Picture: Three Upington Public Order Police promoted/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
5 December 2024- The Northern Cape Police, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection and Acting DPC for Policing, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, honoured the recently promoted members by conferring their new ranks.
The members from Upington Public Order Police were promoted to the ranks of Colonel, Captain, and Warrant Officer in different districts within the province.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said: “During her address, Otola reiterated on discipline, command, and control. She congratulated the members and wished them well in their new roles.”
5 December 2024- The deputy principal (63), from Kgwenyape Primary School in Brits granted R5000 bail. The accused who briefly appeared at the Brits Magistrates Court on 2 December 2024, is facing charges of sexual grooming, sexual assault and statutory rape of a girl learner (12) at the school.
It is alleged that, the accused took the minor child to the bushes near Majakaneng village, where he proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her. This comes after the accused allegedly kissed the victim in 2023, and began to send her nude pictures.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said, after seeing the messages, the victim’s friend informed her mother and the school teacher, who requested them to bring their phones to school for observation.
Mahanjana further said the mother of the victim was informed of the incident by the school and a case was opened against the accused on 23 November 2024. She added that the accused was arrested on 25 November 2024, after he handed himself over to the Brits Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences offices.
“In court during his bail application, the accused, through his legal representative, asked the court to grant him bail because he is a first offender, who is married with children. He added that he was employed as an educator and needed to pay his bond.
“However, the state prosecutor Octavia Pletschke opposed bail, saying that the accused is charged with serious offences, which may result in a lengthy term of imprisonment if found guilty, which might make him evade his trial,” said Mahanjana.
Furthermore, Pletschke said that the accused had already threatened and intimidated the victim, her mother and the witness. She said, therefore, he will interfere with the witnesses and investigations, if granted bail.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Rosenburg said that the setting of the high bail amount and very strict conditions will ensure that the accused stands trial and that he does not interfere further with the victim or witnesses. He added that it is in the interest of justice for the accused to be granted bail, therefore, bail was granted of R5000.
“The bail conditions are that the accused reports daily to the Hartbeespoortdam SAPS, he may not have any direct or indirect contact with the victim or witnesses and that he should surrender his passport to the investigating officer,” he said.
5 December 2024- Two suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. The arrest was a collaborative effort by Mahikeng Visible Policing members, including reservists and Community Police Forum (CPF).
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the police were performing safer festive season operation patrol duties on 29 November 2024, when they spotted two suspicious men on Station road, Mahikeng. Myburgh said the pair ran away when the team approached them, but were apprehended.
“On searching the duo, a 9mm Glock Pistol loaded with five ammunition was found inside one of the men’s bags. They failed to give account for the possession and were both taken to the police station for questioning.
“Subsequent to the circulation of the firearm, it showed that it (the firearm) belongs to one of the two security officers who were found dead, near Danville, Mahikeng on 17 November 2024,” she said.
Myburgh further said following investigation that was continued at the pair’s rented rooms in town, six ammunition and a holster were found. She added that, both men who previously worked with the murdered security officers, were placed under arrest.
“The accused, Zithembe Zondi (27) and Sthembiso Zondi (43), briefly appeared before the Molopo Regional Court in Mmabatho on 2 December 2024. They remained in custody and investigation into the matter continues,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the police for their vigilance and cooperation, which led to the arrest and recoveries. Kwena said the success came due to excellent police community relations and the reservists, who displayed the will to serve the communities.
5 December 2024- The police in Klerksdorp request community assistance in locating a missing teenager, Catharina Booysens (16), who is residing in Aldred Street in Freemanville, Klerksdorp. According to the North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh, Booysens was last seen by her foster parents on 11 November 2024.
Myburgh said a search was conducted around Klerksdorp and all leads were followed-up, but that did not yield positive results.
“At this stage, no one knows what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance. She is light in complexion with a slender built body, grey eyes, a dimple on her chin, and brown hair that is cut into a bob hair style.
“Anyone who may have information regarding her whereabouts is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Tiny Tshiba on 082 568 6909 or 060 967 3965,” she said.
Myburgh further said those who have information can also call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. She added that anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS App from a smartphone.
5 December 2024- A corruption case against Botswana policeman, Mompoloki Okocha Boitshoko (42), has been postponed to 7 February 2025, by the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court today for further investigations.
Boitshoko was arrested for alleged corruption by the members of the Mahikeng-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mahikeng on 25 November 2024. It was reported that, the officials from the SARS’ Syndicated Tax and Customs Crime Division, received a tip-off on 15 November 2024, that a truck will be entering the Skilpadshek Border Post from Namibia with illicit cigarettes.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the truck arrived at the border post, and the driver indicated to the officials that he had no cargo to declare. Gunya said upon inspection, the officials allegedly found 288 master cases containing Remington Gold Blue cigarettes packed inside a trailer.
“The cigarettes with an estimated value of over R1 million were found to be illicit. Consequently, the driver was apprehended for contravention of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. The truck, cigarettes, and trailers were seized.
“On 20 November 2024, a SARS official was reportedly contacted by an unknown man, who offered to pay R100 000 for the release of the truck. An entrapment was set, which resulted in the arrest of a Botswana national after he had paid R104 400, 00 to the SARS official,” he said.
Gunya further said the accused appeared in court and was granted R20 000 bail.
Meanwhile, acting North West Hawks Head, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, has welcomed the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused. Munzhedzi commended collaboration between DPCI and SARS in ensuring that the accused faces full might of the law.
5 December 2024- A Zimbabwean man (34), believed to be a serial rapist, has been arrested by the police at his residential area in Ikageng Extension in Klipgat, near Brits on 2 December 2024. This comes after being linked to the rape of three young girls, aged 12.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh, the police arrested the accused after one of the victims’ mother found her daughter at the man’s place on Sunday evening, 1 December 2024. Myburgh said the girl later told her mother that the accused raped her.
“The mother immediately reported the matter to the police. It is further alleged that this demeanour has been going on since January 2024. The victim was part of a group of girls that were allegedly lured to the accused’s house, where he would pay them money to rape them and the incidents were never reported.
“The suspect, who is illegal in the country, was arrested and the possibility of linking him to multiple cases of the same nature cannot be ruled out. He was arrested by the Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in the North West,” she said.
Myburgh further said the accused appeared before the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on 4 December 2024, and was remanded in custody until 20 January 2025.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the investigating officer for his diligence and working around the clock to arrest the suspect during the 16 Days of activism campaign for No Violence Against Women and Children.
Kwena said the police will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are brought to book and face the full might of the law.
Picture: Dr Patience Kovane from North West University/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
5 December 2024- The North West University (NWU) said rural women are too often forgotten and relegated to an afterthought regarding mental health. The university said their plight unheard, their future uncertain.
Dr Patience Kovane from the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) research focus area in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the NWU, has made it her mission to promote the mental health of these often-overlooked women. Kovane said women in South Africa’s low- and middle-income communities suffer from perinatal mental health issues.
“The university is putting their needs in the spotlight. Perinatal mental health issues are emotional or mental struggles that mothers may face during pregnancy or after childbirth, such as depression, anxiety or stress.
“These challenges can affect the mother’s well-being, the baby’s development and the family’s stability. Addressing these issues is vital to ensure healthier moms, stronger babies and supportive families,’ she said.
Kovane further said many women are unaware that they have a mental illness because people usually brush it off as perinatal blues. She added that it is important to recognise and assess mental health illness in the perinatal period at an early stage.
“I focus on perinatal mental health, which is the mental health of women from the onset of pregnancy until one-year post birth. My aim is to conduct cutting-edge research and contribute to the body of knowledge that advances evidence-based practices that will further help to address perinatal mental health issues.
“This will positively contribute to happy mothers and healthy infants in these communities. According to research, one in five women experiences mental health illness during the perinatal period,” said Kovane.
She said in South Africa, perinatal mental health issues like depression and anxiety affect many women due to social, economic and cultural challenges. Kovane said poverty, limited healthcare access and stigma worsen the problem, impacting mothers, babies, and families.
“Addressing these issues is crucial to improve maternal well-being and child development across communities. Globally, perinatal women face significant psychological challenges, often exacerbated by disparities in healthcare access, socioeconomic factors and cultural influences.
“In low- and middle-income countries, these challenges are particularly severe, especially following pregnancy loss, where support systems are often lacking. I am proposing a PhD study to develop and validate psycho-educational guidelines aimed at supporting perinatal women who experience pregnancy loss (miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death) in the North West region,” she said.
Kovane said many women in this situation receive little to no support from the healthcare system. She said in addition, this project seeks to raise awareness among midwives, enabling them to assess, prevent, and recognise mental health issues during the perinatal period at an early stage.
“Through capacity-building workshops, the project aims to educate both midwives and perinatal women on mental wellness.
“This initiative has the potential to strengthen health systems by equipping healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to integrate perinatal mental healthcare into routine antenatal visits” said Kovane.
She said ultimately, the project seeks to improve the quality of care and support for women during this critical period. Kovane said no longer forgotten, no longer an afterthought.
5 December 2024- Refilwe Seabelo (35), who is employed by SG Ntuane Primary School at Tlhatlhaganyane village as an Administration Clerk, briefly appeared before the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court yesterday, facing charges of theft and fraud amounting to R177 000.
It is alleged that, in 2020, the School Governing Body (SGB), discovered suspicious transactions from two school bank accounts.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), The matter was reported to the Klerksdorp-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. The investigation revealed that an amount of R177 000, was transferred from the school’s bank accounts to Seabelo’s personal bank account.
“The funds were used for her own personal gain. Seabelo was reportedly one of the signatories in the school’s bank accounts. She was subsequently arrested on 3 December 2024, on charges of fraud and theft.
Seabelo briefly appeared in court and was released on R5000 bail. The matter was postponed to 7 February 2025, for appearance at Specialised Commercial Crime Court.”
5 December 2024- The Vaalkop Dam from which Magalies Water abstract raw water for potable usage has regrettably reached critically low levels of about 23% of available raw water for abstraction. The current situation is allegedly exacerbated by below average rainfall patterns during this time of the year.
The Magalies Water spokesperson, David Magae said, persistent heatwave in the region and deterioration of raw water quality in the catchment due to pollution has also impacted Magalies Water’s ability to produce requisite water volumes for potable use by bulk customers.
Magae said at this stage, the raw water pumps have not been able to abstract much needed raw water volumes for treatment purposes, as a result of the low dam level. He further said if abstraction volumes are not reduced, this can result in the complete damage of the pumps, which are designed to operate optimally in different conditions.
“In order to prevent damage to the pumps, Magalies Water with immediate effect will reduce abstraction by 30%, while monitoring the dam level, and further reductions in abstraction volumes from the dam water will be implemented if the situation continues without much change, in an attempt to prevent raw water unavailability.
“The bulk customers such as Rustenburg Local Municipality, Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Royal Bafokeng Administration and mines operating in the above municipal areas,” said Magae.
He added that, Rand Water supplied areas from the scheme. Magae said the department of Water and Sanitation has been informed of the current challenges, in order to develop urgent interventions, which will ameliorate the situation at hand.
“Magalies Water urges customers to use the water sparingly during this period, and further apologizes for the inconvenience that this development has caused,” he said.
5 December 2024- The Johannesburg High Court postponed the case against Frans Hlakudi and 11 of his co-accused, was postponed to 5 March 2025 for pre-trial. Meanwhile, the Sterkfontein hospital declared Antonio Trindade unfit to stand trial after he underwent a medical assessment to determine his fitness to stand trial.
The Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Trindade’s matter was subsequently separated and he will be back in court on 8 May 2025, for further medical re-assessment. Mamothame said Michael Lomas was also joined with the other accused following his extradition from the United Kingdom.
“Hlakudi, who was a manager at Eskom at the time of the alleged offence together with his co-accused, is facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering, following his alleged direct involvement in the R1,4 billion meant for the upgrade of Kusile power station in Mpumalanga, between 2014 and 2017.
“Lomas will remain in custody, while the other accused are out on bail,” he said.
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