A woman (34), who brutally assaulted her former boyfriend (48) in Loxton, was sentenced to six years imprisonment by De Aar Circuit Regional Court. On 18 November 2023 at approximately 22:50, Petronella Vink stabbed and beat her ex-boyfriend with a hammer after he ended the relationship with her.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said Vink was immediately arrested. Kock said she abandoned her bail and remained in custody up until her sentencing.
“Vink was found guilty on assault with the intent to commit Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and sentenced to six years direct imprisonment. She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“Detective Constable Leevirne Raaf from the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, led the meticulous investigation that ensured that no impunity was granted to the perpetrator of the heinous offence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kock said the SAPS welcomes the six year prison sentence that was handed to Vink.
Picture: Former senior manager at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality arrested by the Hawks/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The former Senior Manager at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality in Ganyesa, was arrested along with her partner for alleged corruption. The suspect (37) and her partner (39), 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 and will appear in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 22 July 2024.
Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated by police/Supplied
By BAKANG MAKOTO
Three foreign nationals aged 28, 40 and 41, were arrested for dealing in drugs and transporting of drugs, defeating the ends of justice, and attempted murder. On 19 July 2024, the members from Springbok Public Order Police who were conducting routine crime prevention duties, received a tip-off regarding a vehicle with three foreign nationals believed to be transporting drugs from Okiep to Port Nolloth.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the police immediately operationalised the information and at approximately 23:30, they spotted the vehicle on the N7, near Steinkopf. Ehlers said they cordoned off the road in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
“However, the driver sped off when he saw the police. The police gave chase and noticed that one of the suspects was throwing objects out the window. Police managed to stop the vehicle and recovered a consignment of drugs as well as a scale.
“Tik, mandrax tablets, and mandrax powder with an estimated value of R72 636 were recovered and confiscated as well as cash believed to the proceeds of crime. The Toyota Corolla that the suspects were traveling in was also seized,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ehlers said the police in the Namakwa District will continue to vigorously police priority crimes, including drug related crimes throughout the district.
Picture: Heaven Sereetsi (NWU Eagles to Cape Town City)
By REGINALD KANYANE
It was an amazing season for some of the stars of the Varsity Football 2023 season, whose performances got the attention of Premier Soccer League (PSL) scouts and the women’s national team.
In true grassroots to greatness fashion, the Varsity Football tournament prides itself as a dynamic breeding ground for future football stars and in the past has produced several big names that went on to become successful on the provincial and national stage.
“Last year’s edition followed suit with several players kick-starting their professional careers. The NWU winger, Heaven Sereetsi had an outstanding season as the Eagles captain and his effort were duly rewarded with a PSL contract.
“Sereetsi had signed on the dotted line for the Citizens. In the UWC camp, striker Leandro De Sousa was approached by Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Pretoria Callies and accepted the offer while goalkeeper Leathan Croats got approached by Mamelodi Sundowns to play for the club’s Diski Challenge, but declined the offer.”
The university said VUT midfielder Medupi Thokolo was a standout performer for the Mavuti family and joined NFD side Casric Stars. It said the Varsity Football women’s tournament has in the past produced numerous stars, who went onto represent Banyana Banyana and with national coach, Desiree Ellis often coming out to watch the tournament.
“It’s no surprise that the class of 2023, saw several stars making their debut for the national side. The class of 2023 saw Ayesha Moosa (UJ), Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (TUT) and Chelsea Daniels (UWC) all being scouted to represent Banyana Banyana at the COSAFA Women’s Championships after the tournament ended.
“Chelsea and Tshogofatso were nominated for FNB Player of the Tournament. With the 2024 men’s tournament kicking off on 25 July and the women’s tournament on 26 July we can’t wait to see which players will emerge as the stars of the future.”
Two teachers who were implicated in a cheating scandal at Reivilo High School in Taung, were expelled. This comes after they were found guilty of assisting Grade 12 learners to engage in irregular practices to obtain an unfair advantage during the writing of the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
According to our highly-placed source, the teachers received expulsion letters on Friday. It is alleged that accounting learners cheated and the North West Department of Education withheld their results.
Some of the affected learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, cited that even though they cheated during the final examinations, these teachers were aiding them.
“The question paper was leaked by certain teachers and we had to fork R3000 per learner. So, I’m still sitting at home without knowing my fate. It is true that our results were withheld and the department said, we will only be eligible to write the accounting question paper in November 2025.
“We are prohibited from writing the subject for two years. They said we will only be allowed to write the November 2024 examination, once the sanction period has expired,” she said.
She said this has affected her livelihoods because she does not know what the future holds for her anymore. According to the learner, nothing has been done to those teachers who were implicated in cheating, but only learners were forced to bear the brunt.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “Remember, this particular issue lies with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) now. They are the ones in charge and investigating it. So, that means as the MEC affected, I must find ways to write to the DBE and request a final report on the matter. Indeed, this issue deals with the future of Grade 12 learners, who were affected including teachers who were implicated.
“So, we must find closure as a matter of urgency, more especially as we prepare for the National Senior Certificate examinations for 2024 academic year. We need to make sure that this matter reaches its finality.”
The Mamelodi Magistrates’ Court denied a Gauteng Provincial Traffic official Zakhele Bennet Hlongwane (53) from Mamelodi bail. Hlongwane is facing a charge of premeditated murder of his wife Tili Desire Ngobeni (33), as well as a charge of pointing of a firearm and housebreaking with intent to murder.
It is alleged that on 1 April 2024 at around 5am, the accused went to the deceased place of residence in Mamelodi. On arrival, Hlongwane broke open the deceased room door and began to shoot her multiple times in the presence of their five and three-year-old children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng Lumka Mahanjana said after the brother of the deceased heard the gunshots, he came out of his room and the accused pointed at him with a firearm.
“An hour later, Hlongwane handed himself over to the Mamelodi Police Station and has been in custody since. In court through his legal representative, he asked to be released on bail because after committing the offences, he had an opportunity to flee, but rather submitted himself to the police.
“Moreover, he needed to take care of his daughter (15) and feared that his place of residence would continue being vandalized by criminals. However, state prosecutor Tshilidzi Mugeri opposed the bail application saying that the accused personally knows the witnesses, therefore granting him bail will endanger the lives of the witnesses and the court has the duty and responsibility to ensure their safety.
“Moreover, he said, the court should take into consideration the prevalence of this offence as South Africa has a notably high rate of femicide cases. Furthermore, the state submitted that the court must ensure that such murderers are not granted bail,” she said.
During bail judgement, magistrate Mlombo said he believes that the state has a strong case against the accused and that his minor daughter being affected by his incarceration isn’t exceptional. He added that the fact that the accused handed himself over to the police isn’t exceptional either rather it was the right thing to do.
“The court found that there is a likelihood that the accused will evade trial because if he is found guilty the prescribed minimum sentence of premeditated murder is life imprisonment. Furthermore, he said the accused failed to convince the court that exceptional circumstances exist which in the interest of justice warrant his release on bail.
“Therefore, bail was denied. The matter has been postponed to 18 September 2024 for further investigations,” said Mahanjana.
Two Zimbabweans were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court for corruption and contravention of Immigration Act 13 of 2002. In September 2023, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested Bongikosi Moyo (40) for allegedly operating a drug laboratory in Klipgat.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Col Tinyiko Mathebula said following the arrest, the investigating officer on the matter was reportedly approached by Dalubuhle Ncube (42), who is the brother of the arrested suspect. Mathebula said Ncube offered the investigating officer a gratification in order not to oppose bail on his brother’s case.
“The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation was activated, and an undercover operation was conducted, which led to the arrest of two foreign nationals soon after paying the investigating officer R10 000. After making a series of court appearances, the accused were found guilty and sentenced.
“Ncube was sentenced to six years imprisonment for corruption, with one year suspended. He was also sentenced to two years imprisonment for contravention of Immigration Act, with one year suspended. Moyo was only sentenced to two years imprisonment for contravention of Immigration Act, with one year suspended,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West acting Hawks Head, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, welcomed the sentencing and applauded the investigating officer for maintaining integrity in the performance of her duties.
Picture: The police confiscate a motor gate battery suspected to be stolen/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
Two suspects aged 35 and 36 were arrested with suspected stolen goods on 18 July 2024. The suspects were arrested by the Upington Border Police during a crime combating operation.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said during routine patrols, the police allegedly came across the suspects in possession of a motor gate battery and a roll of electric fence to the value of R1100.
“The duo could not provide any proof of ownership nor details of the origin of the items. The suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods. They are expected to appear in court soon.
“While the police continued with their duties, they conducted a search at a premises, during which they discovered R200 fake notes believed to be in the process of printing counterfeit currency,” said Masegela.
She said there were no suspects linked to the incident and an inquiry has been registered for further investigation.
Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said he is saddened by the death of a learner as a result of an alleged recklessness of a scholar transport bus driver. It is alleged that learners at Motsaalore Secondary School in Khunotswane village, near Mahikeng, were leaving for home as usual in the afternoon on Wednesday, 17 July 2024 and boarded their scholar transport bus.
It is reported that a short distance from the school, a learner began to jump from a bus while in motion as the driver allegedly was driving recklessly and lost control of the bus. According to school management who briefed the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng on the morning of Thursday, 18 July 2024, when he visited the school, the driver was allegedly not sober and returned to the school yard after children had all jumped off the bus.
“The learners who reside about 13km from the school completed their journey on foot. On arrival at the school, the driver seemed not to be aware of the incident that took place.
“We were only made aware by some enraged community members, who came running after the bus and told us of the unfortunate incident. However, the driver who appeared delirious at that time, denied the incident and claimed he had ensured the bus doors were closed,” said a teacher.
The ambulance was called and it was then that one of the three learners who had jumped off the bus was found to have passed on. Two other learners were transferred to the nearest hospital.
Meanwhile, Morweng expressed shock and sadness for the young life lost. He said an investigation will be conducted and necessary action as per the service level agreement would be taken against the contracted operator.
“One lost life of a child is a loss to the society and sends deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the school. This is a very sad and heart-breaking situation. I must say that I’m very disappointed with this kind of behaviour, where a person old enough to discern wrong from right ends up being the one who puts the lives of learners at risk.
“We are trying by all means at the department to ensure that our service providers must provide safe and reliable transport to our learners, but unfortunately these are some of the incidents we have to deal with. We are however working on a permanent solution to ensure this doesn’t recur,” he said.
The driver was immediately arrested and will appear in court on Friday. The scholar transport bus ferries learners from Matlhase village to Motsaalore Secondary school in Khunotswane village.
Picture: Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) will have a special council meeting at Depot Hall in Taung on 19 July 2024. The municipal council that will be convened at 11am, is expected to discuss the investigation on mayoral car accident.
This comes after the embattled municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe crashed a R700 000 BMW X3 belonging to the municipality a few weeks ago. It is alleged that Gaoraelwe was accosted by unknown assailants who shot at him.
This resulted in him losing control of the vehicle and crashing the gate. However, there are allegations making rounds that Gaoraelwe had a car accident during the day and later on staged the shooting as a cover-up.
In a letter, the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai said: “Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 29 (1) of the local government municipal structure act No 117 of 1998, that a special council meeting of Greater Taung Local Municipality will be held on Friday at Depot Hall.”
Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) said it will table a motion of no confidence against the beleaguered Gaoraelwe. F4SD councillor at the municipality, Mika Moeti, who is also the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance said, Gaoraelwe must pack his bags and go because he is not fit for the position.
Moeti said, if the ANC wants renewal and vibrant change at the municipality, it must recall Gaoraelwe.
“Gaoraelwe does not have the best interests of the community at heart. He continues to destroy the assets of the municipality and this hampers service delivery. As the municipality, we are committed to positive change and to making a difference in the lives of our residents in all our communities.
“However, we are sickened by the actions of Gaoraelwe. Remember, this is not for the first time he crashed the official municipal vehicle. This really shows that he does not respect the institution, the voters and himself,” he said.
Moeti further said he saw Gaoraelwe on Saturday night allegedly drunk and he was not surprised when he received a report that he crashed the municipal vehicle on Sunday. He added that the municipality never had the mayor who damaged its assets before.
“We had mayors such as Nicholas Khonkhobe, Boitumelo Mahlangu, Kaone Lobelo, including Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane and they have never put the municipality in disrepute like this,” said Moeti.
Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said the municipality has allocated security guards for Gaoraelwe.
“These are not appointments, but provision of security for the mayor. This is part of our responsibility as the municipality. So, we have allocated two security guards at night and one during the day. This should go on until there is no need/perceived threat.
“There is no additional cost as these have been drawn from the quota of security guards we already have as part of our contract with Diphetogo Security Services. Gaoraelwe is on leave until 5 July 24. So, Itumeleng Maribe has been appointed as acting mayor,” he said.
Oliphant said the municipality is aware of the allegations that Gaoraelwe has staged the shooting, but the official information they received was that he collided with the gate as he was trying to evade people, who were chasing him. He said it is their understanding that the case has been reported to the police and the municipality is not able to pronounce itself on the issue at this stage.
The Guardian 