A man (21) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Groblershoop Regional Court for raping two men. On 3 April 2022, a victim (18) was on his way home at around midnight from a local tavern in Groblershoop, when he was accosted by Gerrit De Wee.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said De Wee forcefully dragged him into nearby bushes in Theresa Valley and raped him. Kock said De Wee was arrested the next day, but was later released on R500 bail.
“While out on bail, he struck again and pounced on his second victim on 1 February 2023. At approximately midday, a boy (15) was out grazing cattle near the Orange River, when the accused accosted and threatened him with a knife and raped him.
“De Wee was arrested the following day and remained in custody until his sentencing in the Groblershoop Regional Court on 19 July 2024. The two cases were trialled together and the accused was sentenced to 10 years for raping a man (18) and 15 year imprisonment for raping a boy (15),” he said.
Kock further said the sentences will run concurrently. He added that the SAPS will remain focused on prioritizing Gender-Based Violence AND Femicide (GBVF) crimes.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended Detective Sergeants Lebogang Mokwene and Elliot Geya from the Upington Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for their excellent investigative work that led to the outstanding GBVF convictions.
A man (27) sentenced to ten years imprisonment for raping his ex-girlfriend’s mother (47). On 7 June 2021, the victim was sleeping in her house around 11pm, when she heard a knock at the door.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the person refused to give identity and she then did not respond. Masegela said after a while, the accused broke the kitchen window and the victim went to inspect.
“She identified the man as the ex-boyfriend of her daughter. She quickly alerted her daughter, who was sleeping in another room to run away and seek help. The daughter had a protection order against him, which prohibits him from certain actions.
“The accused gained entry into the house looking for his ex-girlfriend with whom he is having a child with and could not find her. He then allegedly attacked the mother, who was in the house and raped her,” she said.
Masegela further said the matter was reported to the police and investigations were instituted. She added that the accused was arrested and brought before court.
“On 19 July 2024, the Northern Cape High Court convicted the accused on all charges and he was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment for rape, two years for house-breaking with the intent to commit a crime and 5 years for Contravention of Protection order.
“The excellent investigation and commitment by Sergeant Lebogang Mfati attached to Upington Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit in ensuring that another perpetrator of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is brought to justice in Upington was applauded by the management of the SAPS in the Northern Cape,” said Masegela.
Picture: Some of conductors with their trophies/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 2024 Provincial ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) Championships, which ran smoothly without any reported incidents. Motsumi said the event was held at Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng on 18 to 20 July 2024.
She further said the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod programme is one of the most critical school enrichment programmes that promotes unity in diversity, national reconciliation and social cohesion amongst the learners. Motsumi added that almost 2600 secondary and primary school learners from all over the province competed in different categories of the music competition.
“All the position ones are proceeding to represent the province at the national championships. We urge artists from the province to feature learners in their albums. I wish to congratulate each and every learner who has made it to this level.
“It has not been easy for every one of you to reach the provincial level. Credit and recognition should be given to our teachers for their sterling work. As a department, we do not only teach learners in class, we also mould their talents out of the class in music and in sports,” she said.
Motsumi said they want to make a humble request to artists in the province to consider featuring learners in their albums because they are highly talented. She said the following schools are proceeding to compete at the national championships:
Foundation Phase: Grades 3-4
Reoleboge Special school from Bojanala District obtained the first position in Own Choice category.
Motlhabane Primary School from Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained the first position in the Boys Choir category, Ramaifala Primary School from Bojanala District obtained two first positions in the Sextet and Chamber Choirs categories, Kgwanyape Primary School from Bojanala District obtained the first positions in two different categories namely; Mixed Choir Western and Mixed Choir African and Sunrise View Primary School from Ramoshana Township, Bojanala District obtained a first position in the Social-ills Jingle and Folklore Items categories.
Secondary Schools: Open Section
Tlamelang Special School in Gelukspan, Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained the first position in the Own Choice category, Batswana Secondary School in Mafikeng, Ngaka Modiri Molema District scooped the first position in the Soprano Solo category, Baitshoki Secondary School in Itsoseng Township, Ngaka Modiri Molema District scooped the first position in the Tenor Solo category, Tshebedisano Secondary School in Jouberton, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District obtained the first position in Mezzo Soprano category, Ntolo Secondary School in Bojanala District obtained the first position in the Bass/Baritone Solo category, Kebonang Secondary School in Mafikeng, Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained the first position in the Septet category
Secondary B Schools
Mothutlung Secondary school in Mothutlung, Bojanala District obtained the first position in the Mixed Choirs (Western) category, Ikatisong Secondary School in Bojanala District obtained the first position in the Mixed Choirs (African) category.
Farm and Small Schools
Moedwil Combined School in Bojanala District obtained two first positions in the Sextet and Chamber Choirs category.
Secondary Schools: Open Section
Mmabatho Secondary School in Mafikeng, Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained the first position in the SSA Choirs category, Kebonang Secondary School in Mafikeng, Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained the first position in the TTBB Choirs category.
Secondary A Schools
Kgaphamadi Secondary School from Bojanala District obtained the first position in the Mixed Choirs (Western), Matlosana Secondary School from Matlosana district scooped the first position in Mixed Choir (African) and Setilo Secondary School from Mareetsane village in Ngaka Modiri Molema District scooped the first position in the Social-ills Jingle and Folklore Items category.
The national championships took place from 07 to 10 August 2024 at Rhema Church in Randburg, Gauteng Province.
More than 793 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela which was conducted around the province starting from 15 to 21 July 2024. The suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle, theft out of / from motor vehicle and 54 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said of the 793 arrested suspects, 347 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), assault common, house robbery and business robbery. Myburgh said 29 undocumented persons were taken in for processing.
“The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, road blocks, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of 56 licensed liquor premises, 13 Second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others.
“The operation also resulted in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, four handguns and ammunition, three vehicles, liquor, tobacco products, and 11kg of copper cables,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for these successes and thanked the police for working tirelessly in keeping suspects behind bars.
Setshwantsho: Molwetsi, Oduetse Desemelo o go begwang a digetswe dingalo ke batlhankela ba tshireletso kwa bookelong jwa Taung
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Lelapa la molweetsi, Oduetse Desemela (42) go tswa mono Taung, le tlhalositse fa le setse le gamaregile. Se se setla morago ga magatwe a gore mogolowe wa bone o teketilwe ke batlhankela ba tshireletso kwa bookelong jwa sedika jwa Taung, le go motlogela ka letsogo le le sa tlholeng le dira.
Go begwa fa Oduetse o anang le bolwetsi jwa gowa, ga mmog le go latlhegelwa ke tlhaloganyo nako dingwe, a ne a amogelwa kwa bookelo. Fela go ya ka monnawe, Khanyiso Desemela, mogolowe one a teketiwa ke batlhankela ba tshireletso morago ga go latofadiwa ka go gogela motsoko kwa matlo-boithusetso a bookelo.
Desemela are, ga jaana letsogo la ga mogolowe ga le tlhole le dira, fela bookelo ga bo batle go rwala maikarabelo. Are bookelo bo tlhalositse fa bo isitse Oduetse kwa x-ray.
“Jaanong, ba re e shupile fa ane a tlhaselwa ke bolwetsi jwa go swa mohama (stroke). Fela se se makatsang ke gore re boditse ngaka gore ka a ne are o mo ntsha (discharged) kwa bookelo, a one a mo ntsha fela a ntse a tshwerwe ke bolwetsi jwa go swa mohama na?
“Gape ke ile ka botsa gore ke eng leoto la gagwe le lone le tshokame, fela ba tlhalositse fa go sena sepe. Ke ba boditse gore ke eng ele gone ba buang ka bolwetsi jwa go swa mohama fa ke ba botsa ka go teketiwa ga gagwe ke batlhankela ba tshireletso,” Desemela wa tlhalosa.
Desemela are ngaka ga mmogo le baoki ba tlhokile dikarabo. Are gape o ba boleletse gore aubuti wa gagwe ke motho o wang (epilepsy), mme ba mo teketile fa ba fetsa ba be ba mo tlogela.
“Go ya ka molwetsi o a neng a robetse mo thoko ga gagwe, batlhankela ba tshireletso ba ile ba teketa Oduetse, mme o ile a wa mogare ga bosigo mme ga bona thuso epe go tswa kwa baoki ba ba neng ba le mo tirong bosigo jo. Jaanong, ke nagana gore go tekitiwa ga gagwe ke gone go mo baketseng go swa mohama, gonne ene ke motho owang.
“Jaanong, ba paletswe ke go nkaraba ba re ba tla bolotsa dipatlisiso. Ke ba kopile gore ba nneele ditshwantsho tse di tswang kwa x-ray gape ba ganne. Ga ba bue gore a mme letsogo le robegile kgotsa jang. Fela se ke se itseng ke gore, aubuti one a sa nna jaana fa ke ne ke mo tlisa mo bookelong,” Desemelo wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa Lefapha la Boitekanelo mono Bokone Bophirima, Tebogo Lekgethwane are: “Lefapha la itse ka ditatofatso tsa gore molwetsi o teketilwe, mme re ile ra kopa pegelo go batlhakela ba tshireletso ba ba ganeditseng dipego tseo. Fela, lefapha le tla bolotsa dipatlisiso mo kganyeng e.
“Ga gona batlhakela ba tshireletso ba bletleletsweng go teketa balwetsi. Ke tiragalo ya ntlha ya selebo se, fela dipatlisiso di tsweletse.”
Picture: Former senior manager at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality, Mofura Moloto arrested by the Hawks
By OBAKENG MAJE
A corruption case against former senior manager at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality, Mofura Moloto (37) and her partner, Letladi Emmanuel Ramoroka (39), has been postponed to 28 August 2024. Moloto and Ramoroka briefly appeared before Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 22 July 2024, after they were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Brits on Friday.
According to the Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, the duo’s arrest emanates from an investigation into allegations of corruption in the awarding of a tender to supply and deliver eight laptops for the municipality.
“Investigation revealed that a senior municipal official allegedly awarded her alleged partner’s company a tender to the tune of R185 000 to supply and deliver the laptops.
“Further probe uncovered that the tender was awarded to a bidder with the highest quotation to other bidders. In March 2018, the municipality reportedly paid a company belonging to the municipal official’s partner an amount of R185 000,” he said.
Mathebula further said upon receiving the funds, the alleged partner to the municipal official, allegedly transferred an amount of R150 000 to a company belonging to his partner, the municipal official. He added that the pair has been charged with corruption.
“The accused were granted R15 000 bail each and their matter was postponed for further investigation,” he said.
Picture: The Mocumi family receiving a house from government/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
The family of Mocumi in Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa said they are grateful after they received a fully furnished RDP house from the government as part of Nelson Mandela Day celebration. Rosina Mocumi (59) said as a family of eight, they have been living in a one-roomed mud house and waited for a long time for a fully furnished house.
“I never had any formal employment and I survived on temporary work in nearby farms. However, I had to leave due to ill health. As a family, we solely depend on grants received by my last-born son, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
“We have been occupying a one room mud house that has been used as a bedroom, bathroom, living space and kitchen. The house does not have any proper flooring nor windows,” she said.
Mocumi further said 18 July 2024, was the best day of her life and she never imagined that she would one day be living normally in a proper house with furniture like any other family. She added that she would like to give thanks to the government for recognising her and her family as this has really improved their living conditions.
“I wish they would do the same to other families,” said Mocumi.
Meanwhile, as part of celebrating the world icon, Tata Madiba and in line with the poverty alleviation programme lead by government, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi said: “Mocumi family received groceries and a backyard garden. This food security initiative is aimed at promoting gardening and also seeks to encourage communities to grow their own foods especially during the current economic crisis.
“Nelson Mandela Day 2024 celebrations will forever be engraved in the hearts of the Mocumi family. This partnership with all stakeholders including Malapyane Properties, heralded a new era to the family. Their house was in the brink of collapse as it had to withstand heavy rainfalls and strong winds.”
Molapisi said Mandela Day does not only celebrate Tata Madiba’s birthday, but also recognizes and acknowledges the contribution he has made towards the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of culture and peace throughout the world. He said the call for change is not for the government alone, but for everyone, especially those who are more fortunate to join hands and do their bit in order to bring about change in the lives of the disadvantaged communities.
“This day is very essential in our lives because it reminds us of the challenges that we must tackle and resolve in making our country and the world at large a better place. We should also be mindful that our actions go a long way in the broader work of government in changing the lives of our society.
“It is for such a reason that the department brought in the expertise of Malapyane Properties to assist in improving the quality of life of the Mocumi family. The department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders in changing the livelihoods of communities by identifying families living in poor conditions,” said Molapisi.
Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng will present the department’s 2024/25 budget speech at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) on Tuesday. Morweng spokesperson, Charles Matlou said this will be in line with key areas of priority that the department will focus on, in order to render better services to the people of the North West Province.
“The speech will also highlight significant progress registered by the department from the previous financial year,” he said.
North West Premiere Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Provincial Council on Aids, wished the North West delegation well as they leave for Germany to attend the 25th International Aids Conference.
The North West delegation, led by MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi and North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Basetsana Dantjie, will attend the 25th International Aids Conference (AIDS 2024) in Germany from 22-26 July 2024 in Munich, Germany.
Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said the primary objective of the conference is to advance the HIV response and share innovative and scientific methods in accelerating access to HIV services to all people across the world. Tatai further said as the world’s largest conference on HIV/AIDS, it brings together scientists, policy makers, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, funders, media, and communities to further develop strategies aimed at fighting HIV-AIDS.
“Since its inception in 1985, the conference has served as a platform centred on strengthening policies and programmes that ensure an evidence-based response to HIV related epidemics.
“Delegates will also share knowledge, best practices and lessons learnt from the HIV response over the past forty years, as well as COVID-19, MPOX and other public health threats to strategically develop a unified and equitable response to the pandemic,” he added.
Picture: Seven accused persons on Manthe arson case
By OBAKENG MAJE
The trial on Manthe arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung, has been completed. The case has been postponed to 29 August 2024, for heads of argument before judgement.
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 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.
The Guardian 