Daily Archives: September 25, 2024

SANCO leader resigns as MPL in North West Provincial Legislature amid fake matric certificate allegations

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Picture: SANCO provincial chairperson, Tshepo Khoza

By OBAKENG MAJE

25 September 2024- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) chairperson, Tshepo Khoza has resigned as Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). This comes after Khoza was removed as the Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature a month ago, amid fake matric certificate allegations.

SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said the Provincial Office Bearers (POB) held an urgent meeting to discuss the matter of Khoza’s deployment to the North West Provincial Legislature. Jam said the meeting was called by Khoza.

“During the meeting, Khoza officially informed the POB that he had submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Desbo Mohono on 24 September 2024.

“Khoza’s resignation follows his removal as the Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature. As SANCO, we find it appropriate to officially inform the public, alliance partners, and all its structures about the

resignation of Khoza the legislature, as these stakeholders are crucial to the organisation,” he said.

Jam further said they have called a meeting with the ANC, as the leader of the alliance, to propose

the appointment of Joseph Moyo, who is SANCO’s Deputy Provincial Chairperson, as Khoza’s

replacement in the North West Provincial Legislature. He added that SANCO’s representation in the North West Provincial Government is vital to advance its objectives, including advocating for and negotiating

on behalf of its members and society on matters affecting their rights and interests.

“The recommendation of Moyo for the vacant seat in the North West Provincial Legislature, was a resolution adopted by the SANCO Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) following Khoza’s removal as the Deputy Speaker,” he said.

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A fraud case against businessman postponed

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Picture: A businessman, Thoshan Panday

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 September 2024- A fraud case against a businessman, Thoshan Panday (52), was postponed in his absentia by the Durban Magistrate’s Court until 4 October 2024, to conduct an enquiry into his absence in court. This comes after the Head of Westville prison did not inform the court that Panday would not be attending court.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, despite a medical certificate being produced by his legal representative and handed in to the record indicating that Panday is admitted in a private hospital in Durban, magistrate deemed it befitting for the head of prison and the admitting doctor, where he is allegedly kept for medical attention to be subpoenaed to account for his absence and for not informing the court and the state.

“Following the court’s dismissal of his bail application on 9 September 2024, the matter was postponed to 25 September 2024, for it to be transferred to the Durban High Court.

“The state requested for a further detention warrant to be issued to extend his detention in his absence,” he said.

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Former SANDF member sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and infecting his partner with HIV

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Picture: The SANDF member/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

25 September 2024- The former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member (48), was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for rape. Leon Santos Conga raped his girlfriend, exposed and factually infected her with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

He was given an additional 10-year imprisonment for attempted murder for knowingly exposing and factually infecting her with HIV.  The court ordered that the sentence should run concurrently.

The NPA regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Conga and the victim were in a romantic relationship for four months, from 16 December 2016 until April 2017. Mahanjana further said, before the two began their relationship, the victim had done an HIV test on 1 December 2016, which came back HIV negative.

“When the two started their relationship, the victim raised the HIV conversation and insisted on knowing Conga’s HIV status. Conga then lied and misled the victim and told her that he was HIV negative hence his employer was able to deploy him outside the country.

“However, the victim came with the condition in their relationship that “no condom no sex”. One time when the two were intimate, Conga removed the condom. This apparently happened twice until the victim felt unwell and went to do an HIV test. When the results came back positive, she confronted Conga who denied infecting her,” she said.

Mahanjana added that she then reported the matter to the police in May 2017, however the docket was only opened on 9 July 2017.  She said in 2018 after several postponements in court, the matter was withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.

“However, after investigations and the required evidence was obtained from the SANDF the matter was re-enrolled on 21 August 2021 and Conga appeared in court.

“During the trial, Conga stated that the condom was removed by the complainant and denied infecting the victim with HIV.  However, the state prosecutor, Advocate Emile Van der Merwe called a witness, Professor Terresa Russouw, an HIV expert who testified about the effects of HIV and assisted the state in proving the attempted murder charge,” said Mahanjana.

She said the state also provided evidence, which revealed that Conga first tested HIV positive on 8 October 2007, therefore he was aware of his HIV status when he removed the condom and had intercourse with the victim.   

Meanwhile, during the sentencing proceedings, in aggravation of sentence, Advocate Van der Merwe argued that Conga was known to the victim as he served in the military with her brother.  Merwe said the victim trusted him, but he betrayed that trust.

“Furthermore, rape is not only a serious violent crime, but it is extremely prevalent. Therefore, the courts and prosecutions owe it to the community to deal with such matters with the seriousness and devotion it requires.

“So, we asked the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment. We also handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) and called the victim to testify in aggravation, where the victim told the court that the man left her with an emotional scar and a permanent trademark which is HIV,” he said.

Merwe said taking antiretroviral treatment (ARV) every night is a constant reminder of the scar he permanently gave her. He said as such, she has anxiety and fears about ever infecting her partner should she be in a relationship or infecting her child should she decide to have a baby.

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North West Department of Education officials nabbed for fraud

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By REGINALD KANYANE

25 September 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the arrest of two departmental officials for fraud, marks a crucial step in addressing fraudulent activities within her department. Motsumi said these officials from the Bojanala District Office, were arrested by the Hawks in connection with fraudulent documents.

She further said the arrests follow a thorough investigation and they briefly appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 25 September 2024. Motsumi added that the case involves officials who were appointed in 1998 and another in 2008.

“They were both found with fraudulent matric certificates. The verification process revealed that the matric certificates purportedly issued were invalid, as confirmed by the Umalusi.

“Following these findings, the matter was referred to the Department’s Labour Unit for intervention prior to the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) investigations. The accused persons were granted R12 000 and R2000 bail respectively,” she said.

Motsumi expressed the department’s commitment to clean governance and eradicating fraudulent behaviour within the education sector. She said as a department, one of the priorities that they are pursuing is to improve education, training, and innovation, and to contribute towards building a developmental state in the country.

“When we improve education, training, and innovation, we want the department to be regarded as the apex of good governance. To achieve that, we must clean up corrupt or fraudulent tendencies within the department.

“These arrests are a result of an ongoing investigation that has appeared in various media platforms in recent months. It is time for the law to take its course, and we trust that the state will handle these matters appropriately,” said Motsumi.

She said as the department, they will not interfere with the process. Motsumi said their focus remains on preparing the learners for the upcoming exams, with a targeted 90% pass rate across the province.

“While this matter is before law enforcement, our primary responsibility remains to ensure a quality education for all learners. The department will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure transparency and accountability within the sector,” she said.

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A man who is accused of killing his girlfriend remanded in custody

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

25 September 2024- A man (42), who is accused of killing his girlfriend, remanded in custody. Tebogo Ernest Modisaesi briefly appeared before Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court today, in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend Keolopile Dorothy Mocumi (34).

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said it is alleged that Mocumi and Modisaesi, visited her grandmother on Sunday morning, 23 September 2024, at her home in De-Aar village, near Morokweng. Funani said the couple allegedly left the granny’s place and went to the victim’s residence also in De-Aar village, where a quarrel ensued.

“The neighbours alerted the granny after they saw Modisaesi leaving the victim’s place in a hurry. The grandmother went to her grandchild’s shack, where she found her (Mocumi) lying in a pool of blood with a stab wound on her upper body.

“The police were summoned and assisted by members of the community to look for the suspect, who was apprehended after being found hiding in the bushes. His case was postponed until 3 October 2024, for formal bail application,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked members of the community for working together with the police in ensuring that the suspect is arrested.

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2024 Males National Netball Championships Promise Epic Battles

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Picture: The Men’s National Netball players/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 September 2024 –Netball South Africa is set to host the biggest Males National Netball Championships yet, with a record number of teams battling it out for the ultimate prize. As defending champions, Ekurhuleni will face intense competition from across the country as they attempt to retain their title.

The tournament, taking place at the Ellis Park Outdoor Courts in Johannesburg from 26 – 30 September 2024, will showcase the very best in men’s netball.

The Netball South Africa (NSA) president, Cecilia Molokwane said this is a record-breaking tournament. Molokwane said the tournament will be the largest to date, featuring over 60 teams competing across Senior A, B and Under 23 divisions.

“With over 60 teams, drawn from 52 districts across the country – the level of participation underscores the growing popularity of this men’s game. The 2023 edition of the tournament, held at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium Netball Courts in Rustenburg (North West), featured 48 district teams (12 under-23 teams and 36 senior teams).

“We believe the record participation of 67 teams across various divisions underscores the growing popularity of the sport. The 2024 Males National Netball Championships are shaping up to be an unforgettable event. With record participation, intense competition and the opportunity for national team selection, the tournament will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the sport of men’s netball,” she said.

Molokwane further said her vision and the overwhelming response to the tournament, indicate a promising future for men’s netball in South Africa. She added that Johannesburg will play host to the championships for the third time since 2015.

“The city boasts a strong netball presence, with four teams participating in this year’s tournament: two in the senior division and two in the under 23 division. Other districts with a significant number of teams include eThekwini, Ekurhuleni, Capricorn, Cape Town and Tshwane, each entering three teams.

“Ekurhuleni A, the reigning champions from Gauteng, are determined to prove that their 2023 victory was no fluke. With coach Judy Rathethe guiding them, Ekurhuleni A are determined to hold onto their title in the face of fierce competition,” said Molokwane.

Meanwhile, Rathethe said: “We shocked everyone last year, but we’re not resting on our laurels. We’re working hard to maintain our high standards. Defending a title brings its own pressure, but we’re ready. 

“The A division is extremely competitive. Two games a day against strong opposition – there’s no room for error. But the players are fully committed, putting everything on the line.”

She said they wish more people could witness the passion and intensity of this competition.

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NWU to face UWC in Varsity Football 2024 final

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Picture: The NWU team

By OBAKENG MAJE

25 September 2024- The North West University’s soccer team, the Eagles, will face the University of Western Cape (UWC) in the Varsity Cup final on 26 September 2024. This comes after the Eagles got their revenge and thumped UFS to secure a home final.

NWU delivered a commanding performance, defeating UFS 4-0 at the NWU Mafikeng Stadium to book their place in the Varsity Football final. The result was a reversal of fortunes after UFS had beaten NWU in the group stages.

This time, the home side dominated from the outset, leaving UFS with little chance of repeating their previous success. Although the opening 10 minutes did not produce any goals, NWU was clearly on top, dictating play and putting pressure on the UFS defense.

The breakthrough finally came in the 26th minute when Reatlegile Kgosithebe rose high to meet a cross from the right flank, heading the ball into the back of the net to put NWU ahead.

Despite UFS’s efforts to respond, NWU continued to press, and the first half ended with the score still 1-0 in favour of the hosts. The second half saw NWU continue to impose their will on the game.

In the 52nd minute, Lucky Letwaba doubled NWU’s lead with a stunning free kick. The set piece was awarded after a tough challenge by a UFS defender on an NWU player, and Letwaba made no mistake, curling the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

UFS tried to find a way back into the game, but NWU’s defense remained solid, with the goalkeeper making several crucial saves to keep the clean sheet intact. As the game progressed, NWU piled on more pressure, and in the 84th minute, Xolani Masethi added a third goal with a powerful volley from the left flank, leaving the UFS goalkeeper with no chance.

To cap off an excellent team performance, Molemo Kukama scored NWU’s fourth goal in the 90th minute, finishing off a swift counter attack. The final whistle confirmed NWU’s 4-0 victory and their place in the Varsity Football final.

Meanwhile, UWC travelled to Pretoria and beat log leaders, Tuks for the second time in the tournament. The 2015 Varsity Football winners, UWC was the first side to march to this year’s final after defeating the three-time champions Tuks 1-0.  

As anticipated, the encounter did not spare any drama and action as both sides started high spirited. Tuks enjoyed much of the possession in the opening exchanges.

UWC looked dangerous on the counter attack and immediately capitalized on their chances in a cheeky piece of play from their playmaker, Relebohile Matima who made no mistake and slotted the ball in a far upright to put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes. 

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