Three suspects were arrested for alleged hijacking. The suspects were arrested on Sunday morning, 4 August 2024, along the N14 road near Ventersdorp.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said it is alleged that a motorist was driving along the N14 road when the driver of a silver Toyota Corolla with a blue light on the dash board attempted to stop him. Myburgh said the motorist was allegedly pointed with a firearm, but did not stop.
“Shortly after the incident, he saw traffic officers and reported the incident to them. The traffic officers stopped the Toyota Corolla and the trio was arrested and handed over to the police.
“The accused, Raymond Malefo (44), Jim Masingi (47) and Patrick Masemola (63), who are all from Mamelodi Township, near Pretoria, briefly appeared in Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court facing charges of attempted hijacking, pretending to be police officers and unlawful possession of a firearm,†she said.
Myburgh further said the accused persons case was postponed to 14 August 2024. She added that investigations into the matter are underway and the police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the suspects with similar crimes previously committed in the area.
“The fight against hijackings gained success. The accused were remanded in custody,†said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the traffic officers for their swift response that led to the arrest.
Picture: Former Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane, notes the preliminary update from the Minister of Home Affairs on the investigation into the citizenship of former Miss SA contestant, Chidimma Adetshina.
The Department of Home Affairs has alleged that there might be corruption committed by Adetshima’s mother. This comes after the archive records allegedly show that Adetshima’s mother might have stolen the identity of a local to register her daughter as a South African citizen.
Chabane raised his concerns that the update leaves more questions than it answers and urged the department to conclude its investigation. He further said this would provide clarity on the matter, which seems to involve corrupt officials selling citizenship and which impacts negatively on the authenticity of South Africa’s population register.
He added that they welcomed the department’s intention to investigate internal staff members to ensure that, in the case of any wrongdoing, prosecution and internal disciplinary processes are instituted.
“The speedy conclusion of the investigation will ensure accountability and justice. The 6thParliament Portfolio Committee had raised concerns about the alarming cases of collaboration between some officials within the department and syndicates, who fraudulently sell official documents.
“That committee had recommended the establishment of the investigating team, which resulted in the establishment of the Lubisi Commission with a report that included clear recommendations for implementation,†said Chabane.
He said the continued acts of corruption in the department demonstrate the need to put in place preventative measures and also highlight the importance of the joint work of the department’s anti-corruption branch and the Lubisi Commission.
Chabane said upon conclusion of the investigation, the Portfolio Committee will receive a detailed update on the matter, including a comprehensive report from the anti-corruption branch on investigations it is busy with.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Adetshina withdrew her participation at Miss South Africa competition amid outcry.
“I would like to start off by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of Miss South Africa journey. I’m really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown.
“Bing part of the 2024 Miss South Africa competition has been an amazing journey. However, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and I,†she said.
Adetshina said with the support of the Miss South Africa organisation, she leaves with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience. She also took the opportunity to wish her fellow finalists all of the best for the remainder of the competition.
“Whoever wears the crown, represents us all,†said Adetshina.
The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said his government has demonstrated significant improvement in the 2023/24 audit outcomes for provincial departments. Mokgosi said the provincial government is showing a marked progression from the previous year.
He further said this positive trend reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing financial management, accountability and transparency across all its departments and entities. Mokgosi added that in the latest audit cycle that ended on 31 March 2024, a total of nine out of twelve departments received unqualified audit reports, with two of them receiving clean audits.
“Only one department received a qualified audit outcome with a reduction in audit qualification paragraphs. This signifies that the government’s support efforts must be doubled to ensure that this department also receives an unqualified audit outcome.
“The current year performance reveals that the new techniques that were employed over the previous year which included working closely with Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and officials in the financial management sections are yielding desired results,†he said.
Mokgosi said in the previous year, the province managed to obtain seven unqualified audit outcomes, while five departments were qualified, prompting the provincial government to increase its support on these five departments.
He said the expansion in audit coverage bears testimony to the province’s comprehensive financial oversight and accountability.
“Part of building a capable, ethical and developmental state is to see to it that the government has sound financial management controls. We are particularly encouraged by the increase in clean audits and the overall accuracy of our financial statements.
“These improvements are aligned to our ongoing efforts to build public trust, enhance service delivery and improve the lives of the people of the North West,†said Mokgosi.
He said collaborative efforts of the Provincial Treasury (PT), Provincial Audit Committee (PAC), the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), dedicated members and Chairpersons of Portfolio Committees and other robust governance structures continue to set the province on a positive developmental trajectory.
“We made significant progress in addressing the root causes of the challenges that culminated into Section 100. These key stakeholders have been instrumental in implementing comprehensive reforms, enhancing financial management and strengthening oversight mechanisms,†he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West calls for the removal of North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng.
This comes after rape allegations levelled against Morweng’s cronies, Tebogo Metswamere and Puseletso Mosadi, who are ANCYL Deputy Convener and Coordinator in the Ngaka Modiri Molema Region respectively. It is alleged that Metswamere was also earmarked to be appointed as a Support of Staff Officer in Morweng’s Office.
Metswamere and Mosadi were allegedly arrested after they allegedly raped a woman.
According to the EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema, the alleged rape, took place at Protea Hotel in Mahikeng, in the same room Morweng was booked in by the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL).
“Mosadi is employed by Mmabana Foundation, where Morweng was the CEO, prior to being appointed as MEC. We are grimly concerned by the rise of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and patriarchal relations that have taken a different turn, which sees women being raped by the very people who are tasked with the responsibility to lead, protect and shower them with love.
“It is also alleged that the victim was faced with hurdles when she went to open a case, wherein police officers in Mmabatho Police Station were insensitive and reluctant to open a case. It is quite evident with the high levels of victims in cases of this nature that the political elites in this country enjoy impunity at the expense of the most vulnerable,†he said.
Moema further said clearly, the moral fabric that is espoused in the constitution has been trampled on by the political elites, who have turned executive offices into a predatory state and as a result, the communities are left grieving during a Women’s Month.
He added that a fish rots from the head and as such, it is unacceptable for Morweng, who is responsible for Community Safety and Transport Management portfolio, to continue to hold such a prestigious office that is at the epicentre of righteousness, protection and moral guidance.
“We call for Morweng, together with the two accused persons, to resign from public offices. We will be on the ground to monitor developments of this case closely and provide necessary support to the victims, families, friends and the grieving communities at large.
“We call upon community members to attend to the court case on 2 September 2024, and ensure that we voice out our dismay in demand of justice,†said Moema.
Morweng, who is also the ANCYL provincial chairperson said: “I relate with Metswamere as the ANCYL provincial chairperson and it is true that I had earmarked him for a position as a support staff in my Office.
“However, he has not signed a contract and therefore he is not an employee of the department. As a department, we condemn all violations of the law, especially something as abhorrent as alleged violation.â€
Morweng said they are facing many challenges of transgressions against women and as a nation, they need to collectively support all those whose rights have been violated. He said what is alleged to have happened is antithetical to him as a leader of young people in the province.
“It is antithetical to what our organisation stands for and we will not stand in the way for the law to take its course,†he said.
Meanwhile, ANCYL provincial spokesperson, Tshepo Mohlomi said the ANCYL is aware of rape allegations levelled against two of its Regional Task Team leaders. Mohlomi said as disappointing as it appears to be for the image of the organisation, the two members have thus far approached the
organisation and voluntarily stepped aside from their responsibilities as per the dictate of the broader policy of the movement.
“The ANCYL wishes to reiterate its intolerance on matters relating to the gross violation of women’s rights and their bodies. We maintain our stunts in condemning the barbaric behaviour of women abuse. We condemn any disregard for the rights of women by any man regardless of their association with our organisation, position in society or any other attribute that might mislead any person into believing that they possess some superiority over the body or rights of women of our country.
“The organisation unreservedly welcomes the voluntary decision by the two accused to step aside from all the responsibilities assigned to them by the ANCYL. Their action in this regard signifies a common appreciation by members and leaders of the organisation that at no point must the movement be associated with this alleged pattern of personal conduct,†he said.
Mohlomi said they further call on the law to take its course in determining these allegations and the punishment thereof. He said the ANCYL wished to caution all young people against the disregard of human rights and the violation of women.
Picture: Modimong Water Project completed/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Department of Water and Sanitation in North West said it has completed the Modimong Water Project worth more than R 24 million, which will benefit more than 1 000 households with access to clean fresh water in Modimong and Madibaneng villages, Taung.
The Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said this project, funded through the Department’s Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG), was completed in November 2023, and will provide a basic level of water supply service to the communities.
“The project entailed hydrogeological work that tested an aquifer on existing boreholes, as well as drilling a couple of new production boreholes. The new borehole pump-houses were reinforced with concrete to ensure better security.
“The work also included upgrading of the pumping and reticulation networks, installation of isolating and scour valves, as well as 46 new communal water standpipes. A 305 kilolitre of an existing elevated steel water storage tank was refurbished at Modimong village,†he said.
Mavasa further said a water supply network that provides emergency potable water to Madibaneng village, was constructed and this included laying of ten water pipes and two 10 kiloliters Jojo tanks (with fencing), and three new communal standpipes. He added that 15 jobs were created for local people from the project.
“The department urges community members within the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) to protect the infrastructure and report any form of vandalism or criminal activities related to it.
“The community members are also encouraged to use water prudently, and harvest water during the rainy season in their area,†said Mavasa.
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