Monthly Archives: March 2025

Taxi operators’ chaos in Klerksdorp caused by miscommunication

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Picture: The taxi operators blocked various roads in Klerksdorp/ Klerksdorp Community Marketing

By OBAKENG MAJE

18 March 2025- The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in North West said they are happy after reaching a lasting solution with the North West Provincial Government (NWPG). This comes after SANTACO representatives had a consultative meeting with the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and North West Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, regarding issuance of permits.

On Monday, various roads in Klerksdorp were closed down with burning tyres and debris as taxi operators embarked on strike. They demanded that, Permit Board issue the approved permits to them.

SANTACO provincial chairperson, Ebusang Tladi said the taxi industry has come a long way since the very first taxi was introduced more than half a century ago. Tladi said they had a fruitful consultative engagement with all stakeholders including the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng.

“As SANTACO, we raised an array of issues regarding the alleged circular handed out by Morweng that all permits that were approved by the Permit Board should be held. It was alleged that taxi owners must come and pay for them. So, this was the root of the problem.

However, in the meeting, Morweng denied ever sending out that kind of circular. He said he told the Permit Board not accept new applications anymore because the taxi industry is saturated as per our agreement. This will affect the business and I can say without any fear of contradiction that we are happy with our resolution,” he said.

Tladi further said they agreed to cease their protest and all roads are now trafficable. He added that they normally do not want to embark on a protest strike as this affects the livelihoods of their commuters.

Morweng said: “We had a consultative engagement with the taxi industry in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region and listened to their grievances as they made it clear that they will only listen to the government, if the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and I, are here.  

“Indeed, Mokgosi set everything aside and prioritise them as they are priority. We have engaged with them and agreed to expedite most of their issues raised. Other issues are operational and there has been a miscommunication between ourselves and them.”

Morweng said that is something they are going to strengthen because there was a message that says the Permit Board was instructed to stop the issuance of permits, which was an agreement between government and SANTACO.  He said the reason for this was, the industry is now bloated.

“Now, officials misinterpreted that communication to say we are halting the whole service altogether, which is something that cannot happen. Service is required on a daily basis. We are dealing with old permit applications, and we are not issuing any new permits thus far.

“This was an agreement that we have reached with them as per their memorandum that they have long submitted to us. Generally, there was an agreement and we will be able to move forward and improve on other things that they also raised,” said Morweng.

He said they are looking forward to improving the industry as the taxi operators are rendering service on the government’s behalf. Morweng said they must ensure that the environment and industry is conducive at all times so that taxi operators can thrive as they ferry commuters from one place to another.   

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Motshwarwa o ngwegile mono Taung

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

18 Mopitlwe 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se boloditse letsholo-patlo morago ga go ngwega ga motshwarwa, Thatayaone Motati (23). Se, se tla mogaro ga gore Motati yo o neng a tshwaretswe ditatofatso tsa kgothoso, a kubogelwe ke bolwetsi fa a ne a le kwa diseleng tsa sepodisi kwa seteishaneng sa Taung ka Lamatlhatso.

Go begwa fa Motati a ile a tabogisetswa kwa bookelo jwa Taung go ya go bona thuso ya potlako. Fela, go begwa fa Motati yo o neng a le ka fa tlase ga tlhokomelo ya sepodisi kwa bookelong jwa Taung, a ile a ikgolola, mme a ngwega ka go dirisa letlhabaphefo le leneng le le kwa morago.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are: “Ke nnete sepodisi se boloditse letsholo-patlo. Go begwa fa motlhankedi wa sepodisi yo o neng a tlhokometse motshwara o, a ne a mo tlogela, mme leba ka kwa kgorong e e dirisiwang thata (main entrance).

“Re tlile go tsaya dikgato kgatlhanong le motlhankedi o, mme go fitlha ga jaana motshwarwa o ngwegileng ga ese a tshwarwe.”

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Kgetsi ya polao ya kwa Diplankeng e buseditswe morago

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

18 Mopitlwe 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le Mietjie Babiki Fischer (44), wa kwa motseng wa Diplankeng kwa Magogong, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago go fitlha di 20 Mopitlwe 2025, ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung. Se, se tla morago ga gore Fischer a latofadiwe ka go bolaya Boitumelo Sebekedi wa kwa motseng wa Lokaleng dibeke tse pedi tse di fetileng.  

Go begwa fa Sebekedi a ne a latofadiwa ka go utswa Jojo tank, mme a tlhaselwa ke baagi. Go ya ka dipego, Sebekedi o ile a teketiwa ka ketane le go tlhabiwa ka thipa pele ga a ka bidiwa ka garawe.

Go begwa fa baagi ba ile ba mo tsenya mo kgetsing, mme ba mo latlhela kwa forong. Ene ya re morago ga nakonyana, go begwa fa baagi ba ile ba ntsha Sebekedi kwa forong eo.

Go begwa fa baagi ba ile ba mo isa kwa godimo le kwa tlase makgetlhonyana, pele ga ba mo tshela ka motlhapo le makgome. Go begwa fa sepodisi se ile sa tshwara basadi ba le bararo, fela ba le babedi ba ile ba ntshiwa gonne go se bopaki jo bo tletseng kgatlhanong le bone.

Sepodisi se ile sa tshwara Fischer, mme ba mo latofatsa ka polao. Fischer o solofetswe go dira kopo ya beile ka di 20 Mopitlwe 2025.

Kgabagare, sepodisi se ganne go tshwaela mo tiragalong e, gonne ba tlhalositse fa seo se tla kgoreletsa dipatlisiso tsa bone mo kgetsing.

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More than 1000 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: Police conducting stop and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

18 March 2025 – More than 1227 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary at residential and business premises, possession of drugs, theft out of/from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said of the 1227 arrested suspects, 424 were wanted for contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and common, as well as house and business robberies. Mokgwabone said they were held during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.  

“Furthermore, a total of 28 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, patrols, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, Second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others. 

“In Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom on 14 March 2025, a fine of R1000 was imposed on a man (33), after he was found transporting liquor without a delivery note. Moreover, a joint roadblock on the R509 (Potchefstroom/Carletonville) road, resulted in the issuing of fines worth R6200 to eight motorists for road traffic related offences,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said items such as 95 ammunition, three firearms, three vehicles and a variety of drugs, were confiscated during the operations. He added that Operation Shanela will continue to bring more perpetrators to book as part of ensuring that the communities are and feel safe.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, congratulated the police and other stakeholders for their continuous support in fighting crime in the province to ensure the safety and security of the inhabitants.

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AFU secures a preservation order of R2.2m related to the FDG Group of companies founded by Louis Liebenberg

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

17 March 2025- Pretoria’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), obtained a preservation order in the Pretoria High Court on 12 March 2025, to preserve a house in Hartbeespoort, North West worth R2.2 million belonging to Johannes Jakobus Badenhorst aka Hannes Badenhorst and his wife, Christelle Badenhorst. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the house was purchased in May 2022, for an amount of R2.2 million and registered in the names of Johannes Jakobus Badenhorst, aka Hannes Badenhorst, and his wife, Christelle Badenhorst, who are still residing in the house.

Mahanjana said investigations by the AFU revealed that the funds used to purchase the property originated from Tarioco (Pty) Ltd, which is one of the companies founded by Louis Petrus Liebenberg as part of the Forever Diamonds and Gold group of companies (FDG group of companies). She further said Hannes Badenhorst was one of the Directors of Tarioco.

“They ran a syndicate where members of the public were enticed to partake in a Joint Venture agreement with the FDG group of companies by purchasing diamond parcels, which would supposedly be sold by the FDG group of companies and the profits shared. The joint venture partners were then promised high returns on their investments.

“However, evidence revealed that the scheme was fraud, the diamond parcels did not exist, and the investors’ funds were used to purchase a mine and properties for the directors,” she said.

Mahanjana added that evidence revealed that incoming investors were paid with the investments of existing investors, which carries the hallmark of a classic Ponzi scheme. She said the house that is preserved does not form part of the assets seized by the liquidators of Tariomix.

“The next step is to apply for a final forfeiture order, when granted the house will be sold on public auction and the proceeds paid into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account.

“The criminal case against the two and others implicated Liebenberg, and 9 others will appear on 8 July 2025, at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court,” said Mahanjana.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Pretoria AFU, advocate Martin Mafojane, welcomed the preservation order and wants to assure the public that the AFU remains committed in confiscating proceeds of crime.

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A man nabbed for business robbery, while appearing in court

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

17 March 2025- A man (30) who was arrested for business robbery will remain in custody until his next court appearance on 27 March 2025. The accused, Steven Ndlovu, briefly appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 12 March 2025, on three counts of business robbery.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said, Ndlovu was arrested in Johannesburg on 6 March 2025, where he was appearing in court. Mokgwabone said this was after he was linked, through forensic leads, to business robberies allegedly committed in Rustenburg between August 2016 and December 2024.

“Subsequent to the arrest, the accused was brought to Rustenburg, where he was linked to three cases. The accused is also facing two charges of business robbery committed in Hillbrow and Roodepoort.

“Investigations into the matter continue and the possibility of linking him to other cases cannot be ruled out,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, applauded the police for the arrest, which he said will serve as an indication that nothing will deter the police from tracing and arresting those who commit crime.

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Admission of guilt fine for failure to submit tax returns

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

17 March 2025- The Director of A John T/A, Albert Vervoer (83), briefly appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court, facing 15 counts of contravening Section 234 (d) of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011. This comes after Vervoer allegedly failed to submit tax returns.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said it is alleged that, between March 2012 and June 2024, Vervoer allegedly failed to submit Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and Value-Added Tax (VAT) returns, despite telephonic reminders from SARS on 1 April 2022, and subsequent written notices. Gunya said his court appearance follows the work of the Honey Badger Project, a collaborative initiative between the NPA, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks), and SARS.

“The project seeks to enhance compliance by holding individuals and entities accountable for tax non-compliance through legal action. In court, Vervoer paid an admission of guilt fine of R15 000 for failure to submit tax returns.

“This is the third matter, where an accused has been brought before the court for failure to submit tax returns. The two other matters were finalized in Orkney Court, where the accused Bongani Mafuleni (58), the director of TFBS Funeral Parlour and Highway Supermarket, paid admission of guilt fines of R3000 and R19 000, respectively,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, has welcomed the finalisation of these cases and emphasized the importance of enforcing compliance with South Africa’s tax laws and ensuring that justice is upheld. Makhari said the NPA and DPCI reaffirm their commitment to addressing non-compliance and ensuring adherence to the law under the Honey Badger Project.
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Four suspects arrested for fraud, money laundering and corruption

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI  

17 March 2025- Four suspects aged between 38 and 53, were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, Serious Corruption Investigation in collaboration with Hawks’ Head Office Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), for alleged fraud, money laundering and corruption.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mthebula said the reports indicate that in 2018, a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a municipality in Rustenburg, allegedly colluded with a service provider to have her company, which was not on the municipality’s database, claim payments for services using a company, which was registered on the municipality’s database.

Mathebula said investigation revealed that payments for alleged services rendered were allegedly paid into the bank account of a service provider that was not on the database. He further said these payments, amounting to over R25 million, were allegedly made between December 2018 and May 2019.

“Further probe uncovered that funds were transferred from the service provider’s bank account into the bank accounts of three municipal employees, the CFO, Secretary to the Municipal Manager, and a municipal councillor.

“It is further alleged that three non-municipal employees and their entities also received funds from the service provider’s bank account. The suspects were charged with multiple counts of fraud, money laundering and corruption,” said Mathebula.

He added that the suspects will appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 18 March 2025. Mathebula said the former Municipal Manager and two service providers are still at large.

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Lomas granted a R2million bail

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Picture: The corruption accused, Michael Lomas 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

17 March 2025- The Johannesburg High Court granted Michael Lomas bail of R2 million with stringent conditions.  The court ordered that his United Kingdom passport and his South African Identity document are surrendered to the investigating officer.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Lomas is barred from applying for travel documents. Mamothame said he will reside at a care home, where he will be provided with the necessary assistance.

“The details of the home to be provided to the investigating officer, source a smartphone with location monitoring facility to be monitored by the investigating officer and should not leave the Gauteng jurisdiction without informing the Investigating officer,” he said.

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Monna wa kwa Modutung o boela kwa kgotlhatshekelo

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

17 Mopitlwe 2025- Monna (35) wa kwa motseng wa Modutung kwa Magogong, gaufi le Taung, o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mabapi le polao. Molatofadiwa, Thabiso Nkwane o ile a tshwarwa mabapi le polao ya ga mmagwe, Masego Irene Nkwane (56).

Go begwa fa go ile ga tsoga thefosano ya mafoko magareng ga moswi le mmelaelwa. Go ya ka dipego, mmelaelwa one a tsaya garawe le go kgenetha mmagwe ka yone.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are, kegtsi e butswe, mme mmelaelwa o lebagane ke kgetsi ya polao.

Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a ne a lebotsa phokoje morago ga tiragalo. Sepodisi se ile sa mo tshwara ka Laboraro.

Kgabagare, baagi ba ikuela go puso go ka tlhoma seteishene sa sepodisi kwa motseng wa Magogong, gonne o fetogile kgapamadi.

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