Picture: The bakkie allegedly used by suspects to commit crime/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (29) was arrested for business robbery and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. It is alleged that two men robbed a tuck-shop in Lotlhakane village, near Mahikeng on Tuesday around 4pm.
The North West police spokesperson in Ngaka Modiri Molema cluster, Sergeant Sipho Taliwe said the police were dispatched to the crime scene and along the way, they spotted a vehicle matching the exact given description – a white Bakkie with a canopy.
“A chase ensued after the driver of the bakkie refused to stop. The police continued to exert pressure on the suspects until the driver hit a tree. This brought a vehicle to a grinding stop.
“Two suspects allegedly got out of the vehicle and ran in different directions. They were both chased and one was arrested. Upon search, the suspect was found to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm (1.9mm Glock) with 10 live rounds,” he said.
Taliwe further said the suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He added that another suspect is still at large and the investigation continues.
“The suspect will appear before court once processed within 48 hours. The firearm will be taken in for ballistic tests to determine if it is not linked to any other crimes,” said Taliwe.
Picture: Television presenter and rapper, Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye/Google
By BAKANG MOKOTO
In a shocking move, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn all charges against television presenter and rapper, Molemo Katlego Maarohanye, who is affectionately known as Jub Jub. This comes after TV personality and businesswoman Amanda du Pont accused her ex-boyfriend, Maarohanye of having previously admitted to raping her.
The NPA regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane said this decision follows careful consideration of the police case docket, the prosecutor’s report and recommendations, coupled with information that was made available to the NPA through representations submitted by the defence to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“The office of the DPP concluded that there are no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. As a result, the sensible thing to do was to withdraw the charges of rape, attempted murder and assault against Maarohanye. The charges emanated from a complainant and Maarohanye’s ex-girlfriend, who laid a rape charge in February 2022 against him, alleging that the offences occurred between 2006 and 2009.
“After speaking out on social media, three other women came forward with similar allegations. Subsequently, a warrant of arrest was issued and Maarohanye handed himself to the authorities and appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, where he was released on a R10 000 bail,” she said.
Mjonondwane further said the NPA views all allegations of sexual violence in serious light and does not hesitate to adopt an aggressive stance towards them, but only where there is relevant and admissible evidence that can sustain the charges. She added that, unfortunately in this case, upon further assessment of available evidence, there were no prospects of a successful prosecution hence the withdrawal of charges.
Picture: The beleaguered Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe
By OBAKENG MAJE
Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) said it will table a motion of no confidence against the beleaguered mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe. This comes after Gaoraelwe, who is now on sick leave, crashed a R700 000 BMW X3 belonging to the municipality on Sunday.
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.
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.
Picture: The Director of Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North West University (NWU), Prof Elmarie Slabbert
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The Director of Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North West University (NWU), Prof Elmarie Slabbert calls on Minister of Tourism, Patricia De Lille to advocate strategies that will make travel more affordable for South Africans facing increased living costs. Slabbert said security measures need to be enhanced by increasing visible policing and security personnel at key tourist spots.
She further said tax incentives for businesses that invest in tourism infrastructure and services should also be introduced, especially in underdeveloped regions. Slabbert added that De Lille has retained her portfolio as Minister of Tourism in the new Government of National Unity (GNU) and the decision has been met with praise from the acclaimed research unit.
“The tourism sector should be both happy and relieved that Minister De Lille will continue in her position. The minister is action-driven and highly values the opinions of both the private and public sectors, thereby creating a conducive environment for cooperation.
“However, considering the political and economic challenges facing South Africa, the team at TREES compiled a “wish list” of how they propose De Lille should leverage the country’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and unique attractions to address critical issues that will help ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in the tourism sector,” she said.
Slabbert said these recommendations are not the responsibility of the Department of Tourism alone, but require cooperation with other government entities. She said security measures must be enhanced by increasing visible policing and security personnel at key tourist hot spots. She said TREES also emphasised the need to continue implementing comprehensive safety protocols to reassure both domestic and international tourists.
“With regard to emergency services, there is a need to improve the availability and responsiveness of emergency services in tourist areas, including those of medical facilities and emergency hotlines. The airport is the first encounter with the country for international visitors, emphasising the importance of service delivery.
“It is important to increase the number of direct flights to South Africa on a continuous basis. Long queues at passport control and baggage that cannot be booked through to the next destination do not contribute to the image of a welcoming destination. Biometric passports, automated systems and e-gates will reduce waiting times, making travel more convenient and secure,” said Slabbert.
She said visa application processes should be simplified to attract a broader range of tourists, including digital nomads. Slabbert said specialised visa categories should also be developed for digital nomads, allowing them to stay and work in South Africa for extended periods, and incentives such as co-working spaces and connectivity hubs can be offered.
Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi along with management during meeting in Rustenburg/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
In an effort to boost matriculation results, North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi will meet with the principals of all underperforming schools in the province. Motsumi has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for schools performing below a 70% average this academic year.
“The primary objective of this meeting is to address the challenges faced by schools that had a pass rate of less than 70% in the 2023 academic year. I will engage with school principals and the senior management team of the department to discuss and resolve any concerns.
“We call on all educational stakeholders to uphold the top three visions set for the previous matric performance. I courteously implore all of our educational stakeholders to join forces with the department to achieve our goal of being among the top three,” she said.
Motsumi further said the province has 74 schools that underperformed in the 2023 academic year. She added that the meeting will be held at Mahikeng,Seasons Conference Centre in Mahikeng at 9am.
The ANC in North West said it will crack the whip on councillors who have been incompetent and use their positions for self-aggrandisement. This comes after the ruling party completed an intense process of assessing the performance of its councillors in all 22 municipalities.
ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said in 2021, they took a resolution to assess all councillors in all municipalities and remove those who underperform. Maruping said the party views the sphere of local government as crucial when it comes to service delivery.
“You will remember that in 2021, we launched what we called a Local Government Barometer. Now, the Local Government Barometer is an assessment instrument, where we measure functionality of municipalities’ troikas and performance of councillors.
“This is a mid-term assessment, where the ANC is contacting all municipalities to assess their performance. So, where there is a need for interventions and let’s say a certain councillor or mayor must be removed, that is exactly what is going to happen. However, that decision will be informed by the assessment report that is going to be tabled,” he said.
Maruping further said they have already completed the assessment report and they are going to use it as a yardstick for deciding on the eligibility of councillors to continue representing the party. He added that they will table the report during the ANC Provincial Executive Committee meeting, where the report will have recommendations.
A man (41) who burned the North West University (NWU) student to death was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Johannesburg. On 27 May 2023, Tinyiko Baloyi kidnapped Karabo Maluleke (21) from the NWU (Potchefstroom campus) after suspecting that she was in another relationship.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane said Baloyi held her captive for three days at a guesthouse in Roodepoort, during which time her family and friends tried to contact her. Mjonondwane said when Maluleke was unreachable, they reported her missing.
“Ultimately, on 30 May 2023, Baloyi drove Maluleke to an open field in Doornkop, where he tied both her hands and feet, poured her with petrol and dosed her to death. Her charred body was discovered five days later in the field. Warrant Officer Rabed Zwana, traced the accused’s movements, discovering he had rented a car to fetch Maluleke from Potchefstroom to the guesthouse.
“After killing her, Baloyi returned the vehicle to the rental company. In his attempt to skip town, he exchanged his phone for money at a taxi rank before fleeing to his home in Giyani, where he was eventually apprehended. Baloyi pleaded guilty and testified in mitigation of sentence, citing that he cooperated with the law,” she said.
Mjonondwane further said Baloyi also said that he contributed to Maluleke’s well-being, including tuition fee payments and the provision of a laptop. She added that Baloyi offered an apology to the family.
Khensane Maluleke, the mother of the deceased, made an impact statement and described the harrowing circumstances surrounding her daughter’s brutal murder. She testified that the tragic loss had a profound impact on their entire family. She also said that she eagerly anticipated her daughter’s academic success, which would transform their family’s circumstances and improve their lives.
The state advocate Leswikane Mashabela stated that the accused’s heinous crimes warranted the severest sentence, as he had kidnapped and held her captive for three days, only to brutalise and murder her ultimately.
Mjonondwane said the NPA will continue to prosecute Gender-Based Violence (GBH) cases with vigour as the safety and well-being of the communities remain paramount. She said Baloyi was also sentenced to an extra 10-year imprisonment.
Picture: Netball players during tournament/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The 4th edition of the Telkom Netball Championship has come to a close, leaving behind a trail of excitement, teamwork and sportsmanship. The five-day event which started on Monday, saw 88 teams of U17/18/19 from across the country battle for the top spot.
The tournament also saw the emergence of new talent, with several players catching the eye of selectors and coaches. The U17 national team of 12 players was chosen from a pool of talented athletes, who participated in the tournament.
The South African team played against Namibia U18 on Friday morning and performed exceptionally, defeating the neighbouring country’s junior side 46-25. This victory demonstrates the school’s outstanding player development efforts, as these athletes had never played together.
Kudos to the national team coaches, Talja Venter and Yolande Stone, for their invaluable contribution, as a result, they also earned their first national team caps.
The SA Schools Netball President, Di Wooley after the International match between SA and Namibia said: “Our focus is on nurturing talent in Africa before going International, making this event a stepping stone for future competitions.”
The grand final match between Tshwane A and Cape Wineland, a repeat of last year’s final, was a nail-biting encounter, with Tshwane emerging victorious. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the teams displayed exceptional skill and grit.
Tshwane was strong in the tournament recording wins in all their game played under the guidance of Amanda Mynhardt. The tournament saw the emergence of new talent, with several players catching the eye of selectors and coaches.
Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane said: “We are thrilled with the success of this tournament, the level of competition, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm shown by all teams has been outstanding. We are proud to have provided a platform for these talented players to showcase their skills.”
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has entered into memorandums of understanding (MoU) with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Anti-Corruption Coalition (ACC), the Transparency, Integrity, and Accountability Programme (TIP) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to join forces in preventing corruption through data analytics.
The signing of the MoUs was attended by the Head of the SIU, Advocate Andy Mothibi, Valieta Barnard from the National Treasury, Valeska Onken from the GIZ and Dr Wendy Orr from GIBS, along with members of their respective teams, who will be involved in the work stemming from the MoUs. Speaking during the signing ceremony held at SIU offices in Meyerspark, Head of SIU, Advocate Andy Mothibi highlighted that this is the first collaboration of its kind in the space of digital and AI-based anti-corruption interventions in South Africa.
“Through these partnerships, the SIU will embark on statistical research efforts, proactive strengths and risk exposures, sector-based data analysis, awareness and advisory initiatives, capacity building, and integrating data analytics and predictive analysis into the institutions’ risk management systems.
“The SIU aims to take a leading role in South Africa to prevent and combat maladministration, fraud, and corruption by focusing on societal values and systems that make it difficult to engage in acts of impropriety,” he said.
Mothibi further said to achieve this, the SIU must direct strategic decision-making processes and drive prevention activities through data analysis. He added that this will provide the SIU with a competitive market advantage and long-term sustainability.
“An important enabler for leveraging the power of data analytics to prevent and combat corruption is obtaining meaningful access to as many data sources as possible. These MoUs are also part of the SIU’s implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, in particular, the whole-of-society approach, which is an integrated approach to the fight against corruption and calls on all sectors to participate in the fight against corruption and encourages collaboration between government, the private sector and civil society as one of the fundamentals of the strategy.
“Through these collaboration agreements, the SIU seeks to ensure that its anti-corruption tools are advanced and enable the SIU to move towards the prevention of corruption. The SIU plans to publish sector data intelligence and use a prevention, advisory, and awareness capacity to advise stakeholders on systemic measures to proactively identify and prevent maladministration, fraud, and corruption,” said Mothibi.
The president of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa said they have made good on their promise to the South African people to work together as political parties for the good of the country. Ramaphosa said the aim is to deliver a government that will be united in action and purpose.
He further said this provides a firm basis for greater stability, coherence and a focus on implementation. Ramaphosa added that even in some of the world’s most established democracies, the formation of multi-party governments is often protracted and fraught with challenges.
“That we have reached this pivotal point just over four weeks since the election results were announced is a credit to our constitutional order. It is also testament to the authentic, collaborative spirit that has underpinned the negotiations over the past few weeks.
“This is the first time in South Africa’s history that such a broad range of parties, from across the political spectrum, will constitute a government. In mandating us to form a government that serves all, the South African people have a rightful expectation that the seventh administration begins its work as soon as possible,” he said.
Ramaphosa said South Africans appreciate that a Government of National Unity (GNU) is the best way to take the country forward. He said as political leaders, they must prove themselves worthy of the trust the citizens have placed in this government.
“The partnership between the GNU parties is guided by a Statement of Intent, which outlines fundamental principles and a minimum programme of priorities. All the parties have made a commitment to respect the constitution and to promote accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.
“The incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality. It will continue the economic reforms that are underway in key industries like electricity, telecommunication, water and transport,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the new administration will build on the progress that has already been made in the drive for greater investment in infrastructure and an improved environment for business. Guided by the Statement of Intent, Ramaphosa said the GNU will safeguard the rights of workers and ensure there is adequate social protection for the poor and vulnerable.
“The government will invest in South Africa’s people through quality education and health care. It will work to build state capacity, address crime and corruption and strengthen social cohesion. The administration will pursue a foreign policy based on human rights, solidarity and peace.
“While the ministers and deputy ministers who make up the National Executive come from different parties, they will be expected to serve the people as a whole. They will be expected to implement a shared mandate and a common programme of action,” he said.
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