Monthly Archives: August 2024

ANC in North West cleanse itself as it removes eight ‘incompetent’ councillors from their positions

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Picture: Some of ANC Provincial Executive Committee members during media conference in Rustenburg

By OBAKENG MAJE

Even though ANC in the North West insists that it does not have a leadership crisis, it has requested over seven councillors to resign from their positions in various municipalities across the province.

According to the ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi, this was done after their Local Government Assessment Report that was conducted in 2022. Maloyi said they have met with all councillors in Rio Hotel Casino and Convention Resort in Klerksdorp, to present to them, a Local Government Barometer document, which seeks to monitor performance of municipalities and individual councillors.

“We wish to put this on record because there were some people who wanted to accuse the leadership of the ANC of targeting certain individuals in municipalities. This mid-term assessment of municipalities and councillors, is part of our program of action, which was adopted long ago.

“At the helm of our intention is to stabilise our councils and enable them to deliver basic services to our people. The issue of non-performance cannot be tolerated ever again in the ANC,” he said.

Maloyi further said the ANC visited all 22 municipalities in the province during the assessment, accompanied by the Regional Executive Committees (RECs). He added that the assessment focused on a number of issues.

“Amongst others was the functionality of the ANC caucuses, putting the people first, delivering basic services, good governance, building capable government, and local economic development. The assessment also focused on performance of our councillors, particularly the Troika (Mayors, Speakers and Whips).

“Inclusive of other key performance indicators, which are contained in the ANC Local Government Barometer document. Emanating from the thorough assessment, amongst other decisions, the ANC has taken a decision to re-deploy the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality, mayor, Tshireletso Marabutse and the executive mayor of the City of Matlosana, James Ntsolela, who has already been replaced by Fikile Mahlophe,” said Maloyi.

He said this includes the removal of Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe and Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Cliffton Groep. Maloyi said this decision was taken in a spirit of strengthening and adding capacity in various municipalities, but also redeploying some to areas where their skills and expertise are needed most.

“The assessment was also concerned about the functionality of our political caucuses in municipalities. On that score, the ANC resolved to re-deploy the Chief Whip of the City of Matlosana, Khaya Ndincede, the Chief Whip of Naledi Local Municipality, Letshwene Ramothibedi, the Chief Whip of Kgetleng Local Municipality, Amogelang Selaledi and the replacement of the Chief Whip of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Loiusa Mabe.

“The ANC reiterates its commitment to make sure that North West municipalities provide services to our people without fail. The leadership of the ANC will continue to supervise these municipalities,” he said.

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Portfolio Committee defers Children’s Amendment Bill to Dept of Social Development

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 August 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has resolved to defer the Children’s Amendment Bill to the Department of Social Department to allow it to redraft the 126 clauses the previous committee did not process. This comes after the previous committee passed only 12 foster care-related clauses so that Parliament and the department could meet a North Gauteng High Court deadline.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Bridget Masango said the department will redraft these clauses, taking into consideration the substantive submissions and proposals made by stakeholders and the public during the committee’s public participation process on the bill.

Masango further said the previous committee had resolved that the bill be introduced as a committee bill by the 7th Parliament committee. She added that, however, after receiving legal advice from the Constitutional and Legal Services Office on the development, drafting and legislative processes of committee bills, as well as the implications of the Constitutional Court’s judgement on Section 40 of the Children’s Act, the committee resolved that the department is best placed to redraft the bill due to Parliament’s capacity constraints to develop policies that will substantiate the bill.

“The submissions received contained new proposals that require extensive policy development on issues that include the safe abandonment of children (baby savers), corporal punishment, new proposals in relation to the rights of unmarried fathers (a traditional perspective) and children’s right to privacy on digital platforms.

“The department’s legal advisor informed the committee that since the time the previous committee took a decision not to process the bill, many new issues have emerged in the space of intercountry adoptions, baby savers and the rights and responsibilities of unmarried fathers, which require the department to rethink its position on provisions it made previously on the bill,” said Masango.

She said even if Parliament had passed the Bill, the department would have to amend it again. Masango said the committee agreed that the timeline of the processing of this Bill would receive priority oversight.

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A pangolin worth R250 000 seized by police

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Picture: A Pangolin seized by the police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

30 August 2024- Three suspects aged 33, 36 and 45, were arrested for allegedly being in possession of a Pangolin valued at approximately R250 000. The suspects were arrested by a team consisting of John Taolo Gaetsewe Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime, the Upington Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and Kuruman Public Order Police during an intelligence-driven operation in Kuruman.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the Volkswagen Polo believed to be used in the commission of the crime, was also seized. Ehlers said the investigation continues and the suspects will appear in court soon.

“The police in the Northern Cape are relentless in their efforts to protect endangered species and will ensure that perpetrators feel the full wrath of the law,” she said.

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Scrutinise vice-chancellors before appointing them

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

30 August 2024- The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has called upon universities to apply greater scrutiny when appointing vice chancellors and council members. The committee said they should also ensure that the appointees have a high regard for ethics.

The chairperson of committee, Tebogo Letsie said they were briefed on progress made by the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), in dealing with various administrative challenges. Letsie said the briefing concerning the state of affairs at Vaal University of Technology now that it is no longer under administration, while the Mangosuthu University of Technology is still under administration.

“We welcome the progress made by VUT in appointing a vice chancellor and chancellor. However, it remains concerned about the continued high number of vacant positions at senior management level, especially the post of registrar.

“The committee expressed concerns about the state of affairs in student residences, which has forced many students to opt for private accommodation. This is causing the university to lose out on much-needed revenue,” he said.

According to Letsie, the committee further called upon VUT to report contractors, who do not finish infrastructure development projects to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), so that these contractors are blacklisted from any further involvement in projects in the post-school education sector. He added that the committee further resolved that the university should consider using the services of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for their Student Representative Council elections and that these elections should be held manually.

“Meanwhile at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, we welcome the appointment of Professor Nokuthula Sibiya as the first female vice chancellor in the university’s 45-year history.

“The committee further welcomed assurances that the remaining senior posts at MUT will be filled by the end of September. The DHET told the committee that recent suspensions at MUT indicate a culture of victimisation, however the administrator seems to be on course in turning the institution around,” said Letsie.

He said they need to move away from a period of independent assessors and it can’t be that predominantly black-run institutions are the ones that always fall under administration. Letsie said the committee plans to have a meeting with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), with a focus on student accommodation challenges to find solutions to improve the services offered to students.

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Zimbabwean man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 August 2024- A Zimbabwean national (34) has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court for murder. The accused, Norest Singage was also sentenced to 27 years imprisonment for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The NPA regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the court ordered that these sentences run concurrently. Mahanjana said Singage’s accomplice, fellow Zimbabwean national, Rodwin Maphinde (34), was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

“Additionally, both offenders have been declared unfit to possess firearms. The court heard that on 26 August 2020, the first victim was accosted by a group of men, while praying on the R80 Mabopane highway.

“He was robbed of his cellphone and bank cards. Subsequently, on 12 September 2020, the second victim, along with his wife and children, stopped at the same highway and was approached by the same group. They were taken to a nearby mountain, where tragedy struck,” she said.

Mahanjana further said Singage, while forcefully taking the wife deeper into the mountain, shot and killed her. She added that miraculously, the husband managed to escape and promptly reported the incident to the police.

“Following a thorough investigation, the two suspects were apprehended on 24 October 2020 in Marabastad, where Singage was employed as a vendor. Throughout the trial, Singage and Maphinde pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them, denying all involvement. The NPA welcomes the sentencing.

“We reiterate our commitment to holding offenders accountable and enhancing public safety in South African communities. This case serves as a reminder that the NPA will continue to vigorously prosecute violent crimes and advocate for justice for victims and their families,” said Mahanjana.

However, the state prosecutor, Lebogang Mokome, successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. During the sentencing proceedings, the accused, through their legal representative, sought leniency, citing their responsibilities to their minor children and requesting consideration of the time they had spent in custody since their arrest.

In response, Mokome argued against leniency, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crimes, as the accused had deliberately targeted unsuspecting victims.

“The deceased brutally lost her life, and the husband lost his wife while the children lost their mother. The violent crime in this country is prevalent, so urge the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentences without deviation,” she said.

When handing down the sentence, Magistrate Thapelo Motiang noted that the two showed no remorse for their actions.

“There was no need for the deceased to lose her life as both were cooperating with the instructions they gave during the incident. We re-affirm the community’s growing frustration with violent crimes and it is up to the courts to protect the community against such offences.”

“While I see grounds to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence for the first count of robbery due to the complainant sustaining no injuries, I found no compelling circumstances to do so for the murder charge and the second count of robbery,” he said.

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NWU shines again in the top seven in rankings

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Picture: The North West University

By REGINALD KANYANE

30 August 2024- The North West University (NWU) continues to claim its niche as one of the best universities across the globe. According to the latest rankings of the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, NWU was placed among the top seven South African universities in its 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). 

ARWU lists the NWU in the 601 to 700 ranking category internationally – a considerable achievement, as only the best 1 000 out of more than 2 500 universities that are actually ranked annually are published. The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy published this ranking list on 15 August.

It is a continuation of excellence

The NWU has continued its strong showing in various rankings by different ranking agencies. The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, published on 4 June, also placed the NWU among the top seven South African universities in the Top Global Universities rankings for 2025.

The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) ranked the NWU among the top 4,2% of the world’s best universities on 13 May, and the Young University Rankings by Times Higher Education (THE) put the NWU 183rd out of 673 universities on the list of the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger.

More about the ARWU rankings

ARWU uses six objective indicators to rank world universities. These are: the number of alumni who win Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals (10%); the number of staff who win Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals (20%); the number of highly cited researchers in 21 broad subject categories (20%); the number of papers published in Nature and Science (20%); the number of papers indexed in the Science Citation Index-expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index (20%); and the per capita academic performance of an institution (10%).

To read more about this year’s ARWU rankings, visit: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2024, or for more about the NWU’s performance in the various rankings, visit: https://www.nwu.ac.za/rankings.

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A man arrested for being in possession of drugs worth R15 000

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Picture: A man arrested for being in possession of drugs/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

A man (31) was arrested for allegedly being in possession of drugs worth R15 000. This comes after the swift response by Steinkopf SAPS, ‘D’ relief.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the police were conducting patrols when they received a tip-off regarding a man traveling from Port Nolloth to Steinkopf, who was allegedly in possession of drugs.

“The man fitting the description was spotted in Uitkyk Street, Steinkopf. He was stopped and searched. The police found mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R15 000 in his possession.

“The suspect was arrested and detained for possession of drugs and will appear in court soon. The police remain committed in eradicating and removing drugs from our streets,” he said.

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Two men nabbed for ‘stealing’ 17 Bonsmara cattle

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Picture: A truck transporting 17 Bonsmara cattle seized by police/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

29 August 2014- Two men were arrested being in possession of suspected stolen 17 Bonsmara cattle. The accused, Francio Nel (44) and Steven Mothas Baduds (34), were arrested during Operation Basadi conducted in Madikwe on 27 August 2024.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the police also confiscated an Isuzu Truck that was allegedly used to transport the cattle.

“This success came after a tip-off that a truck loaded with stolen cattle is driving in the Lindleyspoort area. The women in blue, supported by Madikwe Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit and Traffic Officers, conducted a roadblock and patrols in the area, near Swartruggens.

“The police spotted and stopped the truck. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the cattle valued at R320 000, were reported stolen in Lomanyaneng village, near Mahikeng,” she said.

Myburgh further said Nel and Baduds briefly appeared before the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court today and were both granted R3000 bail each. She added that their case was postponed until 25 September 2024.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the police and other role players involved in the operation for their excellent team work and said women will continue to play a huge role in policing by bringing perpetrators to book.

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A man sentenced to 38 years imprisonment for rape, kidnapping and assault

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Picture: A man arrested/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A man (49) was sentenced to 38 years imprisonment by the Kimberly Regional Court for rape, kidnapping and assault. During the early hours of 27 February 2010, a victim (13) and her friend, were on their way home in Galeshewe when they were accosted by the accused, Themba Dipheko.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said Dipheko grabbed the victim and raped her at knife-point in a toilet at a nearby house. Kock said the accused fled the scene afterwards.

“In a separate incident on 27 September 2015, the accused met his ex-girlfriend (46) in the street in Galeshewe Township, and stabbed her in the face without any provocation.

“The two cases were combined in court and Dipheko was found guilty. He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for rape, five years for kidnapping and eight years for assault GBH,” he said.

Kock further said the sentences will run concurrently and Dipheko’s name will be entered in the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, embraced the hefty prison sentence handed down to Dipheko. Ngubelanga lauded the Detective Sergeant Simphiwe Mdunge of the Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations unit for his relentless determination in securing the hefty sentence of the GBVF perpetrator during Women’s Month. “Detectives will continue to robustly and vigorously investigate all contact crimes,” he said.

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A man found guilty for possession of pangolin

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Picture: A pangolin seized by police/Generic 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

29 August 2024- A man (59) was sentenced to six imprisonment or R30 000 fine by the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court for Contravention of National Environment Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) 10 of 2004. In September 2023, the Mahikeng-Based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, received a tip-off about a suspect, who was allegedly in possession of a Pangolin at Setlagole village.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the information was operationalised and the suspect’s premises were searched. Gunya said during the search, a Pangolin was found in the boot of an old vehicle.

“The accused, Kabelo Jantjies was apprehended for illegal possession of endangered species. Following a series of court appearances, Jantjies was found guilty and sentenced to six years imprisonment or R30 000, half of which is suspended for a period of five years on condition that the accused does not commit a similar offence within the period of suspension,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the investigation and prosecution team for ensuring that the accused is brought to book.

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