Monthly Archives: January 2025

Lesotho national sentenced to five years imprisonment for robbery

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By OBAKENG MAJE

29 January 2025- A Lesotho national was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane for robbery. Bereng Lesuoa (25) threatened four men and robbed them of their cash and two cell phones at Luka village, near Phokeng in the early hours of Saturday morning, 1 April 2023.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Lesuoa was arrested a year later and made first appearance in court on 4 April 2024. Mokgwabone said he was convicted after several court appearances and sentenced to five years direct imprisonment.

“Lesuoa was further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting Bojanala Sub-District 2 Commissioner, Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae, welcomed the sentence, which she said will serve as a deterrence to potential criminals. Ntoagae also thanked the Investigating Officer, D/Sergeant Tshepang Badirwang and prosecution for a job well done.

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North West High Court to deliver verdict on Mohokare’s murder case

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Picture: The deceased person, Iris Mohokare

By OBAKENG MAJE

28 January 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Tuesday expressed hope that the conclusion of the Iris Mohokare (47) murder trial will bring much needed closure for the family when the verdict is delivered on Friday. The MRM said the respected healthcare worker was murdered in Ipelegeng Township, outside Schweizer Reneke in 2022.

Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said that the case which resumed on Monday this week in the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp, represents a protracted and unwarranted delay that has undermined the efficiency of the criminal justice system. Kgwele said Bongane Gregory Shebi (27), was apprehended three days after he was reportedly seen walking near the crime scene in blood-stained clothing on the day Mohokare’s body was discovered in October 2022.

 “Though a speedy conviction in the gruesome and callous murder would have send an unequivocal message that there is no place in our society for heartless murderers, any further delay and failure to secure a conviction would be nothing but a travesty of justice.

“The life of the highly committed public servant was cut short by her senseless killing and communities robbed of a community builder as well as committed healthcare worker that served with utmost dedication throughout her nursing career,” he said.

Kgwele further said Mohokare’s illustrious career was defined by Ubuntu, humility and excellence that is still uncommon. He added that her landlord lost not only a tenant, but an adopted daughter while the community lost the jewel that represented their hope for service delivery distinction after her recent promotion to Facility Manager at Charon Clinic,” said Kgwele.

He decried that delays in finalising ghastly cases of this nature including the Senzo Meyiwa are sending undesirable message that, criminals can get away with murder. Kgwele said the family of the victim, colleagues, as well as her loved ones and the community have had to deal with unbearable pain and worst trauma over the past decade and three years while the perpetrator hoped to evade justice.

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Police urge motorists to apply safety measures

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Picture: Motorist hijacked/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

28 January 2025- The police in the Northern Cape said they have noted with concern isolated incidents and social media trends involving motorists becoming victims of crime in and around traffic intersections, hence requesting the public to adhere and implement the safety measures as a matter of ensuring motorists’ safety.

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are in good condition when planning to go on a journey. Sam said They should also ensure that the fuel tank of their vehicle always has sufficient fuel.

“Always lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows closed. Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute. Avoid stopping at remote places and park your vehicle in a place that is well lit.

“If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide –only 5cm is enough to have a discussion. If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather drive away,” he said.

Sam further said motorists should limit their trips at night or at least take someone along with them. He added that they should vary the route they travel to work and back, if this is possible.

“If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention. If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past.

“If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station. Car hijackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car. If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help,” said Sam.

He said the motorists should not reach for their purses or valuables. Sam said they should leave everything behind, if they are forced out of their cars.

“Your life is more valuable than your possessions. Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon. Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away. A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

“Do not give strangers a lift. A gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device. If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage,” he said.

Sam said motorists should not open their garage doors before their gates are closed. He said victims need to immediately report any criminality to the nearest police station or through the police Crime Stop number, 08600 10111or the MySAPS App.

“All received information will be treated confidentially” said Sam.

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DA calls on Ramaphosa to address the nation amid SANDF soldiers alleged capture in DRC

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Video: SANDF soldier allegedly raising a white flag to surrender to M23 rebels 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

28 January 2025- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said it has noted with concern the widespread misleading claims, suggesting that the SANDF soldiers have surrendered to M23 rebels. The SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini said they wish to set the record straight that, the footage in question, depicts a white flag raise, which is an outcome of discussions between the opposing fighting forces to agree on a truce to allow M23 rebels to recover their dead and injured in the vicinity of their base.

“This will also open the route for our troops to access the medical facilities. This is common practice in any war. Let the public not be alarmed by the video clip and its meaning.

“The SANDF remains fully committed to its peacekeeping responsibilities under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC),” said Dlamini.

He further said their troops continue to operate with resolve, courage and discipline in pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) said, South Africans awoke this morning to disturbing footage of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers raising a makeshift white flag to the M23 Rebels, Hattingh said the unconfirmed reports this morning indicate that troops have been captured, after being surrounded by M23 rebels yesterday following heavy fighting.

“This includes alarming accounts of four more South African fatalities, with numerous others wounded. M23 rebels now control the airspace and make evacuation efforts perilous. We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation immediately.

“Since the recent deaths of yet more troops, SANDF Commander in Chief, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has yet to address the nation to provide comfort to families grieving and assure South Africans of the safety of our Defence Force,” he said.

Hattingh further said with the conflict now before the UN Security Council, Ramaphosa has also entered South Africa into a diplomatic crisis. He added that Ramaphosa has failed to provide leadership in an operation he authorised.

“Instead, more bodies are returning home and more taxpayer funds are gone. The deafening silence from the President and Minister of Defence & Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, shows a lack of compassion and deliberate withholding of information.

“The President’s tenure as CiC has only seen the rapid decline of our nation’s defence capabilities. The DA wishes to honour and commend the unwavering courage and dedication of our soldiers, who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and the indomitable spirit for which South African troops are renowned, despite the lack of essential support,” said Hattingh.

He said they express their profound condolences to the families of those lost, in a tragedy that never should have occurred.

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Setopo sa mosimanyana se ntshitswe kwa nokeng  

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Setshwantsho-papiso: Setopo sa mosimanyana se ntshitswe kwa nokeng

Ka REGINALD KANYANE

28 Ferikgong 2025- Setopo sa mosimanyana wa dingwaga di le 15, se ntshitswe kwa nokeng ya Vaal gaufi le toropo wa Christiana mo letsatsing la maabane. Se se tla morago ga gore mosimanyana o, a nwele ka letsatsi la Tshipi. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, moswi ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe di le pedi, ba ne ba thuma kwa nokeng eo, ka motsi wa tiragalo. Mokgwabone are, go lebega fa mosimanyana o, a ne a go thuma kwa lefelong le le boteng fa a ka nwela.

“Go ile ga bidiwa sepodisi se se thumang, mme setopo sene sa bonwa mo letsatsing la maabane. Ga gona letsogo la tshwene le le belaelwang mo losong le,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

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Kgetsi ya polao ya kwa Motlhako 2 e boela kgotlhatsekelo

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Setshwantsho: Balatofadiwa ba polao, Phemelo Maine le Onkemetse Phatlhanyane/Morongwa News

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

28 Ferikgong 2025- Kgetsi kgatlhanong le banna ba le babedi ba kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Pudimoe, e tla boela kgotlha-tshekelo mo letsatsing la gompieno. Go begwa fa Phemelo Maine (40), a ipone molato mo ditatofatsong tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene, fa molatofadiwa-naye, Onkemetse Phatlhanyane (27), ene a ka tswelela ka kopo ya beile.

Lekgotlha la bosekisi la National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), le tlhaloseditse kgotlha-tshekelo fa le tlile go tlaleletsa ditatofatso kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa. Bosekisi jwa re bo tlile go tlaleletsa ka kgetsi ya go thopa ka dikgoka.

Maine le Phatlhanyane ba latofadiwa ka go bolaya Boingotlo Makaota (16). Go begwa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa nageng kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, mo dibekeng tse di fetileng.

Go ya ka moagisani, one a utlwa segajaja sa lekgarebe mo bosigong jwa Labone kwa ntlung ya ga Maine. Go begwa fa moagisani o, gape a tlhalositse fa a ne a bona Maine ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe ba kgorometsa kereibaye e go bontshang fa ene e pegile sengwe mo teng mo mosong wa Labotlhano.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Sepodisi se ile sa tswa letsholo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go epololweng ga setopo sa ga Makaota.

“Go begwa fa setopo seo, sene se thatilwe ka kobo, mme moswi one a supiwa ke ba lelapa la gagwe. Dipatlisiso di shupa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se ne se na le dintho mo tlhogong, mo diropeng ga mmogo le mo maotong.”

Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso di ile tsa bolodiwa kwa lelapeng la ga Maine, mme diaparo tsa moswi di ile tsa fitlhelwa teng. Mokgwabone are, Maine o tshwerwe ka Lamatlhatso morago ga go ineele kwa sepodising.

“Monna o, o ile a isiwa kwa sepodisi ke morwa rragwe, mme one a tshwarwa. Sepodisi se ile sa botsolotsa Phatlhanyane o bonweng a tsamaya le Maine fa a ne a kgorometsa kereibaye, mme le ene o ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Mokomishinara wa Sepodisi wa nama o sa tshwere mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e. Asaneng are polao eo ya go tlhorontshiwa ga bong e kabo e efogilwe fa baagi ba ne ba le malala-a-laotswe.

Kgabagare, mongwe wa leloko la lelapa la kwa ga Makaota, Lesley Sirwe are: “Re ne re tlile kgotlha-tshekelo gompieno, go tla go itseela ka tsebe. Fela se ke se lemogileng kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ke gore, balatofadiwa ga ba tlotle le kgotlha-tshekelo, mme ba botsha ba tletse lenyatso.

“Re sentse re ikuela gore tshiamiso e diragale. Dikakanyo tse ke tla di neelang baagi ba motse wa rona wa Matlhako 2 ke gore, are tsweleleng ka letsema la go lwa kgatlhanong le dipolao tse di kana-kana kgatlhanong le bo mme le bana.”

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G20 Summit an important business event

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Picture: Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille

By OBAKENG MAJE

28January 2025- The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille said she is thrilled that the Meetings Africa has reached its 19th edition. De Lille said over the past 19 years, this platform has played a pivotal role in transforming and advancing the African business events industry.

She further said the G20 Summit is an important business event to be hosted in South Africa. De Lille added that this year is truly a special one for not only the South African business events sector but the rest of the African continent too.

“South Africa has assumed the Presidency of the 2025 G20 Summit, following Brazil in 2024 and preceding the United States in 2026. This landmark event being hosted on the African continent for the first time will bring over 40 global heads of state to our shores with over 130 meetings hosted in South Africa during 2025.

“This will solidify South Africa’s standing as a premier tourism and business events destination. With G20 nations representing 85% of the global economy, 75% of international trade, and 67% of the world’s population, the summit promises significant benefits for our business events and broader tourism sectors,” she said.

De Lille said as the only African member country of the G20, South Africa offers a vital voice on global discussions, particularly on issues affecting developing nations and the African continent. She said the G20 Summit and Ministerial Meetings will be held under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

“It also allows South Africa to showcase its capacity to host safe and successful global events, further boosting our country’s international reputation – an opportunity we openly welcome.

“We are excited to host the Tourism Minister’s G20 meeting in Mpumalanga in September this year which will include a Tourism Investment Conference to showcase tourism investment opportunities to a global audience,” said De Lille.

She said Meetings Africa value and benefit Meetings Africa 2025 aims to continue to spotlight Africa’s diverse destinations and unique offerings for business events by unlocking Africa’s Opportunities Through Quality Connections. De Lille said key features at this year’s Meetings Africa, will include promoting the continent’s diversity through the new entrants of exhibitors, which make it an attractive choice for business events buyers looking for a diversity of products from our African continent.

“Equally, Meetings Africa 2025 will bring together industry leaders, local stakeholders, international buyers, event planners, suppliers, and policymakers, facilitating collaboration within the MICE sector.

“The event serves as a platform for business deals, knowledge sharing, and cross-sector partnerships, with a strong emphasis on enabling meaningful networking opportunities to support industry growth,” she said.

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More than 800 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

28 January 2025- More than 800 suspects were arrested during the High Density Operation Shanela. The weekly multi-disciplinary operation which commenced on 20 until 26 January 2025, focused on the enhancement of crime reduction and combatting within the North West.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the police actions executed during the operations include vehicle check points (VCPs), stops and searches. Myburgh said this includes foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.

“The prevention of drugs and other commodities smuggling were also prioritized. During the VCPs and roadblocks conducted across the province, a total of 1052 vehicles and 3174 persons were stopped and searched.

“As a result of these operations, among others, 104 suspects were arrested for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 17 for murder and attempted murder, 11 for rape, 85 for contravention of the Immigration Act, 32 for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 36 for possession of drugs and 14 for illegal dealing in liquor,” she said.

Myburgh further said in the concerted efforts to eradicate the proliferation of firearms, seven firearms that included five handguns and two rifles were confiscated and five persons were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. She added that a variety of drugs, nine cellular phones and tobacco products were also seized by police.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, expressed his gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for their endeavours in ensuring that crime is prevented throughout the province.

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More than 186 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: Some of the items seized by the police

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

28 January 2025- More than 186 suspects arrested during Operation Shanela, that is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation which commenced on 20 until 26 January 2025.

The suspects were arrested for various crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as undocumented illegal immigrants and wanted persons.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, Sergio Kock said Operation Shanela focuses on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspot areas. Kock said in total, 9900 actions and police activities were executed, which included vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling.

“Numerous vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks, were conducted across the province

during which 1929 vehicles and 4623 persons were stopped and searched. Various compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security companies, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were executed.

“Random schools were also visited with Safer Schools representatives of both the Education Department and South African Police Service (SAPS) as part of the disruptive actions,” he said.

Kock further said the police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs, non-ferrous metal items and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, indicated that the success of Operation Shanela in the province is as a result of stakeholder collaboration. Otola said the robust involvement of the community and all other relevant role players in crime fighting endeavours is pivotal in dismantling criminal activities, thus ensuring that no one is left behind.

“We invite the public to rate the police efforts in fighting contact crimes by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE online survey to assist the police in improving services,” she said.

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Torching of PUTCO buses is economic sabotage

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Picture: PUTCO buses torched/Google

By REGINALD KANYANE

28 January 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Transport said it has noted with concern media reports on Tuesday that 47 Putco buses were torched the previous evening and into the night. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Donald Selamolela said this was a senseless act, as it destroyed services that people need to link up with economic opportunities.

“Vandalism has cost the transport sector dearly and it is condemned with the seriousness it deserves. In this time and age, when we are talking about broadening all forms of transportation including aviation, it is shocking that there are people who still think they could burn buses.

“It is a sad day in South Africa. Our rail transportation is challenged throughout the country, but the government is working hard to have trains back on rails, yet we are experiencing this kind of uncouthness,” said Selamolela.

He further said the media reported on Tuesday that 47 Putco buses had been torched at various depots in Mpumalanga. Selamolela added that, however, this number has since been revised upwards to 50.

“This was an act of economic sabotage and we call on Putco Bus Company to investigate to determine who is behind this heinous crime against all South Africans. The committee will always advocate for the peaceful resolution of challenges and disputes.

“We continue to be committed to affordable, safe and efficient public transport. Law enforcement must leave no stone unturned in arresting and bringing to justice whoever is behind this mess,” he said.

Selamolela said this is an economic crime and the worst form of sabotage that should never be tolerated, whatever the cause was.

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