The African National Congress (ANC) said it welcomes the groundswell of support it has received from communities across the country over the last few weeks, culminating in the successful Siyanqoba Rally at FNB Stadium on 25 May 2024.
The ruling party said the Siyanqoba Rally, which was attended by more than 75,000 people and was viewed by many more across the country, was a colourful celebration of the achievements of the democracy.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the support shows a strong vote of confidence in the ANC to continue to lead the transformation of the society. Bhengu-Motsiri said the ruling party extends thanks to everyone who came to the stadium to show their support and to all the ANC organisers and volunteers, who ensure the success of the event.
“The Siyanqoba Rally follows months of extensive engagement by ANC leaders, veterans and volunteers with communities across South Africa and with various formations and sectors of society and is a fulfilment of the injunction of “The People Shall Govern,” as advocated by the Freedom Charter.
“During these interactions, South Africans from all walks of life have shared their experiences of the last 30 years of democracy, and have spoken about their concerns, challenges and hopes,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri further said many of them recognise that the renewal of the ANC has made significant progress and that the organisation has done much to correct its shortcomings. She added that the people with whom they have interacted – and the thousands who attended the Siyanqoba Rally – have sent a clear message that they want to work with the ANC to improve their lives and to build their communities.
“Over the next two days, all ANC leaders, veterans and volunteers will be making a final push for a massive turnout of voters. They will be travelling the length and breadth of the country, calling on people to vote ANC and to spread the message of ‘Ramaphosa for President’.
“The ANC welcomes the conclusion of overseas voting and the start of special voting. It commends all South Africans who have already turned out to vote and thanks all of those who have chosen to vote for the ANC,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She said the ANC once again calls upon its members and supporters to exercise political tolerance, discipline and restraint during the elections.
More than 1100 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela that was conducted from 20-26 May 2024. According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police, supported by other law enforcement agencies, executed a total of 6 170 actions that included searching of 2 003 persons, 1 569 vehicles, 893 high visible patrols, ten roadblocks and the inspection of 393 liquor outlets and 29 second-hand goods dealers.
Myburgh said the suspects were amongst others, arrested for crimes such as rape, murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), common assault, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicle, theft out of/from motor vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and many others.
“Of the 1 123 arrested suspects, 413 were arrested during detective suspect raids. Furthermore, 37 undocumented persons were taken in for processing. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of 10 cell phones, copper cable liquor, two vehicles, six unlicensed firearms, 59 rounds of ammunition and a variety of drugs, such as crack cocaine, crystal meth and nyaope.
“In one of the incidents reported in Zeerust on Friday morning, the members of Zeerust Visible Policing, found two men walking next to the N4 road, towards the dumping site, carrying a back-pack,” she said.
Myburgh further said on seeing the police, the pair ran away, but police managed to apprehend one of them. She added that upon searching him, the police found copper cables with an estimated street value of R7000 in the back-pack and immediately arrested him as he could not account for the possession.
“A suspect (39) briefly appeared before the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police officers working together with other law enforcement agencies, including Traffic and Home Affairs to ensure that suspects are brought to book.
Five suspects were arrested for murder during a collaborative effort by Ikageng Detectives, Crime Intelligence, the Provincial Drug Task Team and Fochville Visible Policing on 24 May 2024.
The suspects were arrested following the death of Elissa Nikolene Maponyane (44), who was allegedly shot several times on 23 May 2024. The incident occurred at Maponyane’s place in Ikageng Township, in Potchefstroom.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the victim was declared dead by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) on the scene.
“Information received regarding the incident led a team to Kokosi Township, near Fochville where all five suspects aged between 19 and 48, were arrested. During the arrest, the police confiscated a Volkswagen Jetta vehicle, two firearms and ammunition alleged to have been used during the commission of the crime.
“The accused, Mpho Gift Visagie (19), Tebogo Lipholo (32), Phoka Raphoka (36), Mpho Thorn Bennet Lombard (32) and John Ramasubela Mohahabe (48), briefly appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 27 May 2024. They were remanded in custody until 4 June 2024,” she said.
Myburgh said the police investigations into the matter continue and linkages to other crimes cannot be ruled out.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police units involved for working around the clock to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Picture: Seven accused persons who are facing arson case
By OBAKENG MAJE
Arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung was postponed to 3 June 2024, due to unavailability of the defence lawyer. The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (42), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (47) Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (37), Ali Sakiele (51), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (39) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (33), were arrested and charged for arson.
The seven accused were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation. In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family.
They accused the alleged drug lord and rapist, Bakang Katong (33) of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”
Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (35), Thabang Lenyai (24) and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (32), were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder.
The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung. Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.
Picture: Seven of the accused persons in an arson case
By OBAKENG MAJE
The arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung, is set to resume in court today. The case was postponed by the Taung Regional Court after the state highlighted that it still has to submit the outstanding documents with crucial evidence before it could continue with the case.
The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Ali Sakiele (50), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32) were arrested and charged for arson.
The seven accused were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation.
In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family. They accused the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (32) of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”
Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder.
The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung. Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.
Setshwantsho: Porojeke ya go tsenngwa ga dipeipe kwa Kolong e leletswe ke dipoo
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Molekgotlha wa kwa masepaleng wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Pico Seepamere, yo gape a ikarabelang ka tsa mafaratlhatlha (Infrastructure) are ba setse ba thapile rakonteraka go ka tsweletsa porojeke ya go tsenya dipeipe tsa metsi kwa motsen wa Kolong.
Se setla morago ga gore masepala yo o inkarabelang ka metsi mo sedikeng, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, o kgaole tumalano e oneng o na le yone le setlamo se se aparetsweng ke dipuo-puo sa Phalaborwa.
Go ya ka Seepamere, masepala o bone go le matshwanedi go ka kgaogana le setlamo seo sa Phalaborwa, gonne go begwa fa se paletswe ke tiro ya sone. Gape, go begwa fa setlamo sa Phalaborwa se sa duela badiri ba sone dikgwedi di feta tharo.
“Re etetse kgotlha ya Batlhaping Baga-Maidi go tla go itsise semmuso rakonteraka wa Ultimate Dynamic mo segosing le mo baaging. Re ntse re kgarakgatsega ka ntlheng ya setlamo se se ntseng se thapetswe porejeke e ya metsi sa Phalaborwa.
“Ka lesego, re setse re bonetse porojeke e rakonteraka o montsha wa Ultimate Dynamic. Re setse re kopane le kgosi, mme o mo itumeletse. Kgosi wa mo itse le rona ra mo itse, gammogo le ditiro tsa gagwe. Re tsepame mo go thapeng monna o, gonne ditiro tsa gagwe ke tsone di mo buelelang,” Seepamere wa tlhalosa.
Seepamere are ga jaana, ba na le bonnete jwa gore Ultimate Dynamic ga e kitla e ba swabisa jaaka setlamo sa Phalaborwa. Are ba itse ka matshwenyego a badiri ba ba sa duelwang ba setlamo sa Phalaborwa.
“Re na le badiri ba kgale ba ba ntseng ba dira mo tlase ga setlamo sa Phalaborwa, mme ba na le dikgwedi ba sa duelwe. Jaanong, re batla go ba itsise gore re nnile le tumalano le rakonteraka o motsha gore o tlile go ba duela, ga mmogo le madi a bone a saletseng kwa morago. Mathata a bone a tlile go bona tharabololo.
“Re tla ba itsise gore ba tlile go boela leng kwa tirong le gore batla duelwa leng. Fela ga jaana, re kopile mogolaganyi (consultant) gore a tlhotlhomise ditlankana dingwe le maina a badiri ba, gore ba tle ba duelwe. Re tlile go simolola ka go tsenngwa ga dipeipe e se kgale,” Seepamere wa tlhalosa.
Seepamere are ba solofela go duela Ultimate Dynamic mo dikgweding di le tharo tse di saletseng kwa morago. Seepamere are porojeke e, e solofetswe go ka konosediwa mo dikgweding di le tharo, mme Batlhaping ba be ba nwa metsi.
Kgabagare, mongwe wa badiri ba ba kolotiwang madi a bone a saletseng kwa morago, Lucas Modise are ga a itumelela tsereganyo e e tlisitsweng ke masepala. Go ya ka Modise, rakonteraka wa Ultimate Dynamic, o ba boleletse gore ene o tlile go ba duela fela morago ga dibeke di le pedi.
“Ga re a itumela le eseng, gonne rakonteraka o montsha one a bua dilo disele tsa gore o tla re duela mo dibekeng tse pedi tse di tlang. Fela rona jaaka badiri, re batla gore pele ga ditlhopo re be re bone madi a rona,” Modise wa tlhalosa.
Setshwantsho: Setopo sa mosadi se bonwe kwa Ganyesa/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Sepodisi kwa Ganyesa se tlhalositse fa se batlisisa kgetsi ya polao. Se se tla morago ga gore go bonwe setopo sa mosadi wa dingwaga di le 56 mo mmileng mo letsatsing la maabane. Go ya ka dipego tse di sa totobalang, go begwa fa mosadi o a beteletswe pele a ka bolaiwa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are dipatlisiso di tsweletse.
“Ke nnete sepodisi se batlisisa kgetsi ya polao, mme diteko tsa morago ga loso, di tla tlhalosa ka botlalo gore loso la mosadi o le tlhodilwe ke eng. Sepodisi sene sa bilediwa kwa lefelong lenngwe kwa Bakola Section kwa Ganyesa, kwa ba fitlhetseng setopo sa mosadi teng.
“Re le sepodisi, ga nkitla re kgona go netefatsa fa mosadi o a beteletswe kgotsa nnyaa, gonne seo se tla netefadiwa fela ke diteko tsa morgao ga loso (postmortem),” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.
SAFA region Waterberg concluded their U15 Girls Inter-LFA League on Sunday out in Mokopane, Limpopo. The U15 Girls Inter-LFA League was launched under the Technical Development Scheme programme late last year and was piloted in four SAFA regions around the country.
SAFA Waterberg played a round robin format over the past few months to accommodate the large region, which compromises five Local Football Associations (LFA) – Bela Bela, Lephalale, Thabazimbi, Mogalakwena and Modimolle- Mookgophong.
Lephalale topped the group ahead of the last festival and went on to deliver a sterling performance to be crowned champions of the inaugural U15 Girls Inter-LFA League on Sunday, 26 May 2024.
U17 assistant coach Nthabeleng Modiko attended the event and was highly impressed by the massive talent, and the hidden gems in regions.
“This was a beautiful festival, which showed the talent we have in the country. We identified at least 15 players that can possibly be called up to the national team in the near future,” said Modiko.
SAFA Thabo Mofutsanyana in the Free State completed the project in March 2024, while SAFA Nkangala and Amajuba are yet to conclude.
Picture: The president of Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa
By OBAKENG MAJE
The president of Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa said the country is ready for the forthcoming General Elections. Ramaphosa was addressing the country on Sunday evening, where many people suggested that might be his last speech as the president of country owing to the much-anticipated elections on 29 May 2024.
He said as this 6th democratic administration draws to a close, the country has travelled together over the last 5 years. Ramaphosa further said tomorrow morning at 9am, in voting stations and homes across the country, South Africans who have registered for special votes will begin to cast their ballots.
“Thousands of South Africans living abroad have already voted. And this Wednesday, 29 May 2024, millions more South Africans will exercise this most important of democratic rights.
“This will be the seventh time that South Africans of all races, from all walks of life, from all corners of our country, will go to vote for national and provincial government,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that, they will once again assert the fundamental principle, articulated in the Freedom Charter, that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of all the people. He said in the days to come, they will be doing much more than exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“We will be determining the direction that our country takes. We will be taking responsibility for our future, the future of our families, our communities, and our nation. As we cast our votes, we will be vindicating the struggles and sacrifices of the generations before us who fought for this democracy.
“As in every election that we have held since 1994, we expect this election to be held in conditions of peace and stability, to be free and to be fair. We commend the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the impressive work they have undertaken in preparation for these elections,” said Ramphosa.
He said as a country, they have once again witnessed the capabilities of the IEC – in the successful voter registration weekends, in the registration of parties and candidates, in the preparation of ballot papers, in the organisation of overseas voting, and in the diligent application of their electoral laws.
Ramaphosa said he conveyed thanks and best wishes to the IEC commissioners, to the IEC staff and to the thousands of election workers as they deliver on this most important responsibility in the coming days.
“One of the defining features of all our elections since 1994 has been their integrity. This has been made possible not only by the work and conduct of the IEC, but also by the presence of party agents and independent observers.
“The involvement of party agents gives people confidence that there is effective oversight of all aspects of the electoral process. Through the presence of local and international observers we are able to satisfy ourselves that our elections conform not only to our own laws, but also to internationally-accepted standards of freeness and fairness,” he said.
Ramaphosa said they thank all the party agents and the election observers for the work they are doing, and reiterate that they must be allowed to do their work without any hindrance. He said in previous elections, the law enforcement agencies and security services have made extensive preparations to ensure that these elections are peaceful and that all South Africans can freely exercise their right to vote.
“They have been deployed throughout the country to ensure that there are no disturbances or disruptions to the election process. We thank them for their professionalism, their dedication and their vigilance.
“Over the course of the last few months, many different parties and candidates have vigorously and enthusiastically campaigned for votes. While the contestation has been robust and has, at times, become heated, campaigning has been peaceful and free of intimidation,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they commend all parties that have upheld the Electoral Code of Conduct and that have ensured that their supporters adhere to the democratic principles that have long characterised our elections. Ramaphosa said they should all be concerned at reports that came out today about the obstruction of election activities, including unlawful entry at IEC storage sites in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We once again call upon all parties, candidates, supporters and every South African to refrain from any action that could interfere with the due electoral process. Regardless of the outcome, let this election further entrench our democracy and strengthen our commitment to uphold it.
“This election brings to a close the sixth administration of our democracy. When this administration took office in 2019, our country stood at a turning point. We had endured a decade of corruption and state capture, of weak economic growth and the erosion of our public institutions,” he said.
Picture: The Mandela Drive Road in Mahikeng opened for traffic/Facebook
By REGINALD KANYANE
Action SA said the North West roads are amongst the worst in the country. Action SA Team FixSA Member for Infrastructure, Michael Beaumont said the province has nearly 20 000km of road network and yet less than 6000km is tarred.
Beaumont said that which is tarred, has degraded due to a combination of factors, including insufficient road maintenance and the overuse of heavy vehicles arising from the collapse of the rail network.
“Our visit inspected the old Soutpan Road between Dikube and Moretele, which had been built in 2002 and received no maintenance. The degradation of the road surface has gone down to the level of the base layer, which will now require total road reconstruction.
“Further through the programme, Action SA inspected a stretch of road leading to Ga-Habedi that had been graded and gravel laid in 2009. Community members showed Action SA that in every election since 2009 road signs and stones are placed to deceive the community into believing it is about to be tarred, only to be removed again after the elections without any progress,” he said.
He further said of equal concern are the numerous roads in the province, which reveal a failure of the North West Provincial Government to appoint contractors based on their ability to deliver. Beaumont added that numerous examples are evident of road works that were initiated, millions paid, and projects left incomplete.
“It is evident that the challenges facing the roads backlog in the North West can be addressed. The fact that less than 30% of the North West road network is tarred at this point into our democracy is the true failure of this province. Any government that prioritised the road network and managed public funds appropriately would have much more to show,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said: “The North West Department of Public Works and Roads has re-sealed a total of 91km of surfaced roads across the province in the 2023/24 Financial Year. The monetary value of these projects is in the region of R400 million.
“One of these projects is the Nelson Mandela Drive through Mahikeng linking Mahikeng to Botswana. The project has been completed and the road was opened to traffic today. In addition to the aforementioned interventions, the department through the support of the Provincial Treasury, ring-fenced R40 million to help address road infrastructure backlogs through patching of potholes in municipalities.”
Maloyi said these municipalities, including Mahikeng where a special campaign was launched by the North West Premier, Bushy Maape to tackle potholes under the theme: “City without Potholes”. He said other municipalities include Ditsobotla, Madibeng, Rustenburg, Naledi, JB Marks and the City of Matlosana.
“The latter required more attention as it has a vast array of residential areas across the KOSH area. Since the national launch of the Vala Zonke Programme in August 2022, the government has made great strides in dealing with potholes across both provincial and municipal roads.
“In April 2024 alone, our internal teams patched a total of 901 potholes, while in the 2023/24 financial year, the province patched a total of 34 329 potholes,” said Maloyi.
The Guardian 