Two accused, Hilda Matlhabadie Tlou (41) and Authalia Busika (47), were sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Regional Court, or pay a R20 000 fine after they were found guilty of fraud. According to the Hawks in North West, between 2012 and 2013, Tlou, who is a former clerk at the Bafokeng Magistrate’s office and Busika, who is a former clerk at the Rustenburg Platinum Mine, reportedly connived and created a fraudulent Power of Attorney letter for maintenance from a beneficiary of file of the complainant.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Col, Tinyiko Mathebula said they allegedly stole R55 000, which they shared among themselves. Mathebula further said following an investigation, the pair was arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in 2015.
“Tlou was released on warning, while Busika was released on R5000 bail. The accused made a series of court appearances until they were convicted and sentenced.
“They were sentenced to R20 000 fine or five years imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not found guilty of fraud during the period of suspension,” he added.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have lauded the investigation and prosecution team for securing a successful conviction against the accused.
Picture: The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Collen Maine with SAFA delegation/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Collen Maine said they had a fruitful session with South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Dr Danny Jordaan at SAFA House in Nasrec, Johannesburg. Maine said he engaged SAFA to consider North West amongst provinces that have the capacity and willingness to host both national and international games.
He further said the province has not hosted in while, which presupposes that there is under utilisation of the stadiums in the North West. Maine added that this is adversely affecting the development of sports, as well as tourism in the province.
“We pleaded with Jordaan that it is crucial for SAFA to consider hosting games in our province because that will give the people of North West a civic pride, and that will also facilitate improvement in the development of the province with regard to infrastructure, growth in investment and tourism.
“We both also placed heavy emphasis on the school sport programme, because under 15 and 19 academies are recruited from inter-school sport competition games. The province will be hosting a Premier Cup soon, which is a culmination of Mayoral Cup tournaments into final provincial cup games,” he said.
Maine said North West has talent and they plead with the confederation to come to the province to scout talent. He said they appreciate the opportunity to meet with SAFA and they are looking forward to further discussions around hosting agreements, and to is leave the legacy for the people of North West.
Meanwhile, Jordaan made a commitment to Maine that Royal Bafokeng and Olympia Stadiums amongst others, will be considered to host in the upcoming national and international matches.
Picture: Some of the buses from Atamelang Bus Company/Facebook
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng has applauded the bravery displayed by some of the Atamelang Bus Company drivers for preventing possible disaster that might happen due to conditions of some of the buses used to transport commuters. Morweng said Atamelang is one of the commuter companies that are subsidised by the his department.
Today, the drivers came to the department head offices and requested a meeting with Morweng, asking him to intervene. Of late, the buses belonging to the company experienced mechanical breakdowns with lot of dissatisfaction from commuters, who are mostly workers and learners.
“As a result, commuters have been arriving late to their respective destinations. I was encouraged by the bravery displayed by drivers. One thing that I must express is the bravery they have displayed and not worried about losing your jobs, but putting lives of our commuters first.
“That shows they know their role in the society, unlike keeping quiet when Rome is burning and know they could have taken actions to avert tragedy,” he said.
Morweng assured that, government will intervene in the challenges that commuters using Atamelang buses are faced with everyday and come up with a permanent solution. He further said government cannot sit back and idle when tax payers’ money is being used and there is no value for money.
“You go to work or school as a learner, you are not sure if you will arrive on time. You go home after work, you still not sure if you will arrive home on time. This has to stop and I will soon meet with company owners to hear what are their plans in trying to resolve the challenges passengers are faced with on daily basis,” said Morweng.
Picture: Some of the delegates attending the Fellowship Program/Twitter
By BAKANG MOKOTO
North West University’ School of Government Studies hosted the first of the three legs of the Strong Nations for Africa Fellowship Programme from 28 July to 2 August 2024. The programme was co-designed and co-delivered by the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) in Singapore and the African Association of Public Administration and Management (AAPAM).
According to the North West University (NWU) principal and vice chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, the programme is tailored for senior African public sector leaders. Tyobeka said it aims to build a community of leaders committed to enhancing the quality of national governance in their respective countries.
He further said the programme brought together delegates from various African countries, who were accepted on merit after undergoing a rigorous selection process. Tyobeka added that the first leg of the initiative consists of various modules and was facilitated by respected academics and practitioners.
“They include Prof Kedibone Phago, Prof Piet Croucamp, Prof Lusanda Juta and Dr Christa de Wet from the NWU, Prof Siphamadla Zondi from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Prof Mammo Muchie from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
“Other facilitators were Bontle Lerumo from the Public Service Education and Training Authority (PSETA), Zukiswa Mqolomba from the Public Service Commission of South Africa (PSCSA), and Dr Botshabelo Maja from the National School of Government (NSG),” he said.
Tyobeka said the government must respond to societal needs by providing health, education and infrastructure services, among others. He said this programme provides a platform for public officials to polish their technical know-how and leadership skills, which will significantly contribute to the governance foundations of the African states.
“Throughout the week, participants engaged in facilitated discussions and learning journeys, experiencing first-hand examples of public policy and service delivery in South Africa.
“The outcomes of these discussions emphasised the need for collective action from all stakeholders, including government, civil society and individuals, to address ethical lapses and work towards a more just and equitable society,” said Tyobeka.
Notable speakers include Wu Wei Neng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CIG and Dean of the Chandler Academy of Governance, and Dr John Nakabago, AAPAM president. Minister of Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, also delivered an inspiring address.
Buthelezi urged delegates to share knowledge and best practices.
“We urge you to think beyond borders to pursue local solutions to global challenges. We also encourage participants to make the most of this opportunity.
“Be proactive in sharing knowledge and best practices to enrich our collective approach to governance on the continent. Think beyond borders as you find local solutions that address global challenges,” he said.
On the final day, Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, addressed the delegates. She is currently the chancellor of Nelson Mandela University and the recipient of an Honorary Doctoral Degree from the NWU in 2021.
“There is a framework to guide public administration and governance practices through the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration principles, where I serve as the Chairperson of the Committee.
“This was a week of robust learning and networking. That has reinforced the programme’s mission to equip African public sector officials and leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to build solid nations for future generations,” said Fraser-Moleketi.
Meanwhile, the second leg of the programme will take place online from 12 to 16 August, while the third leg will take place in Singapore from 26 to 30 August, providing participants with a broader perspective on effective governance practices.
Picture: Some of the suspected stolen goods confiscated by police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
Two suspects aged 28 and 31, were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen goods in Prieska. The goods are believed to have been stolen during a recent burglary.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the alleged incident occurred on 9 August 2024, at around 3am, during which an Orbital electric polisher, an angle grinder, welding machine, Hikoki heat gun, laptop, an impact drill machine and electrical sander with an estimated value R15 000 were stolen.
“The Prieska Visible Policing unit received a tip-off and followed up on the information. They arrested the suspects on 14 August 2024. Most of the stolen goods were recovered at different locations.
“The suspects will briefly appear in the Prieska Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of house breaking and theft. The police in Prieska remain committed towards policing property-related crimes,” he said.
Kock further said the SAPS management in the Northern Cape, lauded the police in Prieska for their swift retrieval of most of the stolen goods and for ensuring that the perpetrators were apprehended. He added that members of the community are reminded that buying and storing stolen goods is a criminal offense and encouraged to alert the police of such activities.
A man (42) was sentenced to 22 years by Kuruman Regional Court for kidnapping and rape. On 18 November 2016 at approximately 10:25pm, Shambi Elias Latha took the victim (25), from a social gathering in Cassel village, near Bothitong, and threatened her with a knife to accompany him to his house.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said Latha locked her in his bedroom and assaulted her with a panga. Kock said the victim was severely beaten and raped several times.
“The accused fell asleep afterwards and the victim managed to escape. She reported the incident to the police and Latha was subsequently arrested two days later.
“He was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for rape and 4 years for kidnapping. As the country celebrates Women’s Month, the police welcome the sentence. The sentences will run concurrently and Latha was also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commended Detective Captain Caren Nel from the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for her continued selfless contribution to fighting Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in the province, especially as the country is celebrating Women’s Month.
Picture: The counterfeit cigarettes confiscated by police/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
An undocumented foreign national man (22) was arrested for being in possession of counterfeit cigarettes and expired goods. On 14 August 2024, at approximately 5pm, members from the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Unit, with the assistance of the Northern Cape Task Team, operationalised information regarding the sale of counterfeit goods in Petrusville.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said upon arrival at the identified supermarket, police recovered counterfeit cigarettes and expired goods. She said when issuing a fine to the store owner (39), she allegedly attempted to bribe the police official.
“She was arrested on charges of bribery and employing an undocumented foreign national. Upon further investigation, a bottle store and a wholesale shop were also searched and a significant amount of counterfeit goods and medicine was recovered and confiscated.
“The estimated value of the confiscated cigarettes, expired goods and medicine is R450 000. The police in the Northern Cape remain committed towards the eradication of counterfeit and expired products sold to communities in the province,” said Ehlers.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape acting Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commended the team for their swift response and acknowledged the community for providing information regarding criminal activities in their area.
Nine wanted suspects have been arrested during the ongoing tracing operations by detectives in Roodepan. A tracing operation led to the arrest of the suspects aged between 17 and 48.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said: “These suspects have been on the run from the police for various crimes, including warrants of arrest, robbery, theft, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, housebreaking and theft.
“Tracing operations under the auspices of Operation Vhuthu Hawe will continue unabated.”
Professor Elmarie Slabbert of the Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) Research Unit at the North West University (NWU) said since 2022, the continent has seen a remarkable turnaround in its tourism fortunes.
Slabbert said it is enjoying an influx of foreign currency and experts agree that now is the time to capitalise on this renewed interest in Africa as a tourist destination, as opportunities like this do not come along very often.
“Africa is in the best possible position to benefit from post-pandemic travel. In terms of tourism, the continent has grown significantly post-COVID 19 pandemic and according to the United Nations Tourism Report 2024, the continent has achieved a 96% recovery, which is driven by European markets.
“I think there is something to be said about the hospitality of Africans. The vast landscapes to escape to, the bucket list drive, the special places to visit and above all, the unique and authentic experiences – this is Africa,” she said.
Slabbert further said the continent has also opened its doors wide to tourists after realising the devastating effect of their absence. She added that priorities post-COVID such as air connectivity, digitisation, investment and ease of access have contributed to this growth.
“Also note that Africa’s tourism offering is becoming more relevant as people yearn to be in nature and spend time with family and friends. However, it is important to ensure that we develop this sector in a sustainable way in order to offer these products to many generations to come. If Africa can continue to adapt to the demands of the tourism sector, the future looks bright.
“Sustainable practices are becoming a factor influencing travel behaviour and choices. Despite many challenges, tourism to Africa will continue to grow because of what it has to offer and its people,” said Slabbert.
She said Africa needs the European injection into tourism, which drives economic growth, infrastructure development, job opportunities, improved livelihoods and the conservation of valuable attractions and wildlife. Slabbert said the strategy to increase international tourist arrivals is very effective and shows how cooperation between different departments can make a difference –an example for other continents and countries.
Meanwhile, in June 2024, 1,6 million foreign travellers visited South Africa, of which 641 284 were tourists staying overnight, mainly for holiday purposes. The majority of these tourists (77%) were from SADC countries, with Zimbabwe being the largest contributor at 169 490 tourists, according to Stats SA.
South Africa received 40 591 tourists from the USA and 15 601 from the UK in June. This shows that Africans are travelling and choosing South Africa as their destination.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Xola Nqola expressed his concern about conflicting reports on the access to the Zondo Commission investigation database. Nqola said these reports are extremely concerning as it deals with state capture and millions and millions of rands stolen from the South African people.
He further said every South African wants to see justice in these matters and the money returned to the state coffers in order to alleviate the strain on the economy and the people. Nqola added that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are locked in a stand-off with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD), after full access to vital state capture evidence was allegedly blocked.
“The reports go on to say that the NPA and the Investigating Directorate have lost access to a large digital evidence database gathered by Zondo Commission investigators because of a lack of maintenance. The NPA has since refuted the allegations.
“It said that access to the digital lab is a technical one and it continues to engage the department on the matter. The department has called the media reports misleading and factually inaccurate,” he said.
Nqola said that such reports can lead to the public losing faith in the justice system and the country’s efforts to fight corruption. He said it is clear that the reports and the comments from the authorities are contradictory.
“It is for this reason that the committee will call the department and all the role players to enlighten the Members of Parliament (MPs) and the public on this very serious matter. The country’s reputation to deal with crime and corruption is at stake when allegations of this nature are circulated,” said Nqola.
The Guardian 