Picture: Initiates during mass pass out ceremony/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
1 January 2025- The Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will this coming weekend oversee the mass initiation pass out ceremony for initiates from 35 initiation schools, including female initiation in nine villages of Batlhaping Baga Maidi led by Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane.
The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) through the PICC, has been mandated in terms of Customary Initiation Act (CIA) No.2 of 2021 to coordinate all initiation schools, practices and activities within the province.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi spokesperson, Learto Gambu said, last year, marked the customary initiation year for communities of Batlhaping Baga Maidi villages.
“All initiates will assemble at the Tribal Kgotla during the pass out ceremony and it is expected that Motlhabane will address and give them a regiment name in accordance with the customs and tradition.
“The mass initiation pass out ceremony will commence at the Batlhaping Baga Maidi Traditional Council Offices in Manthe village, near Taung at 5:15am.
“The initiates will assemble near Manthe main road before a procession to Kgotla. At 6am, the mass initiation pass out ceremony programme will commence at Kgotla,” said Gambu.
2 January 2025- Section 6 (2) of the constitution mandates the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation to put mechanisms in place to develop previously marginalized languages (Act 108 of 1996). The use of the official language Act, Act No. 12 of 2012 gives effect to the implementation of language policies, structures, and plans.
The Pan South African Language Board Act (Act 59 of 1995) provides for the promotion of multilingualism. North West Provincial Languages Act 1 of 2015, determines the provincial official languages of Bokone Bophirima regulates and provides for the languages by all organs of the state.
The department said it promotes multilingualism, redresses past linguistic imbalances, and develops the previously marginalized languages by facilitating equitable access to government services, knowledge, and information. It says it will continue to elevate the status and advance the use of South African Sign Language in the province.
“Encouraging the learning and use of other official Indigenous languages to promote national unity and linguistic and cultural diversity. Facilitate the formulation and implementation of provincial language policy and internal language policy of the Arts, Culture, Sport, and Recreation department. “Liaise with and advise various government departments, municipal authorities, and public entities on the equitable use of official languages in the province. Conduct advocacy campaigns on the promotion of multilingualism.”
The department said it also facilitates the establishment of the North West Provincial Language Council. It said this includes facilitating measures for the development of indigenous languages.
“Facilitate the establishment of language units in all government departments. Ensure that people receive information in the language of their choice by translating and editing documents from the source language to the targeted languages used in the province.
“Identify and coin terminology for various fields where there is a lack of terminology. Development and promotion of indigenous literature. Develop awareness programmes on South African Sign Language,” it said.
The department said it will continue to facilitate the development of systems to ensure access to information by deaf people. It said it liaises with stakeholders in terms of promotion and development of South African Sign Language.
“Facilitate the expansion of pool SASL literate employees in all government departments and municipalities. To provide SASL interpreting services, develop emerging interpreters and raise awareness about South African Sign Language interpreters.
“To advise the MEC on any language related matter in the province. Monitor the implementation of the use of official language act 12 of 2012 (UOLA) and the North West Provincial Languages Act of 2015 (NWPLA).”
Meanwhile, the department said the North West Publishing House preserves and promotes indigenous literary heritage. This includes encouraging a culture of reading and writing in all communities.
“To encourage publications of books from a broad variety of subjects in Indigenous languages. To promote the rights of and prevent the exploitation of emerging writers.
“To assist writers to become self-sustainable in marketing and selling their books and to implement skills development programs for the writers.”
The department is working with strategic partners such as Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and its structure. This includes North West Institute of Higher Learning, Provincial Legislature (Hansard Section), municipalities, all government departments, library and archive services, language activists across the province, community based organisations, deaf communities, deaf organisations, dead federation of south Africa (DeafSA) North West, South African National Deaf Association (SANDA) North West, Heritage and Museum Services, North West Communities and publishers.
South African Sign Language (SASL)
South African Sign Language is a language in its own right. It has its own grammatical structures, SASL can be used in every setting and represents cultural identity by deaf people.
Finger spelling
Alphabet chart aims to use a one-handed alphabet method of spelling words using hand movements. Deaf awareness and equitable treatment of South African Sign Language) SASL.
Aims to create awareness among deaf culture. Deafness, status of SASL, SASL, interpreting service. Deaf education and deaf rights. It also fosters parents of deaf children to learn SASL in order to be able to communicate with their deaf children. Language service: (018) 388-2822/25/28/3067
Picture: A video of teenagers jumping on a police vehicle
By REGINALD KANYANE
2 January 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in North West said it noted with concern a video circulating on social media platforms, wherein teenagers can be seen jumping on a police vehicle in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the incident was reported on Christmas Day, 25 December 2024, when members in a police vehicle were busy with routine patrols during day shift. Myburgh said when the vehicle drove past a tavern, teenagers jumped on and off the vehicle.
“No persons were injured and the state vehicle was not damaged,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, expressed his concern about the incident and warned that such acts can lead to criminal charges such as malicious damage to property or obstructing/hindering the police in their duties or causing serious injuries.
2 January 2025– The police have launched a manhunt following a Cash-in-Transit heist that occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, 31 December 2024. It is alleged that a Cash-in-Transit van with two security officers inside, was travelling from Moruleng village to Mogwase at around 6pm, when the incident occurred.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said along the way at Letsheng Section just before the van could go over a speed hump, it was allegedly blocked by a Mercedes Benz sedan that came from the side road. Tselanyane said according to information, a number of heavily armed suspects emerged and started firing shots at the escort vehicle that came to a halt not far from the scene.
“The crew managed to flee unharmed. Another BMW vehicle blocked the road for other road users. The two security officers inside the cash van were forced out at gunpoint and robbed of their firearms.
“An unconfirmed number of suspects used explosives to blow up the cash van and took an undisclosed amount of cash. Moreover, the Mercedes Benz and the cash van caught fire as a result of explosives and the suspects fled from the scene driving in three vehicles that included a BMW, a white Toyota Fortuner and a white Ford Ranger double cab bakkie,” he said.
Tselanyane further said no one sustained injuries during the incident. He added that the suspects are unknown and still at large.
2 January 2025- The police in North West said they have arrested the fifth escapee, Thapelo William Molebatsi (25) at abandoned farm houses in Swartruggens on 30 December 2024. The police said they have received a tip-off following the request for public assistance in locating Molebatsi, who is also known as Makwete.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said Molebatsi was the only outstanding escapee. Myburgh said the police received a tip-off regarding Molebatsi’s whereabouts and the information was operationalised by the Swartruggens Detectives and Visible Policing members on 31 December 2024.
“Molebatsi escaped with four others from the Swartruggens Police Holding Cells on 8 December 2024. He is expected to appear in Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on a charge of escape from lawful custody on 2 January 2025,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, applauded the police, as well as all other role players for their diligence in ensuring that all four suspects were re-arrested and brought to book.
2 January 2025- Two lifeless bodies were found in the veld at Lotwane Section in Ramokokastadt. The gruesome discovery was reported to the police in Mogwase on 30 December 2024, at around 7am.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselenyane said it is alleged that members of the community were walking past that area when they saw man and woman bodies. Tselanyane said the female body, Kefilwe Mosane (26), was found lying naked next to a footpath in the veld with lacerated stab wounds on her neck.
“Mosane’s clothes and underwear were hidden about 30 metres deeper into the bush. Furthermore, about 20 metres from her body, was the body of a man, Khumo Moatshe (38), hanging from a tree with a rope around his neck.
“The preliminary police investigations revealed that the two were allegedly living together, but the woman had allegedly moved out due to domestic violence the previous week,” he said.
Tselanyane further said it was also confirmed that on the night of the murder and suicide incident, the murder suspect had phoned the victim to come and collect one of their children, who was crying relentlessly and in need of her mother. He added that Mosane responded to that call and that was the last time she was seen alive.
“The police investigations continue,” said Tselanyane.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, condemned this domestic violence incident in the strongest possible terms. Asaneng urged members of the community to seek professional help on how best to deal with this societal problem, rather than resorting to violence.
“We also extended our deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.
Picture: The items allegedly found in possession of the suspects/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
2 January 2025- Two suspects aged 34, were arrested for allegedly being in possession of suspected stolen property and ammunition in Vryburg on 1 January 2025. The arrests of the suspects stem from the vigilance of Community in Blue patrollers.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said it is alleged that on 31 December 2024 at around 2:20pm, while members were busy with their routine patrols in the Central Business District (CBD), they came across two suspicious looking men at the corner De Kock and Market Streets in Vryburg.
“One of the suspects was carrying a school bag and patrollers searched through it. Upon searching the bag, different bank cards, identity documents, four Point of Sale (PoF) machines, cellular phones, one 9mm ammunition and a toy gun were found.
“As a result, police were called to the scene and after the suspects could not give satisfactory explanation of where they got the property. They were both arrested and are expected to appear before the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on 2 January 2025,” said Tselanyane.
He further said the suspects are facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property and possession of ammunition. Tselanyane added that investigation into the matter continues.
The Guardian 