Monthly Archives: August 2024

Stakeholders strengthen relations in quest of combating crime 

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Picture: Some of the attendees at Community Policing Indaba/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

Stakeholders have taken an oath to serve and protect all communities, as well as to strengthen relations in the quest to prevent and fight the prevalence of criminality. This concession was undertaken at the Community Policing Indaba, which took place in Mahikeng recently, to look into areas of improvement regarding the implementation of the Community Policing Strategy that seeks to enhance police services to the public. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, emphasised the significance of making communities part and parcel of solutions to fight crime.  

“Our communities need to have an understanding of what the work of the police entails. This Indaba has provided a platform for that. It also provides us an opportunity to assess their perceptions on whether we are meeting expectations of those we serve. 

“We need to mobilise our people and sensitise them on community policing. We take things a step further and say the inputs by commissions should form part of our annual performance plans,” he said. 

The chairperson of Community Policing Forum (CPF) in North West, Robert Malungane said fundamentally, CPFs ensure police accountability, transparency and generally connect the police with the community. Malungane highlighted the essence of supporting CPFs in their work. 

“With many challenges encountered in our line of duty, we remain unaverred because of our commitment to uphold community safety. Our position is that, while we need support, especially resources, we must not be deterred in our active citizenry,” he said. 

All stakeholders made a commitment to chart the course in collaboration. This includes various structures within community formations such as the North West House of Traditional and Khoi- San leaders, as governance structures, The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management with their oversight mandate and many others, who contributed meaningfully to the Indaba on ways to move the province forward and derail crime from undermining the gains of democracy. 

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North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane happy with progress recorded over issuing of licences 

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Picture: North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT)

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said she is happy with the progress recorded in the last two months on processing and issuing of licences to applicants. Lenkopane said more queries were also addressed and gave involved parties closure on matters raised and cleared paths for licensees to conduct their respective business. 

She further said among the department’s core responsibilities is to register and regularize business operations in the province, including issuing of Liquor and Gambling Licences, where revenue through levies could be sourced for re-investment into the provincial economic support, growth and service delivery. Lenkopane added that she has embarked on a meet and greet session with stakeholders of the department, including entities. 

“Through submitted reports from the directorates, we discovered deficiencies from the North West Liquor Board, where such impeded and its functionalities led to a huge backlog on adjudication of licensing applications. 

“Other members of the Board had also resigned, affecting the Board’s constitutional composition thus being disabled to make legal decisions. I appointed the Liquor Board in July and strengthened its operation to improve and accelerate its work,” she said.

Lenkopane said the chairperson and deputy chairperson were given the responsibility to reposition the entity to enable it to collect more revenue. She said they were also charged with unblocking challenges on the applications and ensuring that set targets are reached on time as many queries were received with being attended to and responses issued. 

“In July alone, the North West Liquor Board has managed to process and adjudicate 79 new licence applications and 9 secondary applications seeking relocations within the same magisterial areas. All applications received were approved and applicants will be invited to receive their licences to be handed over by me on 21 to 23 August 2024 dates. 

“These outcomes were communicated and successful applicants are expected to start operating accordingly and are warned to do so within the Liquor Act prescripts and all applicable laws. The Board has recorded improved collection of revenue from levies in the same period,” said Lenkopane. 

She said the Board has also attended to complaints regarding non-compliance from licencees ranging from non-adherence to operating hours, where a tavern from Ventersdorp was punished among others. Lenkopane appealed to licensees to comply and operate within the law as required and allow their establishments to be embraced by communities so as to contribute to the local economy and reduce unemployment. 

“We warned that those not respecting the law will not be left unpunished to ensure that the rights of all community members are secured. The province is still working on the Act that will allow the entity to, amongst others, enable adjustment with new dispensations. 

“Applicants can meet their respective market requirements such as operation on Sundays and or public holidays. This will however be done with strict compliance measures. We are also pleased with the progress recorded in Gambling Licencing applications,” she said. 

Lenkopane said in early July, she had a session with Gambling Licencees, where she recorded many complaints that included the long turnaround time for the approval of the licences. 

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The missing Alfred Puoeng’s alleged killers arrested 

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Picture: A body of a person exhumed by the police/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Four accused persons aged 26 and 40 are expected to appear before the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 21 August 2024, in connection with the murder of Alfred Ntagane Puoeng (34), who was reported missing at Pudimoe Police Station on 7 July 2024.

According to the reports, Puoeng was last seen in December 2023, when he left his home in Pudimoe. The missing man’s father allegedly received a tip-off that his son was assaulted by Keaobaka Blos, Mohau Gaobuse, Oaitse Nchweng and Rapelang Blos, for stealing a cell phone. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said in January 2024, the concerned father called other family members to check if they were not aware of the victim’s whereabouts, but nothing positive came out of that.

“In June 2024, the father eventually met the victim’s friend, who was with him when he was assaulted. After being informed that Puoeng was severely assaulted by four people, who accused him of theft, the father reported the matter to the police. 

“It transpired during investigations that four men assaulted and killed Puoeng, then buried him in a shallow grave at a farm, outside Vryburg. The accused persons were arrested at their residences in Pudimoe on 13 August 2024,” she said.  

Funani further said the accused persons initially appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 14 August 2024, and their case was postponed until 21 August 2024, for formal bail application.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all members of Pudimoe Police Station and other role players for their collaborative and investigative efforts to ensure that alleged perpetrators are brought to book.

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A man sentenced to 10 for killing his girlfriend 

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By REGINALD KANYANE 

A man (32) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court for murder. Dodo Oliphant was arrested on 2 November 2019, for assaulting and stabbing his girlfriend to death.  

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said Oliphant got angry after he visited and found his girlfriend (28), with another boyfriend at her residence in Tswelelang Township, outside Wolmaransstad. Funani said the convict stabbed the boyfriend who ran away.  

“Oliphant then assaulted and stabbed his girlfriend, Karabo Metswamere with a knife on the upper body and left her bleeding to chase the other boyfriend. The neighbours, who witnessed the incident called Metswamere’s family.

“The family alerted the police who found Karabo. She was transported to hospital. The police arrested Oliphant at Tswelelang Township and charged him with attempted murder. The case was later changed to murder after Karabo died in hospital,” she said.

Funani further said Oliphant has been behind bars ever since his arrest and was also charged with assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). She added that upon sentencing the accused, the court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the Wolmaransstad Detectives for the sterling job and dedication they displayed to ensure that Oliphant was arrested and convicted. Kwena said he is pleased that the sentence, which was imposed during Women’s Month, will serve as an indication to criminals that Gender Based Violence (GBV) will not be condoned.

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A man arrested for allegedly killing his co-worker 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

A man (31) who was arrested for murder is expected to appear in the Christiana Magistrate’s Court on 19 August 2024. The suspect allegedly killed his co-worker (27) after a quarrel ensued between them.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said according to reports, the victim was visiting his two co-workers, who are brothers at Geluksoord Township, near Christiana. Funani said they all went to a local tavern, where a quarrel ensued between the two brothers. 

“This comes after the elder brother took his younger brother’s cell phone and refused to give it back to him. The trio went back to the house, where the brothers continued to fight. The aggressive elder brother allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife on the upper body when trying to separate them.  

“The police were summoned to the scene, where the victim was certified dead. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng, thanked the police for their rapid response that led to the arrest. Tlotleng urged the community members to solve their differences amicably rather than resorting to violence.

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Amajita beat Lesotho in away friendly match

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Picture: Amajita players during a match/Google 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The South African U20 Men’s National Team beat their Lesotho counterparts 3-1 in a friendly match played at Bambatha Tšsita Sports Arena on Friday. This was the first of two friendly matches that Amajita will play in Lesotho this weekend as they continue with their preparations for the 2024 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations and COSAFA Qualifier scheduled for September 2024.

The visitors started the match brightly and dominated the ball possession, and they were rewarded 20 minutes into the game when Mfundo Vilakazi, scored the opening goal. Coach Raymond Mdaka’s team doubled the lead six minutes later as Kutlwano Lethlaku scored from close range.

Lesotho clawed their way back through Paseka Maile when he scored in the 39th minute, but the South Africans held onto the lead to go to the halftime break still in the lead.

Substitute Shakeel April put the game beyond the reach of the hosts when he scored the third goal of the match to complete the 3-1 victory for the visitors.

Amajita will meet the hosts again on 18 August 2024 in their second and final match in Lesotho.

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A learner arrested for being in possession of firearm and ammunition

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Picture: A firearm and ammunition confiscated by the police/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE 

A learner (15), who was found to be in possession of a firearm and six ammunition, has been placed under the care of his parents. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, the police in Klipgat, were dispatched to the school following the call from the principal.  

Funani said on arrival, the principal showed them a firearm and ammunition, as well as the learner who was allegedly found in possession of the items. 

“The learner who allegedly told the police that the firearm belongs to his brother, who has gone missing since Wednesday, was arrested. The preliminary investigation revealed that the firearm was reported stolen at Mabopane Township, in Gauteng Province on 11 July 2024. 

“The minor was assessed by social workers on 15 August 2024, and placed under the care of his parents. Meanwhile, the police are looking for the learner’s brother. The minor is expected to appear before the Ga-Rankuwa Children’s Court on 21 August 2024,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 1 Commissioner, Major General Modisagaarekwe Mosimanegape, urged the parents and firearm owners not to leave their firearms unattended as that poses danger to the community.

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Two accused persons sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

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.

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Maine engages SAFA in quest to bring back sports activities in North West

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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.

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