Picture: The executive mayor of the City of Matlosana, Fikile Mahlophe
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The executive mayor of the City of Matlosana, Fikile Mahlophe, has officially announced the new Members of Mayoral Committee (MMCs).
Mahlophe said: “The city wishes the new members all the best in their tenure and looks forward to their impactful and thoughtful contributions to servicing the people of Matlosana.”
A man (48) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Phillipstown Regional Court for killing his life partner in Plakkerskamp Informal Settlement, near Phillipstown. On 27 January 2024, the Adam Van Rooy brutally beat his life partner Sarah Masok (51), with iron rod, where she was subsequently found dead by police when they attended the scene.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant’ Col Sergio Kock said Van Rooy was arrested afterwards and charged with murder.
“On 22 July 2024, he was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the murder. The police in the Northern Cape will continue with a zero tolerance approach towards GBVF perpetrators,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended Detective Constable Heroldt Saunders from the Phillipstown Detectives for his meticulous investigation that ensured no impunity is granted to the perpetrator of this brutal GBVF crime.
Picture: The Northern Cape police launch innovative programme for young offenders/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
As part of our ongoing efforts to support vulnerable members of the community, the police in Northern Cape have launched innovative programmes designed to help young offenders overcome their challenges and make positive changes in their lives.
Upington Police Station was one of the stations that was identified to have a programme with children in conflict with the law as part of the government’s effort to minimize crime through identification and assistance during the process of correction. ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said there are nine young people identified, profiled and will engage with essential stakeholders to build strategic partnership as a better tool in addressing common challenges and ensuring that they don’t become repeat offenders.
“The first phase of the programme has concluded and they are now beginning to do community services, crime prevention awareness and will be in continuous engagements with the police and other stakeholders to address their shortcomings and assist in changing their future for the better.
“Since the commencement of the programme, they have participated in soup kitchens for street dwellers, child protection projects and will be more involved in activities with the Spiritual and Youth Crime Prevention Desk,” she said.
Former ANC ward 5 councillor at the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Letlhogonolo Molefi (39), briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court today, on charges of intimidation, extortion and obstruction at the construction site. Molefi was arrested on 23 July 2024, during an undercover operation by the Provincial Organised Crime and Crime Intelligence working together with Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team (TRT).
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the Provincial Organised Crime allegedly received information on 18 July 2024, from a contractor who was installing fibre on the N12 road between Klerksdorp and Wolmaransstad, as well as between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom, about community members who were intimidating them.
‘The contractor was on 15 July 2024, allegedly approached by two men who introduced themselves as representatives of the Klerksdorp community and demanded jobs. Furthermore, the suspects demanded immediate payment of R50 000 protection fee.
“The victim was also instructed to leave the site and to come back when they have money to pay the suspects. It is alleged that the victims abandoned the site for five days, but the suspects kept on calling him about the payment,” she said.
Funani further said Molefe was eventually arrested in Klerksdorp during an undercover operation and found in possession of the state money. She added that Molefi was remanded in custody until 27 August 2024, for formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all members involved in the operation and said the arrest will serve as an indication that crime does not pay. Kwena said that no disruptions will be tolerated at construction sites.
Without the help of a particular enzyme, HIV/Aids cannot replicate itself and take over the body’s cells. Dr Andrew Motsilanyane, a recent PhD graduate from the North West University (NWU), has been targeting this enzyme, HIV-1 protease, in research that could open up new possibilities for drug development.
Motsilanyane’s work focuses on the critical role of HIV-1 protease in the virus’ lifecycle and emphasises the importance of targeting this enzyme in the development of integrase inhibitors.
He further said integrase inhibitors are one of several classes of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV as part of antiretroviral therapy.
“HIV needs integrase to replicate, but for this to happen, it needs the help of the HIV-1 protease enzyme. Without this enzyme, HIV cannot make integrase and take over CD4 cells to copy itself, which means the virus’s cycle is interrupted.
“My study provides a comprehensive view of HIV drug targets and recent advancements in antiviral therapeutics. Specifically, it highlights the significance of integrase inhibitors and developments in HIV-1 protease inhibitors,” said Motsilanyane.
He added that through meticulous analysis of computer-aided drug design studies, the research offers insights into the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 protease inhibition. Motsilanyane said the study employed various methodologies of computer aided drug design.
“It also used molecular dynamics simulations to explore potential inhibitors of HIV-1 protease, contributing to the drug discovery process. A significant finding is the identification of one of the compounds as a promising candidate for further research.
“When applying these computer-aided drug design tools, we were able to analyse them further and some of them passed toxicity tests, indicating its suitability for oral administration,” he said.
Motsilanyane said additionally, their molecular weight and other characteristics align with Lipinski’s rule of five (which sets out the rules for oral drugs), suggesting its potential for therapeutic development. He said this research offers valuable insights and has implications for developing innovative HIV inhibitors.
“It also lays a solid foundation for future research in this critical area,” said Motsilanyane.
More about Dr Andrew Motsilanyane
Motsilanyane enrolled for a BSc degree at the NWU in 2001. He pursued a postgraduate degree in education in 2007, followed by studies in psychology in 2008 and 2009.
He obtained an honours degree in chemistry in 2011 and an MSc degree in chemistry in 2018, also at the NWU. Motsilanyane worked as a teacher from 2006 to 2019 and was temporarily employed as a junior lecturer at the NWU’s Faculty of Education in 2019 and 2020.
The North West Premier, Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi will on 25 July 2024, deliver his maiden address during the official opening of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). In his address, Mokgosi is expected to outline the 7th Administration’s service delivery plans and priorities that are aimed at addressing the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequalities.
Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said, the Premier will articulate the provincial government’s investment initiatives in an endeavour to boost the province’s economy.
“Themed: “The Year of Unity, Socio-Economic Renewal and Nation Building”, the opening of the 7th Provincial Legislature ceremony will be attended by guests and stakeholders, including Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs), members of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, religious leaders, ambassadors, private sector representatives, community members and the media.
“The Premier’s Inaugural Address will be delivered at Mmabatho Stadium Parking Lot at 9am,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “The Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) made up of various government departments and security forces, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), is ready to ensure a safe and secure Official Opening of North West Legislature and Premier’s Inauguration Address.
“The law enforcement officers will be deployed in and around the parking area to ensure general safety in Mmabatho and Mahikeng. While daily activities will not necessarily be affected by security arrangements, it is significant for the public to take note of the closure with regulated or restricted access of certain roads and thoroughfares around the precinct between 5am and 3pm, as that will affect the flow of traffic.”
Myburgh said civil servants and neighbouring government buildings will still be allowed to access their offices. She said the streets/roads that will be affected are Sekame Road and Ngaka Modiri Molema Road, Dr James Moroka Drive and Ngaka Modiri Molema Road, Sekame Road, Kemonosi Street and Mmabatho Stadium Parking.
“The PROVJOINTS is making an appeal to members of the public, civil servants, learners and all those who normally use roads, streets, thoroughfares and other public offices in and around the aforementioned roads to work closely with and cooperate with law enforcement officials, who will be manning and working in the area.
“The deployment of law enforcement officials is intended to ensure that normal day today activities are not unduly affected or obstructed, and the cooperation of everyone is important in this regard,” said Myburgh.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Tebogo Letsie has expressed concern over a recent statement that an amount of R580 million was surrendered to the National Treasury by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Letsie said the committee is deeply concerned that such misleading statements could provoke students to act irresponsibly under the false impression that crucial financial support was forfeited without due care. He further said when a Minister has information about underspending, they must table it in parliament and not on social media platforms.
Letsie added that a significant portion of the underspent funds was allocated for compensation of employees, unfilled vacancies and for goods and services.
“Challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic were another contributing factor. Many students have not yet received their allowances and might mistakenly believe that funds which could alleviate their financial difficulties, were surrendered to the National Treasury.
“This misconception could lead to heightened tensions and possible disruptive actions by the affected students. The committee cautions the ministry to refrain from going to the media with reckless statements and would appreciate a briefing on this matter from the Department of Higher Education and Training, given that the committee approves the appropriation of funds for the sector,” he said.
The Guardian 