Monthly Archives: July 2024

20 suspects arrested for illegal mining during Operation Vala Umgodi 

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Picture: Some of equipment seized by the police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The fight against the eradication of illegal mining compels the police through Operation Vala Umgodi to utilise all measures to fight the scourge. This comes after the multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team arrested 20 suspects during the weekly operations that commenced on 13 July 2024.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police in the Frances Baard District, while patrolling the Conville and the Greenpoint mining dumps, arrested six persons for illicit mining and contravention of the Immigration Act. He said the police also traced and arrested one wanted suspect for house-breaking and theft.

“In Bontakoe Informal Settlement, Twee Pad and Koiingnas mining areas in the Namakwa District, the police executed cordon and search operations and detained 13 persons for illicit mining and contravention of the Immigration Act.

“The team confiscated numerous mining implements, including a vehicle utilised in the commission of crime. The suspects were detained in order to be processed and verified by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services officials before being formally charged and presented to court for deportation,” said Sam.

He further said the police are pleading with the public to respect and conform to the prevailing mining laws and regulations, as it is illegal to be in possession of any unprocessed precious mineral, including diamond bearing gravel without the required statutory authorization. 

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Schools containing asbestos in North West pose health risks   

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Picture: one if the schools containing asbestos/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Some of the parents urge the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, to address asbestos challenges in various schools across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. They alleged that most of the school buildings are made up of asbestos and that pose health risks to learners and teachers at large. 

School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson at Vaaloewer Combined School in Bloemhof, Johannes Joseph said their school building contains asbestos and they have requested the department to address that matter, but their plea fell in deaf ears. 

“We urge the department to ensure that buildings that contain asbestos are demolished. This exposes hundreds pupils and teachers to serious health risks. If these asbestos structures become dilapidated, fibres are released into the air and if inhaled, they can cause deadly respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma,” he said.

Another parent said they experienced the same challenges at Charon Primary School in Schweizer Reneke. 

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they are in a process of replacing school buildings with asbestos across the province with appropriate building materials. 

“I must indicate that during my last financial year speech, I was very clear in terms of getting rid of the asbestos in schools. Those schools have been identified and we have received a report on a monthly basis. 

“We have taken this particular project to IDP for implementation on behalf of us. We have received a positive report and remember, there are processes that we should go through before we can determine whether the school materials are made of asbestos or not,” she said. 

Motsumi further said she can confirm that the results are out and there are those affected schools that have been identified. She added that as a department, they have taken upon themselves because the health and safety of the learners is their priority. 

“We have provided affected schools with mobile classrooms in the meantime, while we make means that we renovate those affected schools. Some of those schools will be demolished and then the department will ensure that it uses the right materials for their own health. 

“So, there is progress registered and during my budget speech, we will capitalise on that. We will also give feedback to our communities and explain how far we are in terms of all schools that have been identified,” said Motsumi. 

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Enhanced research collaboration on agenda at NWU-NRF meeting 

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Picture: Prof Bismark Tyobeka with Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the NRF/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The principal and vice-chancellor of the North West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, welcomed a delegation from the National Research Fund (NRF), led by the Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, during a meeting held on Monday. 

The aim of the meeting was to foster collaboration, share strategic insights, and to explore opportunities for joint initiatives between the NRF and the NWU. Among the attendees at the meeting were Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, who took the lead in directing the proceedings.

The engagement concluded with a visit – led by Mphahlele – to the NWU’s research facilities at the faculties of Engineering, Health Sciences and Natural and Agricultural Sciences. He unpacked the recently launched institutional strategy of the NWU for 2024, which focuses on key priorities such as impact, growth, partnerships and internationalisation. 

Speaking on the research and innovation landscape of the university, Mphahlele said the demand for competent researchers is rising.

“The university hopes to strike a balance between quality and quantity by generating postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows who will compete both nationally and internationally. 

“The way you train your students determines who will be the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to provide the best training possible for NWU researchers,” he said.

In advancing the global ranking of the university, Mphahlele urged that the quality of the publications that are published with international collaborators must improve. Furthermore, he said the parties’ joint interest of strategic collaboration is to advance the performance of science systems, even beyond the NWU. 

He added that throughout the meeting, the focus remained on building a collaborative relationship to support increased research outputs and the generation of knowledge at the NWU and in the country.

Tyobeka said: “I want to thank you for this opportunity. As the NWU, we hope to have this engagement on an annual basis as it is beneficial to come back and reflect on how discussions of this nature have improved our research and innovation. 

“The information presented by the NRF will aid the NWU in its future strategies.”

Meanwhile, Nelwamondo also expressed his gratitude for the meeting and said the NRF will actively identify areas where it can support the university. 

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Two suspects nabbed with drugs worth R50 000 separately

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Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated by the police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE 

A man (35) was arrested for being in possession of Crystal Meth (Tik) with an estimated street value of R15 000 in Wilger Street in Prieska on Tuesday. The suspect was arrested by the crime prevention unit at around 9pm. 

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the Prieska Crime Prevention unit will continue to clamp down on drug trafficking in their station area. 

“In a separate accident, the members of the same unit searched an alleged drug house in Mclean Street, Prieska and found Crystal Meth hidden inside the fridge with an estimated street value of R34 000. They subsequently arrested a man (25),” he said.

“Both suspects are expected to appear in the Prieska Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of illegal possession of drugs,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape police encourage the community to participate in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” QR online survey and assist the police in improving their service to the public. 

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Former acting Municipal Manager found guilty of theft 

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By BAKANG MOKOTO 

Former acting Municipal Manager of Karoo Hoogland Municipality, Louis Northnagel (62) was found guilty of contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). This comes after Northnagel paid himself a performance bonus, while at the municipality, without the necessary approvals. 

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant ColTebogo Thebe said the Kimberley Commercial Crimes Court found Northnagel guilty of theft and contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act.

“Arina Botha (52), the wife of the deceased Chief Financial Officer (CFO), was found guilty for money laundering. The CFO was charged alongside Northnagel, but passed on during the trial.

“The deputy CFO, Jacobus Van Schalkwyk (62), was found not guilty on all charges against him. The matter is postponed to 1 October 2024, for sentencing proceedings,” he said.

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SAFA maps way forward for South African football 

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The South African Football Association (SAFA) Technical Committee met at SAFA House in Nasrec, in the south of Johannesburg on Wednesday and a wide range of topics were under discussion.

SAFA Technical Committee Chairman Jack Maluleka said the meeting was very successful and some important decisions were taken in the best interests of South African football.   

Maluleka said there were several issues under discussion, and among others, they took the decision to appoint a manager for the SAFA Technical Centre, that is for the boys’ academy.

“We have made our recommendation because the person is from the interviews. The name will be brought before the NEC for endorsement. We also felt that Simphiwe Dludlu must be given the position of manager at the High Performance Centre (HPC) in Tshwane. 

“We have to report back because we did not have an under-23 head coach before, so we have to report back to the NEC for this endorsement as well,” he said.

Maluleka further said as far as the academies are concerned, they received the data of all the academies in South Africa. He added that they have to categorize them because some of them call themselves academies, but they do not meet the requirements. 

“So, the technical committee will task certain individuals in the provinces to go and visit those academies that are on our data so that we can regulate them correctly and categorize them.

“The other thing is the support that we should give coaching education. We are aware that the LFAs and the regions are also training coaches. We need to empower that department because this was part of Vision 2022, and we should train a lot of coaches based on the reforms of coaches on the benches of the various categories,” said Maluleka.

He said they need to open up the space to ensure no province must lack the coaches that have qualified based on the reforms. Maluleka said these are some of the things that they think they have achieved, and the last one should be the preparation for the junior national teams, specifically the under-20s.

Meanwhile, the Bafana Bafana assistant coach, Helman Mkhalele also submitted his technical report following the participation of the South African team men’s side that played in the COSAFA Cup in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape recently. Mkhalele said the main objective of participating in the regional event was to develop a larger pool of players and further SAFA’s long-term vision. 

“I am proud of my players and I have already communicated my findings at the tournament to head coach Hugo Broos,” he said.

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A father and his two sons sentenced to life imprisonment for murder

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A father and his two sons were handed life sentences by the Kimberley Regional Court for murder. Given De Koker (60), and his two sons, Neillon De Kocker (30) and Clyde De Koker (24), were arrested for killing Teboho Madiehe (36). 

 The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said on 1 December 2019, the two brothers were walking home from a local night club and on their way, they were accosted by a group of men, who robbed them of their cell phones and shoes.

 “They then reported the incident to their father. The trio decided to search for the robbers. They came across the deceased, who they pointed out to be one of the alleged robbers. 

“They started assaulting him physically until he was unconscious and left him in the street without recovering any of the items they said to have been robbed of. The incident was reported to the police and the trio was arrested later on the same day and charged for murder,” she said.

Pilane said Detective Sergeant Modise Clive Moshotloa, was tasked with investigating the case, and through his diligence in investigating the matter, the three accused were convicted and sentenced.

She said the SAPS Management in the Northern Cape applauded the dedication of Moshotlhoa and warned the community to refrain from taking law into their own hands.

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A man sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for murder 

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A man (30) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Carnarvon Regional Court for murder. This comes after Francios Elrico Williams stabbed Jean Pierre Jood (26) in the chest at a tavern in Vosburg on 15 July 2023.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said Jood was certified dead by Emergency Medical Services (EMR). 

“The SAPS Management in Pixley Ka Seme District applauded Detective Warrant Officer Marthinus De Koning for the thorough investigative work that led to the conviction and sentencing,” he said. 

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Manthe arson case postponed!

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Picture: The seven accused persons who are accused of murder/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

Arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung, has been postponed until Thursday. This comes after two accused, Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang and Mothusi Motimeng, took the stand today. 

Other two accused, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane and Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane, are expected to take the stand tomorrow. 

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. This came after 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.

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Company Directors and former Rustenburg Local Municipality employees arrested for fraud

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Picture: The accused persons in a fraud case/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The company Directors and former Rustenburg Local Municipality employees, Mpho Alistair Lesolle (41), Johannes Botes Rossouw (58), Piter Retief Von Willigh (58), Ntlhayakgosi Michael Mokgwamme (66) and Merika Johannes Madungandaba (66), briefly appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2024, facing charges of fraud.

Rossouw, von Willigh, and Madungandaba, are Directors of Malesela T&D Pty (Ltd), a company that allegedly had a contract with the Rustenburg Local Municipality in 2013 to install a switchgear for the Ikemeleng Bulk Infrastructure. Lesolle and Mokgwamme are former employees of the municipality and were reportedly charged with the responsibility of overseeing the project and ensuring that the switchgear is delivered.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the reports indicated that, in September 2013, the municipality paid Malesela’s company over R2 million to install a switchgear as per the contract arrangement. Mathebula said investigation revealed that the company did not render any service.

“Following an investigation, the accused were served with summons between June and July 2024, to appear in court. All five accused made a brief appearance in court and were released on warning. Their matter was postponed to 21 August 2024,” he said.

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