A man (46) was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for contravention of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act (POCA) 12 of 2004, corruption. Lebogang Matthew Theane was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and Serious Corruption Investigation members on 29 March 2022, for alleged theft and corruption.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said Theane was charged alongside his colleague, Lebone Shomang (39). Thebe said Lebone’s case continues after their matter was separated for trial.
“The Hawks in Upington received a complaint from the lawful owner’s nephew alleging that his uncle’s minibus was impounded without a fine, by South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs Division in Kakamas. The nephew approached Theane with a view of having the minibus released.
“The accused in his capacity as SARS Custom official, demanded gratification to an amount of R8000 prior the release of the minibus to its lawful owner. Theane was sentenced by Upington Magistrate’s Court after entering into a guilty plea,” he said.
Thebe further said Upington Magistrate’s Court sentenced the accused to a fine of R30 000 or 12 months imprisonment, and a 24 months Correctional Supervision Court on 17 September 2024. He added that the case against the second accused continues and was postponed until 7 October 2024.
Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
18 September 2024- The North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, decried non-compliance of Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) with legislation as a major cause of her department’s inability to achieve a clean audit. Dantjie was addressing the representatives of various NPOs in Ngaka Modiri Molema District as part of a meet and greet programme in her first 100 days in the office.
She further said her department account to oversight bodies on how they spend the budget that is allocated to them. Dantjie added that a large percentage of the departmental budget goes to the NPOs to enable them to work in partnership with the department in delivering services to the people.
“If we fund NPOs that are not fully compliant with legislation, we will surely attract a finding from the Auditor General. NPOs must refrain from using unspent monies without the approval of the department.
“To be in the good books of the AG, we will not release your next trench, if you cannot appropriately account for your previous one. Our department is affected by a shrinking fiscus and this calls for funded NPOs to explore other avenues, which include fund-raising, sponsorship and any other assistance from government departments and its entities,” she said.
Dantjie said NPOs must understand when there is a budget cut, they should maximise what they have received. She said the department has ensured that each NPO has a bookkeeper, therefore failure to comply will not be tolerated, adding that the NPOs must maintain the number that they started with and inform the department of any changes in their staff complement.
“On NPOs that work with older persons, such NPOs must familiarise themselves with the Older Persons Act. The key highlights of the Act must also be displayed at the NPOs for the community to know them.
“Those who receive older persons’ grants, please ensure that the elderly meet their obligations with their churches and burial societies. We would also like to caution the NPOs against crying foul when their trench has not been paid, while they had received the 90% of the older persons grant of the elderly under their care,” said Dantjie.
She said as part of the activities of the day, they conducted a visit to Lonely Park – Signal Hill disabled project.
Picture: The Hartbeespoort Dam during cleaning session/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
18 September 2024- The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane calls on the Madibeng Local Municipality to strengthen its by-laws and raise awareness of business regulations to ensure peaceful dispute resolution without resorting to violence or property damage.
This comes after a recent violent incident in Hartbeespoort, where properties were set on fire. It is alleged that the incident was sparked by racial tensions.
“We express our deep concern over the recent violent incident. We also acknowledged the racial tensions surrounding the incident, amid allegations that, “Afrikaans-speaking individuals”, are attempting to displace black residents and their businesses from the area.
“The matter has been reported to the police and investigations are currently underway. Transformation is ongoing in the Hartbeespoort area, particularly with the involvement of the Mekgareng Communal Property Association (MCPA) and Oberon Development, following the return of approximately 400 hectares of land to the black community,” she said.
Lenkopane further said the government has already allocated nearly R70 million towards the area’s development, with plans to create a smart city featuring office parks, a five-star hotel and other tourism-enhancing infrastructure. She added that her department remains committed to supporting Mekgareng and Oberon in advancing this significant project.
“The municipality has recorded the highest post-pandemic recovery rate in the province at 65%, particularly Brits and Hartbeespoort Dam. The area’s proximity to Gauteng’s Lanseria and OR Tambo International Airports, offers the North West a strategic advantage in attracting international tourists and revitalizing tourism in the province.
“We cannot allow these violent incidents to derail our recovery efforts, especially during Tourism Month and as we approach the festive season. We affirm that our department will continue collaborating with the Department of Community Safety and Transport, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for tourists,” said Lenkopane.
She said roadblocks will be set up along the N4 and other major routes connecting the North West to neighbouring provinces to enhance security measures. Lenkopane called for those responsible for unlawful activities to be held accountable and urged all parties involved in the Hartbeespoort incidents to allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation.
Picture: Some of the equipment seized by the police during the raid/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
18 September 2024 – Four suspects have been arrested on 17 September 2024, for Contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act, (Act No. 13 of 2002) in Sun City, Rustenburg during Operation Vala Umgodi. The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said during the operation, the police seized illegal mining equipment such as generators, spades, mining equipment like jack hammers and drills and pendukas.
“All four suspects were nabbed for contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act, (Act No. 13 of 2002) and will appear before the Mankwe Magistrate’s Court on 19 September 2024” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrests and thanked the police for their continued efforts in the fight against illicit activities.
Picture: The seven accused persons on an arson case
By OBAKENG MAJE
18 September 2024- The judgement on an arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung, has been postponed until 3 October 2024. This comes after the defence lawyer’s no show due to some other commitment.
The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (42), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (47) Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (37), Ali Sakiele (51), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (39) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (33), were arrested by the police in July 2022, during an intelligence-driven operation.
In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family. They accused the alleged drug lord and rapist, Bakang Katong (33) and his co-accused of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”
Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong
(35), Thabang Lenyai (24) and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (32), were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder. The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung.
Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.
18 September 2024 – The police in Mahikeng are appealing to the public to assist them to locate the family of a deceased woman, Gabana Kgosi (41). It is alleged that the lifeless body of Gabana Kgosi was discovered next to the dumping site in Danville Township, outside Mahikeng, on 9 September 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said, according to initial investigations conducted, it became evident that the deceased was raped before she got murdered. Myburgh said Kgosi’s face was covered with a cream/white trouser with floral print on it, while a peach t-shirt, a grey and black blouse and a military jacket, were found next to her.
“She is short and slender, built with long hair. The police request anyone who may have information that can assist to locate her family to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Boitumelo Motsamai on 079 881 9905 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop on number 08600 10111.
“Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the My SAPS App from your smartphone,” she said.
Picture: The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
18 September 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies said it is gravely concerned about the business rescue process at the South African Post Office (SAPO), following a presentation to the committee yesterday, 17 September 2024. This comes after the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs), appeared before the committee to provide an urgent update on mitigation strategies to avoid the so-called Day Zero scenario.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko said a Day Zero – set for 30 October 2024 – is understood to be the day when the ailing national postal services are expected to run out of cash reserves required for their operations.
Diko said the presentation covered the progress to date with implementing the business rescue plan and proposed mitigation measures being considered by the BRPs, who have assumed full management and operational control of the company. She further said the committee noted some of the BRPs’ work to achieve short to medium-term objectives, including reducing approximately R1.2 billion in annual employee costs, right-sizing the entity and paying dividend awards of 12 cents in the Rand to all pre-commencement current creditors.
“The committee has, however, expressed its dissatisfaction with the presentation, reaffirming its position that the BRPs have failed to present a cogent business case for the SAPO’s long-term sustainability in line with their statement of intent at the start of the business rescue proceedings, to ensure “the stabilisation, survival and future-proofing of the SA Post Office”.
“The committee believes that the BRPs were appointed to implement a three-legged mandate of rescuing, stabilising and ensuring the long-term commercial viability of the Post Office. In the briefing to the committee, the BRPs said nothing about the plan to future proof SAPO, except to say that they needed R3.8 billion from the fiscus,” said Diko.
She added that, according to the BRPs, this money is used to pay the final tranche of the retirement packages to employees, meet obligations with payroll creditors and use the remainder for capital and operational expenditures.
Diko said the committee believes that to access the desired cash draw down from the fiscus, the business rescue process should clearly demonstrate the path to viability and sustainability beyond this requested bail out. She said failure to do so is to absolve the BRPs of their obligation to the organisation.
“Consequently, the committee has called on the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Molatsi, to urgently establish a Ministerial Intervention Team (MIT) to work with the Business Rescue Practitioners and the National Treasury, amongst others, to develop a strong business case to save and restore the Post Office as a reinvigorated going concern.
“The MIT should, amongst other actions, urgently convene stakeholders and other industry players in the postal services, courier and e-commerce sectors to engage on proposals towards strategic, sustainable and value-creating private sector partnerships,” said Diko.
She said due to consideration, should also be given to exploring opportunities to leverage SAPO’s extensive property assets for retail, residential and student accommodation purposes. Diko said to support the process, the committee shall also engage with its counterparts in parliament to aggressively enhance support for the SAPO by the rest of government.
“Furthermore, the committee shall also seek a joint meeting with the Standing Committee on Finance to explore any available measures that can be put in place to salvage the situation.
“The committee firmly believes that no effort must be spared to rescue and revive the South African Post Office as a vital state institution with an important mandate to connect people to one another and to the government in a fast-evolving technological age,” said Diko.
18 September 2024- A man (32) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court for murder. This comes after Collen Rorisang Mogotsi killed his own son.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, 8 November 2017, police were called to a house in Willowpark in Lehurutshe where the body of a five-month old baby boy was found with head and other injuries.
“He was declared dead by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) on the scene. It was reported that the baby’s mother and her boyfriend (father of the baby) had an argument earlier at their home in Mmamoswane Section in Dinokana village, outside Zeerust.
“During the argument, the mother told her boyfriend that the baby is not his. The intoxicated man became aggressive and assaulted the baby. Mogotsi then told the mother that the baby is dead and must be taken back to her parental home in Willowpark,” she said.
Myburgh further said the police arrested the father shortly after the incident was reported and appeared in court on 13 November 2017. She added that the convict was further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearm Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, applauded the investigating officer, Sergeant Thabo Tshweu of Lehurutshe Detectives, as well as the prosecutor, Neo Sedumedi, for their teamwork and diligence that resulted in the conviction.
The Guardian 