4 February 2025- A 58-YEAR-OLD man was arrested by the members of Mahikeng Public Order Police (POP) for possession of suspected stolen livestock on Friday. The police were on routine patrol duties along the N18 (Vryburg / Mahikeng) road when they noticed a white Toyota Hilux bakkie with a canopy near a filling station in Montshioastad.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said ultimately, the police stopped the vehicle for a search that led to the discovery of 18 goats. Mokgwabone said the driver, who was alone in the car, was arrested after failing to give a proper account of the goats worth R27 000.
“Tshokolo Kolobe was remanded in custody upon appearance before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on 3 February 2025. Kolobe is due to re-appear on 10 February 2025, for bail application. Investigation into the matter continues,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, praised the police for their vigilance, which led to the success.
4 February 2025- A man (41) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Molopo Regional Court for rape. The accused, Thapelo Malekutu raped his ex-girlfriend.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said Malekutu was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for sexual assault, two years imprisonment for assault with Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and two years imprisonment for kidnapping. Gunya said the court ordered that, all sentences should run concurrently with the life sentence for rape in terms of Section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
“The charge stems from a tragic incident that occurred in Verdwaal near Itsoseng. Evidence presented in court revealed that Malekutu is an ex-boyfriend of the victim, who cannot be named to protect her identity.
“It is alleged that on 12 October 2022, the accused went to the home of the victim. Upon his arrival, he forcefully took the victim to his place, while assaulting her until they arrived at the accused place around 7pm, in the evening,” he said.
Gunya further said at his home, he raped the victim multiple times while assaulting her with the panga and fists. He added that, the complainant tried to flee but the accused prevented her until the next day when she was let free or released by the accused.
“The following day, the complainant reported the incident, and the accused was arrested and has been in custody since. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied all charges against him,” said Gunya.
During sentencing, state prosecutor, advocate Oduetse Gwai, argued that the accused raped the complainant numerous times and inflicted injuries on the complainant thus life imprisonment was prescribed by the Act. Gwai emphasized the gravity and prevalence of rape in his arguments for sentencing.
“Malekutu’s actions constituted a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and safety, resulting in brutal violence and lasting trauma,” he said.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ndade Maphango, acknowledged the aggravating circumstances of the case. Maphango ruled that the accused showed no remorse and targeted the vulnerable person being a woman.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the sentence and lauded the prosecutor, investigating officer and other role players who ensured that justice was served to the victims. Makhari said this will serve as a deterrent to the perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in this country.
4 February 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, has called for in-depth investigations into the cause of a fire that broke out at the North West Transport Investment (NTI). The fire, which was discovered in the early hours of Monday morning at a sleeping ground in Moretele village, destroyed nine buses at a go.
Morweng said NTI management have opened a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and further investigations will determine the circumstances around the cause of the fire as well as the extent of the damage. He also expressed dismay at the unfortunate turn of events at the entity.
“We have recently turned a new leaf with our intervention at the entity by addressing the leadership instability experienced for some time now. We have also ensured that employees received their salaries as promised.
“Therefore, we believe that we have made great effort to assist the entity in realising its full potential. This, however, is a set back and overall unfortunate incident,” said Morweng.
He added that, at this point it is unclear whether this was an accident or an act of sabotage, and therefore they make a call to the authorities to deal with the matter decisively. Morweng said the NTI Acting Group CEO, Dr Dikobe and management at the entity has plans in place to limit the impact of services rendered to commuters in and around the Moretele.
“At the same time, the department as a shareholder in the company, will continue to play a supportive role in order to ensure that service delivery is not compromised and that commuters are not left stranded,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Convenor of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in North West, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said: “The MRM expressed concern regarding the blaze. The civil society led movement promoting the Charter of Positive Values (CoPV), suggested that the incident that took place could be an atrocious and despicable act of economic sabotage.
“It cannot be a coincidence that we are losing valuable assets and infrastructure across the province to fires. We therefore call on law enforcement agencies not to leave any stone unturned until those responsible are behind bars.”
Setshwantsho-papiso: Lesea le bonwe le latlhetswe kwa matlakaleng
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
4 Tlhakole 2025- Sepodisi kwa Vryburg se tlhalositse fa se butse kgetsi ya go latlhiwa ga lesea. Se, se tla morago ga gore lesea le eleng gone le bonwang le fitlhelwe le latlhetswe mo matlakaleng kwa mmileng wa Market mo letsatsing la maabane kwa Vryburg.
Sepodisi se bega fa se ne sa amogela mogala go tswa go tlhoka-ina, mme a ba lotlegela fa gona le lesea le le latlhetsweng mo matlakaleng.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are: “Ka maswabi, lesea leo le fitlhetswe le tlhokafetse. Sepodisi se buloditse dipatlisiso go ka leka go batlana le mong wa ditiro tse di maswe tse.”
Kgabagare, ditheo tse eseng tsa puso di ikuela go bomme ba ba sa batleng masea a bone morago ga pelego, go ba isa kwa ditheo tse di farologaneng go na le go ba latlha kgotsa go ba bolaya.
Mokaedi kwa Setheo sa #KeReady Youth Movement, Doctor Sivuyisiwe Jekwa, o boleleletse ba YFM gore, mongwe le mongwe o a ka iphitlhelang a le mo tsietsing ya go bona lesea, mme a sa le batle morago ga pelego, a ka mo isa kwa ditheo tse di farologaneng tsa puso.
“Fa o ka iphitlhela o imile, mme wa lemoga gore ga o batle lesea leo, go mosola go ntsha mpa fa go ima ga gago go sentse go le go sha, kgotsa isa lesea leo kwa ditheo tse di farologaneng tsa puso morago ga pelego.
“Kgang ya masea a latlhiwang mo Afrika Borwa ke tlhoba-boroko. Go begwa fa masea a feta 250 a latlhilwe ngwaga-tlola. Go ya ka Lefapha La Katlatlelo-Loago, ditiragalo tsa go latlhiwa ga masea di etlegetse thata kwa diporofenseng tsa Kwazulu-Natal, Free State, ga mmogo le Western Cape,” Jekwa wa tlhalosa.
Fela go ya ka setheo se se thusang ka go phutha masea a latlhilweng sa Door of Hope Children Mission, se tlhalositse fa masea a feta 3500 a latlhiwa ngwaga le ngwaga mo Afrika Borwa. Setheo se, se tlhalositse fa go lesea lengwe le lengwe le le fitlhelwang le latlhilwe, a le mabedi a ona a fitlhelwa a tlhokafetse.
Go ya ka dipatlisiso go tswa kwa National Library of Medicines, di shupa fa 35% ya makgarebe a imileng a magareng ga dingwaga di le 15 le 19, kwa Sub-Saharan Africa, ba ne ba sa ikemisetsa go ima. Dipatlisiso gape di shupa fa meroba eo, ene e se mo dikamanong tsa marato tse di tsepameng.
Go ya ka dipatlisiso, bontlha-bongwe jwa meroba e, ba feleletsa ba ntshitse dimpa ka mokgwa o o seng mo molaong, fa bontlha-bongwe ba feleletsa ba nnile le masea ao.
4 February 2025- A man (42) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for rape. The convict, Molaodi Michael Manone was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Barkley West Regional Court for raping a woman (19) on 14 July 2019. The security officer who was on duty at the Professor ZK Mathews Hospital in Barkley West, caught two patients engaging in sexual acts in one of the hospital toilets and reported them to the nursing staff.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said it was then established that the Manone, who was admitted in the hospital for a stab wound took advantage of a patient with a mental disability and raped her. Sam said due to the victim’s mental and psychological state, the case had to be postponed several times to assess her mental state of being able to give testimony in the trial.
“After several consultations, the victim could ultimately testify and the court found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment for rape and instructed that his name be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Tanya Serfontein in collaboration with the Mental Health institution for the thorough investigative work of ensuring that justice is served for the victim.
Picture: The police seized drugs and SANDF uniform/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
4 February 2025- The police in Northern Cape said Operation Shanela remains steadfast in its objective to reduce contact and violent crimes, as well as all other categories of crime. The weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation which commenced on 27 January 2025 until 2 February 2025, executed in the five districts, resulted in the arrest of 256 suspects and the confiscation of numerous items.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said actions and police activities executed during the operations included vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling. Sam said several vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which a total of 5226 vehicles and 13 155 persons were stopped and searched.
“Numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, as well as farms were executed. Operational successes achieved, included the arrest of 255 suspects for murder, attempted murder, assault, burglary and illegal dealing in liquor.
“This includes malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol, robbery, rape, possession of dangerous weapons, dealing in and possession of drugs, stock theft and other crimes,” he said.
Sam further said the police in their endeavour with communities, managed to raid and confiscate illegal drugs valued at more than R120 000 and intercepted a maroon/red Renault Clio with stolen copper cables and military uniform. He added that they have made arrests and seized drugs valued at more than R700 000 in Springbok.
“We have also arrested a hitch-hiker who jumped off a truck in Strydenburg with a bag filled with dagga. The police also intercepted a stolen vehicle in Danielskuil that was stolen in Batlharos in the JTG District.
“Dangerous weapons were confiscated by several crime fighting patrollers, including the Galaletsang Section patrollers in Mothibistad. The detectives and crime intelligence tracing operations, traced and brought to book suspects that are on the police wanted list for evading court appearances and or contravention of court orders,” said Sam.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for the collective efforts and actions executed during this period. Otola indicated that police will continue with their operations in stamping the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all people living in the Northern Cape.
4 February 2025- More than 780 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela across the North West. The suspects were arrested for various offences such as murder, attempted murder, driving under the influence of alcohol, dealing in drugs, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said this includes illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, as well as burglary at business and residential premises. Mokgwabone said of these arrests, 468 were effected during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.
“Still in arrests, Mmabatho Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit members apprehended a wanted suspect, Tshepo Lebotso (36) during crime intelligence-led operation on Tuesday morning, 28 January 2025.
“Lebotso was arrested in Lonely Park village after a warrant was issued for his arrest in June 2022. He was wanted in connection with a rape committed in August 2018. In Vryburg on Thursday morning, 30 January 2025, a multi-disciplinary operation conducted at the taxi rank led to the confiscation of 18 small packets of dagga with estimated street value of R900,” he said.0
Mokgwabone further said 11 suspected undocumented foreign nationals were detained following the operation. He added that this brought a number of suspected undocumented persons taken in for processing by Immigration Officials in the province, to 55.
“As part of the operations, 449 premises, 1380 persons and 955 vehicles were searched. Moreover, the operation led to confiscation of alcohol, 37 rounds of ammunition, tobacco products, and 10 cellular phones,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, committed that police working together with other law enforcement agencies and role players remain steadfast in ensuring that Operation Shanela puts criminals behind bars. Asaneng also lauded all law enforcement officers and other role players for their dedication in ensuring the safety and security of the communities.
Picture: The Upington SAPS Detectives Branch- Economic Crimes, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Faro/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
4 February 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) said cybercrime is a fast-growing area of crime. The police said more and more criminals are exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the internet to commit a diverse range of criminal activities that know no borders, either physical or virtual.
The Upington SAPS Detectives Branch- Economic Crimes, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Faro, who deals with fraud cases on a daily basis, urged the public to be alert and call on parents to monitor the online presence of children to avoid incidents.
“These crimes can be divided into three broad areas such as attacks against computer hardware and software. For example, botnets, malware and network intrusion. Financial crimes and corruption such as online fraud, penetration of online financial services and phishing.
“Abuse in the form of grooming or ‘sexploitation’, especially crimes against children. Kindly apply prevention tips by using strong passwords – use different user ID/password combinations for different accounts and avoid writing them down,” he said.
Faro further said the users should make the passwords more complicated by combining letters, numbers, special characters (a minimum of 10 characters in total) and change them regularly. He added that they should also secure their computer by activating their firewall.
“Firewalls are the first line of cyber defence. They block connections to unknown or bogus sites and will keep out a number of types of viruses and hackers. Use antivirus/malware software and prevent viruses from infecting your computer by installing and regularly updating antivirus software.
“Prevent spyware from infiltrating your computer by installing and updating anti-spyware software. Be social media savvy – Make sure your social networking profiles, for example, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MSN, among other social networks, are set to private,” said Faro.
He said individuals should check their security settings. Faro said they should be careful of what information they post online.
“Once it is on the internet, it is there forever. Secure your mobile devices and be aware that your mobile device is vulnerable to viruses and hackers. Download applications from trusted sources.
“Install the latest operating system updates and keep your applications and operating system, for example Windows, Mac, and Linux, up to date with the latest system updates. Turn on automatic updates to prevent potential attacks on older software, he said.
The Guardian 