Daily Archives: September 20, 2024

Former ANCYL president, Collen Maine removed as North West MEC

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: North West MEC Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation, Collen Maine

By OBAKENG MAJE

20 September 2024- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi is expected to make changes to his Executive Council (Exco) next week. This comes after the ANC National Executive Committee’s instruction to remove a male MEC and replace him with a female to address gender disparity.   

Now, Mokgosi has relinquished former ANCYL president, Collen Maine from his position as North West MEC for Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation and replaced him with ANC Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Virginia Tlhapi, who is also former MEC for the same portfolio.

According to our highly-placed source, the decision was taken on 18 September 2024, during the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting. However, Maine allegedly requested until next week to wrap up some of the projects that were already at the advanced stage.

Those projects include the opening of Manthe Indoor Centre and Taung Cultural Calabash preparations, amongst others.  Maine is expected to replace SANCO’s Tshepo Khoza as North West Provincial Legislature’s Deputy Speaker.

Khoza was unceremoniously removed from this position amid fake matric certificate allegations. On 21 June 2024, Mokgosi appointed five men and five women as MECs in his EXCO. However, he was supposed to apply the 60/40 method.

Meanwhile, the ANC spokesperson in North West, Tumelo Maruping said: “This matter is still internal and the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will communicate his decision next week.”  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Mmabana Foundation to host annual Taung Cultural Calabash auditions

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: One of the artists performing during Taung Cultural Calabash

By OBAKENG MAJE

20 September 2024- The Mmabana Foundation said it is proud to host the annual district auditions for the embattled Taung Cultural Calabash (TCC). The Mmabana Foundation said it is also committed to nurture, develop and promote artistic talent in the North West.

Mmabana Foundation Marketing and Communication Manager, Kgalalelo Molotsi said these auditions will take place across the province, aiming to identify the top contenders in each discipline—Performing Arts and Visual Arts—who will advance to compete on the main stage at the upcoming main competition.

Molotsi further said Mmabana Foundation invites all emerging artists in the province to audition for the Taung Cultural Calabash and seize the opportunity to participate in the main competition, where they stand a chance to win cash prizes.

“The auditions are open to performing and visual artists between the ages of 18 and 35, who are residents of the North West and are South African citizens. The auditions will take place at Mmabana Taung Centre on 25 September 2024.

“They will commence at Klerksdorp Civic Centre on 26 September 2024, on 27 September 2024 at Mmabana Lehurutshe Centre, while on 28 September 2024 at Rustenburg Information Centre,” she said.

Molotsi added that artists should come prepared to showcase their talents in the disciplines such as Performing Arts: Music (Instrumental and Acapella), Drama and Poetry, Dance (Contemporary, Freestyle, Gumboots, Pantsula, Hip-hop). Visual Arts: Drawing and Painting, Clothing Design, Craft, Photography, and Sculpture.

She said participants are required to bring a photocopy of their identification document to the auditions.

“Information about the main festival, including dates and the traditional programme, will be shared in due course.

“Mmabana Foundation management is dedicated to creating equal platforms for the creative sector in the province, offering artists from across the region opportunities to showcase their talents,” said Molotsi.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A man sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a toddler

NEWS Leave a comment

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

20 September 2024– A man (33) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Regional Court for kidnapping and rape. In the morning of Saturday, 26 November 2022, a girl (2), was playing in the street with friends at Mogono Section, in Luka village, when the accused frightened the children and they scattered into different directions.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said he caught the toddler and took her with him. Myburgh said after a while, her parents and neighbours started looking for her.

“They discovered her naked in the convict’s bath tub. The child was immediately removed and taken to the police, who arrested the accused shortly after the incident was reported.

“He made a series of court appearances until he was found guilty and sentenced. The accused convicted for kidnapping and rape,” she said.

Myburgh further said the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000). She added that, the court further ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the Register for Child Offenders.

Myburgh said the parents are reminded to always know where their children are and to ensure that they (children) play under the watchful eye of responsible adults.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence and applauded the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Christopher Maimela of Rustenburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and the Prosecutor, Advocate Zola Mpayipheli, for their teamwork and being equal to the task of ensuring that the accused is convicted. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Refurbishment of Ikaneng Secondary School to benefit the community

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi during sod-turning/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE

20 September 2024- The North West Department of Education said, under the Thuntsa Lerole Reloaded accelerated service delivery program, it has marked a significant milestone with the sod-turning ceremony for the renovation and expansion of Ikaneng High School in Sutelong village, near Moretele on 20 September 2024.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the project is a testament to the department’s commitment to providing quality education and creating lasting infrastructure to serve future generations. She further said the extensive project at the school includes the refurbishment of four existing classroom blocks and the construction of several new facilities, such as a new administration block and nutrition block.

“This includes the construction of a new sports block, a new refuse block, a new computer and science block, a new library and multipurpose centre, a new toilet block and a new clearvu fence around the premises.

“The renovations and new constructions are expected to be completed within 18 months, providing quality facilities for learners and educators in the community. The school also receives essential stationery, enhancing the learning environment for its learners,” said Motsumi. 

She hailed the project as a landmark moment. Motsumi added that through sod-turning events, they are not just building a school, but laying a landmark moment that serves as the foundation for a long-lasting heritage for the Sutelong village community.

“In this Heritage Month, we are proud to invest in the future of Moretele, because, through education, we can uplift and transform communities. The Thuntsa Lerole Reloaded program ensures that the department continues to bring services to the people, empowering our learners with the best facilities and resources available.

“In addition to Ikageng High School, another local school, Rethusitswe Combined School, has also benefited from the Thuntsa Lerole Reloaded program. The school receives stationery and sanitary towels as part of the department’s efforts to support learners’ academic and personal well-being,” she said.

Motsumi said the Thuntsa Lerole Reloaded program continues to make strides in the province by addressing infrastructure challenges and improving the quality of education for learners across the North West province.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Sepodisi se butse kgetsi ya polao morago ga go bonwa ga setopo sag a Collen Modiriemang Seipone

NEWS Leave a comment

Setshwantsho: Monna o a neng a timetse, Collen Modiriemang Seipone

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

20 Lwetse 2024- Sepodisi sa Taung se butse kgetsi ya polao. Se se tla morago ga gore setopo sa monna oneng a begwa a timetse, se bonwe gaufi le tsela kwa nageng ma gareng ga motse wa Graspan le wa Magogong mono Taung ka letsatsi la Laboraro bosigo.

Collen Modiriemang Seipone (35), wa kwa motseng wa Kolong, gaufi le Taung, o ile a nyelela ka kgwedi ya Seetebosigo 2024. Jaanong, setopo sa gagwe se seneng se na le dintho mo tlhogong, se ile sa bonwa ke bafeti ka tsela mo letsatsing la Laboraro.  

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, setopo sa ga Seipone sene se na le dintho mo tlhogong, fela ga go itsiwe sediriswa se se dirisitsweng.

“Re tla netefatsa gore ke nnete gore setopo sa ga Seipone se se neng se na le dintho mo tlhogong, se bonwe. Fela go fitlha ga jaana, ga nkitla re tlhalosa gore se diriswa se se dirisitsweng mo tlhogong ya gagwe ke eng, ga mmogo le tlholo ya loso la gagwe.

“Fela, sepodisi se butse kgetsi ya polao, mme ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana. Diteko tsa morago ga loso, ke tsone tse di tla tlhotlhomisang gore moswi a ka tswa a bolailwe ka eng,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A man sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure

NEWS Leave a comment

By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 September 2024 – A man (55) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Ganyesa Regional Court for tampering with, damaging to essential infrastructure, two counts of theft and house-breaking. David Mathebula, who was wanted in various provinces including North West, was arrested by the Free State Organised Crime in Vrede on 23 May 2023, after the provincial Organised Crime unit stopped a suspicious vehicle in which Mathebula was a passenger. 

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said upon searching the car, the police found tower batteries. Myburgh said he was eventually handed over to North West and charged on crimes committed in Morokweng, Bray, Taung and Schweizer Reneke between June 2014 and October 2018.

“At the time of the conviction, Mathebula, was serving a combined 34 years imprisonment after being sentenced in the provinces of Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Mosimanegape Watson, urged the court to impose the maximum sentence to the accused because he has previous convictions of the same offence.

“Watson believed that these crimes were an act of sabotage, because his actions were affecting service delivery in various departments and municipalities,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, said they are elated by the meticulous investigation and prosecution. They also lauded the Investigating Officer, D/Sergeant Thapelo Pelele, the prosecutor, as well as everyone involved in the arrest, prosecution and subsequent conviction of the habitual offender.

Kwena said: “The sentence will definitely serve as an indication that crime does not pay as well as the significance of entities’ collaboration in the fight against criminality.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Second Edition of TDS U15 Interprovincial tournament takes centre stage this weekend

NEWS Leave a comment

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

20 September 2024 – The South African Football Association in partnership with the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), will host the second edition of the TDS U15 Interprovincial Tournament from 20 -24 September 2024, at the Panorama Football Club out in Honeydew, Roodepoort.

The first edition of the TDS Interprovincial Tournament played a huge role in creating the now active U17 Men’s National Team, which will represent South Africa at the COSAFA Championships later this year.

The second edition of this tournament will bear fruit to the next generation of U15 players for both boys and girls, as this year’s edition will see boys and girls from the nine provinces of South Africa partake in the tournament.

The U15 Interprovincial Tournament has become an important platform for identifying and honing young football talent from across South Africa.

The boys’ provincial teams have arrived, and the draw was held this evening, ahead of what promises to be a tournament of unearthing more hidden gems from across the country. The boy’s tournament will be played over two days, where scouts and coaches currently involved in the FIFA Talent Identification Workshop, will be present to select a group of outstanding players, who will not only go into the database of the Association, but will form part of the National Academy in 2026.

The provincial girls’ teams are expected to report to the SAFA Technical Centre on Sunday, 22 September 2024, ahead of their two-day tournament on 23 -24 September 2024. Scouts and coaches will also be present for this tournament to identify talent that will feed into the next U17 Women’s National Team.

The draw for the girls’ fixtures will be conducted once all provincial teams have been registered on Sunday evening.

The SAFA Facebook page will livestream these matches, while blow by blow updates will be provided on our social media platforms.

See Boys TDS Interprovincial fixtures below:

Click to access TDS-Inter-Provincial-Tournament-2024-Boys_240919_202906.pdf

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Two Lesotho foreign nationals nabbed for possession of firearms and ammunition

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Some of items seized by the police during raid/Supplied  

By REGINALD KANYANE

20 September 2024- Two Lesotho foreign nationals aged 30 and 35, were arrested by the Mahikeng Crime Intelligence (CI) and Tactical Response Team (TRT). This comes after the police received a tip-off regarding suspects that were allegedly conspiring to commit a house robbery in the early hours of Monday morning, 16 September 2024.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the police identified the suspects’ houses in Makhubung village and a search was conducted. Myburgh said at the first house, a firearm loaded with a bullet, as well as items believed to be stolen, were discovered.

“All items were seized by police. The suspect, Thabo Mpakoba was immediately arrested after failing to account. The police then proceeded to the next address and another suspect, Tshepang Ntoa, was also found with a 9mm pistol and one round of ammunition.

“He was also arrested. Consequently, both suspects were charged for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. They briefly appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on 18 September 2024, and they were remanded in custody until 26 September 2024,” she said.

Myburgh further said the possibility of linking the accused with other cases, including in places like Mmabatho, Setlagole and Madibogo, cannot be ruled out.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their continuous hard work in fighting crime in the province and for making sure that all citizens are protected.

taungdailynews@gmail.com