mogwanto kwa Vaaltyn
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba kwa motseng wa Vaaltyn, gaufi le Taung, ba tlhotse ba boloditse mogwanto kgatlhanong le thebolo e bokowa ya ditirelo mo letsatsing la gompieno. Baagi ba, ba tlhalositse fa puso ya ga jaana e sa ba direle sepe.
Mongwe wa baagi, Edwin Motshidi are ha e sale masepala o mogolwane wa Taung o ba tshepisitse dipone tsa mo mebileng (high mast lights), fela ga go nko e tswang lemina. Motshidi are ba tshotse matsapa go ka buisana le molekgotlha, fela ga sekegele selelo sa bone tsebe, ke ka moo ba boloditseng mogwanto.
“Gape, re ile ra tshepisiwa tsela ya paving, mme ga ke tshepe fa sengwe se ka diragala. Re lela le ka Lefapha la Ditsela mo Bokone Bophirima. Re ile kwa dikantorong tsa bone, mme ga ra bona dikarabo. Re kwadile makwalo gore lefapha leo le tle go re itsise gore le re agela leng tsela ya R225, fela re sa ntse re beile letsogo mo phatlheng.
“Tsela e ya rona ga e tsamaege, mme e tlhola dikotsi. Gape, ga rena kliniki, mme Lefapha la Boitekanelo mo Bokone Bophirima, le ne le ntse le tlisa mobile clinic, fela rena le dikgwedi di le tharo o sa tle. Seo, se feleletsa se pateletsa bagolo ba rona gore ba palame go ya kwa Reivilo go ya go tsaya dipilisi tsa bone,” Motshidi wa tlhalosa.
Motshidi are gape ba lela ka seemo sa sekolo se se potlana sa Ikhutseng. Go ya ka Motshidi, sekolo seo ga se mo maemong a siameng, mme se ka wa nako engwe le engwe.
“Rakontereka o ile atla, fela go fitlha ga jaana ga re itse gore madi a neng a tshwanetse a age sekolo seo a ile kae. E ne ya re fa re botsa, lefapha le ile la re bolelela ka palo e kwa tlase ya baithuti. Jaanong, seo se ile sa re makatsa thata gonne gona le dikolo dingwe tse di nang le baithuti ba ba kwa tlase ka palo, fela ga go buiwe ka tsone.
“Ntlha-phisegelo enngwe ke tlhokego ya metsi. Re dirisa engine go pompa metsi, mme yone e dirisa diesel. Jaanong, engine e e rothisetsa diesel mo teng ga metsi, mme seo se a kgotlhele.
“Re kopa gore puso e golaganye motlakase, mme e tswe mo tirisong ya diesel. Fela setlamo se se rebolang metsi sa Magalies Water, ba tlhalositse fa ba dirisa engine, gonne go ke go nne le kgaogo ya motlakase. Re ne re ikuela go puso gore e dirise engine fela fa motlakase o kgaogile,” Motshidi wa tlhalosa.
Majoro-khuduthamaga wa masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Motseokae Maje are: “Ditlhokego tsa baagi tse di kwa setlhoweng ke tlhokego ya tsela, mme ra iponela le rona gore ke nnete tsela ga eo. Ke buile le tlhogo ya Lefapha la Ditsela mo Bokone Bophirima, mme o re netefaleditse fa a tlile go romela mokaedi wa gagwe wa sedika go tla go tlhalosetsa baagi gore go tlile go diriwa eng mo nakong e khutshwane go netefatsa fa tsela ya bone e tsamaega.
“Se sengwe ke tlhokego ya kliniki, mme re dumalane gore ka Labone go tla tlisiwa mobile clinic. Gape, baagi ba rona ba kaile fa ba sa tlhole ba batla go tlamelwa ka metsi a pompiwang ka diesel, mme re fetolele seo kwa motlakaseng. Mo ntlheng eo, re tla leka go kopa Eskom gore e re golaganyetse motlakase.”
Maje are ntlha enngwe e baagi ba e tlhaigitseng ke tlhokego ya di pone tsa mo mmileng (high mast lights), fela o tla kopana le majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe go rarabolola bothata jo.
Kgabagare, motlatsa-mokwaledi wa mokgatlho wa baagi wa SANCO mo sedikeng, Mothohela Dikhai are dilelo tsa baagi ke tse diutlwalang, mme ba itumeletse tsereganyo e e tlisitsweng ka Maje.
Picture: New police vehicles handed over to the police/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The Northern Cape Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, handed over six new vehicles to advance the policing of illicit mining activities in the province. Ngubelanga said this follows the official opening of the 24-hour National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) Coordination Centre (NCC) at the SAPS Tshwane Academy in Pretoria on 24 May 2024.
“During the ceremony, the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, together with the National Commissioner of the Police, General Fannie Masemola, handed over vehicles to various specialised operations units.
“The vehicles were handed over to enable members to swiftly respond to and address illicit mining and related matters in the mining hotspot areas of the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts,” he said.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), which is jointly led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the State Security Agency (SSA), is confident and want to assure the millions of registered voters in the province that proper and adequate safety, health and security measures and interventions, are in place to enable the IEC to deliver free, fair and credible National and Provincial Elections 2024.
Kwena was addressing the media at the Provincial Disaster Management in Mahikeng on 27 May 2024. He said following months of preparations, the PROVJOINTS as the Operational component of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), has developed and is ready to actualize a Security Strategy and Operational Plan that coordinate and integrates all the resources, capabilities under one Joint Operational Command to create a safe, secure and conducive environment for the IEC to do its work and for eligible registered voters to exercise their right to vote without fear of violence or harm from human or natural disasters or threats.
“As committed and in line with the PROVJOINTS Operational Plan, officers and members are deployed to discharge their various elections related tasks starting with the Special Votes days at 1698 voting stations across the province for 136 639 walking-in votes and 43 526 home visits.
“The Provincial Joint Operational Centre (PROVJOC) is operating and coordinating Election Security Plan through five District JOCs, which have been activated and will remain operational until the IEC has announced the final results and officially closed its Results Operations Centre,” he said.
Kwena further said the Joint Operations Centres serve as Central, Command and Coordination points for the reporting of incidents or possible emergencies in order to ensure swift, prompt and coordinated response. He added that the Operational Intelligence Coordination Committee (OICC), has already categorised and identified the risks of the voting stations to ensure that there is constant monitoring of those considered to be volatile.
“The exercise also assisted in the number of proportionate static deployments needed per voting district / station. It is still important to emphasise that, despite all these preparations by the PROVJOINTS, without support and cooperation of all the citizens/inhabitants and political parties of mutual respect and tolerance and respect for the rule of law and specifically the Constitution of the Republic Bill of Rights the holding of free, fair and credible elections will be comprised.
“Let us remember that, all participating political parties have signed the Electoral Code of Conduct and a Pledge to abide by the Electoral Act. We are therefore confident that leaders, members and supporters are ready to work with the PROVJOINTS to make sure that the elections are held in a peaceful, safe and secure environment,” said Kwena.
He said while the PROVJOINTS is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring a safe and secure, conducive environment for the free, fair and credible elections, this is in fact everyone’s duty and responsibility as a patriotic South African and not the IEC’s or JOINTS task alone.
Kwena said the PROVJOINTS therefore calls upon all peace loving, responsible and patriotic South Africans and inhabitants of the North West from Dikgosi, Faith Based Organisations, Private Securities, Different Political formations and parties, the entire Civil Society and Community Police Forum (CPF) to work with the South African Police Service and other Law Enforcement Agencies to avoid unnecessary disruptions, violent protests and general lawlessness that may impede or jeopardise the 2024 National and Provincial elections.
“The PROVJOINTS is aware of and is closely monitoring the situation at identified hotspots or potential violence flashpoints where reports of attempts to influence or intimidate the community to stay away from elections and thus to disrupt or stop the elections.
“Any protest about lack of or poor delivery of basic services that result in, intimidation and threats damage to critical infrastructure, barricading of roads will be dealt with decisively by the police,” he said.
The Guardian 