Daily Archives: April 11, 2025

Stock theft a challenge in Mareetsane area

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By REGINALD KANYANE

11 April2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said stock theft appears to be a huge challenge in the areas of Mareetsane, Mooifontein, neighbouring villages and farms. Morweng said this came during the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme (ASDP) Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded held in Weltevrede village, outside Mahikeng.  

He further said, he was made aware of this challenge during his unannounced visit to the Mareetsane and Mooifontein Police Stations, as part of oversight monitoring. Morweng added that, at Mareetsane Police Station, he found about 200 stock theft dockets that are under investigation and it serves five villages as well as over 40 farms with variation in size.

“The Mooifontein Police Station serves eight villages and neighbouring farms. The station has a serious challenge of stock theft cases reported from time to time, but the community doesn’t get feedback on any progress.

“An extraordinary approach is needed to clamp down on the concerning rate of stock theft. I have received a detailed account of the challenges experienced by both police stations,” said Morweng.

He said they have an obligation as a government to protect the communities and their properties, so they need to have a solution. Morweng said they need to urgently re-strategise and find innovative ways to root it out.

“We definitely need to demolish the syndicate if there is one around here. Following a number of complaints that we received from communities, we called on station managers to constantly provide feedback to communities on cases that are being reported and under investigation.

“Police station managers are obliged to attend community meetings within the jurisdiction of their stations. It is important to give feedback on cases reported,” he said.

Morweng said the police are doing a good job, but failing to give feedback to the concerned regarding their cases. He encouraged communities to improve their security and measures of taking care of their livestock through brand marking.

“Recently, the Mooifontein Police Station assisted communities to apply for brand marks as part of measures to deal with stock theft. With regard to other challenges raised by both police stations such as personnel and resources, we will engage with the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng.

“In order to provide them with the support they require, I will engage Asaneng to see how we can increase the station’s capacity and ensure that they service the community adequately,” said Morweng.

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A mother sentenced to eight years imprisonment for murder of her own child

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By OBAKENG MAJE

11 April 2025- A mother (40) from Dunnottar in Nigel was sentenced to eight years by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Benoni for the murder of her daughter. The sentence is wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of murder during that period.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said this follows her conviction for the murder of her son (16) and an attempted murder of her daughter (7). Mahanjana said on 6 June 2022, the woman fed her two minor children food laced with poisoned food.

“This occurred shortly after she had fallen victim to a financial scam and was unable to pay her children’s school fees. She had also recently discovered that she had contracted a disease.

“After feeding the poisoned food to her children, she drove with them toward the Free State Province. Upon reaching Frankfort, the children began to fall ill. She stopped at a local filling station, requested assistance, and disclosed what she had done,” she said.

Mahanjana further said emergency services were called, and the children were transported to Frankfort Hospital, where the son died. She added that, in her plea, the mother stated that she had also confessed her actions to the doctor at the hospital.

“The police were called and she was arrested, though later released on bail. During the mitigation of sentence, she asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed life sentence because she was the primary caregiver of her surviving daughter.

“She also told the court that she was remorseful of her actions and at the time of the incident she was not in the right frame of mind due to her recent diagnosis,” said Mahanjana.

The state prosecutor, advocate Jeffery Nethononda, urged the court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offence and argued against deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence, given that the crimes were committed against her children. The father of the deceased child was also called to testify for victim impact. 

“He testified that while he has forgiven the mother, he continues to struggle with the pain of losing his son. In delivering the sentence, acting Judge Van der Westhuizen, found that there were substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed life sentence.

“The court considered the mother’s genuine remorse, the fact that she is the primary caregiver of her surviving child, the betrayal and the emotional trauma she suffered from the father of her daughter and her mental health challenges, including depression, at the time of the incident,” she said.

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Accused in Estina linked tax case in court

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Picture: The Estina Diary Farm/Google

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

11 April 2025- The trial against Kamal Vasram and Saliesh Indurjeeth relating to the R37.7 million SARS customs tax fraud case emanating from the importing of a pasteurisation plant for the Estina Dairy Farm, commenced before the Pretoria Regional Court today.  

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the matter was postponed to 18 August 2025 for further trial. Mamothame said the state will, however, prior to that, file an application for the admissibility of further evidence which has been sourced from another country.

“The court ordered the state to file its application by 6 June 2025, and the defence to file their reply by 7 July 2025. Arguments will subsequently be heard on 18 July 2025, for the court to make a ruling on the admissibility of the evidence on 18 August 2025.

“The duo’s court appearance emanates from a collaborative investigation by the IDAC and the South African Revenue Service (SARS), into the Estina Dairy Project, wherein they allegedly submitted fraudulent and inflated customs clearance valued at the time of importation at approximately R37.7 million for the pasteurisation plant imported from India, declared to be new, while it was allegedly second-hand,” he said.

Mamothame further said the importation of the pasteurisation plant was allegedly invoiced to Estina by Gateway Limited in the UAE, a company linked to the Guptas. He added that, the accused remain out on R10 000 bail each.

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Portfolio Committee threatens to review scholar transport tender in North West

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Picture: A scholar transport bus involved in an accident/Facebook

By REGINALD KANYANE

11 April 2025- The North West Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management has expressed grave concern following yet another unacceptable incident involving a scholar transport bus. A school bus, reportedly with defective brakes, was carrying 48 learners when it failed to stop at the traffic lights opposite Mega City, crashing into a state vehicle and a liquor truck.

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile, who arrived at the accident scene just minutes after it occurred, said, fortunately, the truck absorbed the impact, preventing further disaster. Sonakile said the learners sustained minor injuries and were taken to nearby clinics and hospitals.

“This incident highlights a recurring failure in the scholar transport system. Despite numerous warnings by the Committee about unroadworthy buses, the issue persists—this accident being a direct result of those concerns being ignored.

“More troubling is the bus operator’s admission that he has not been paid for over three months, despite continuing to provide the service. This speaks to serious financial mismanagement and systemic negligence within the North West scholar transport tender system,” he said.

Sonakile further said the committee has requested a full report and will hold the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management accountable. He added that the department had assured the committee in March 2025 that all scholar transport operators had been verified.

“Yet, this dangerously unfit bus remained in operation, an inexcusable oversight. The committee will, at its next sitting, consider firm and possibly unpopular reforms, including consideration of compliant versus non-compliant buses and a complete review of the entire tender.

“We cannot afford to wait for fatalities. Bold, immediate and uncompromising action is required to protect our children. We’ve been raising these concerns for over a year, the time for excuses is over,” said Sonakile.

He said the committee wishes all injured learners a speedy recovery and urges parents and communities to remain vigilant and report non-compliant buses immediately and most importantly act before lives are lost, not after.

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It’s been 100 years since the discovery of Taung Skull, but….!

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Picture: The late professor and palaeoanthropologist Phillip Vallentine Tobias holds the Taung skull. / Wikipedia

By OBAKENG MAJE

11 April 2025- Taung World Heritage Site, which is a significant piece of South African heritage, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The site is where a crucial early hominin fossil was discovered.

However, one of the founders of Vaal Taung Tourism Association, Ontshebile Joseph Tshamboko, who is affectionately known as ‘OJ The Dreamer” said, it is disheartening to see that there are no builds-up event to celebrate 100 years anniversary since the discovery of Taung Skull. Tshamboko calls on the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) to make means that it brings Taung Skull from Wits University to Taung, at least for a month.

He further said that it will benefit the economy of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District at large. Tshamboko said that will also inspire young people who are passionate about tourism.    

“For years, as the tourism product owners across the province, we have submitted numerous proposals to previous MECs, but nothing is happening. We do see that tourism in Bojanala is booming, whereas Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District also has the potential.

“When it comes to the Taung Skull issue, it is really throbbing. Yes, we see development but they have been there for the past 10 years. Today, the area is still in the developmental stage, though they said they are completing soon,” he said.

Tshamboko said it will be great if locals have a touch or feel the skull within their jurisdiction as part of its centenary celebration. He said even if there is no physical touch, just to see it will make a difference.

“I think some of us will rest in peace knowing that we have seen our fossil with our naked eyes. When are we going to lay our eyes on that particular precious skull?

“If they are concerned about security, they can do the same thing as they do when showcasing the World Cup trophies. We will be able to generate income and tourism product owners will make profits,” said Tshamboko.

He said people are prepared to pay to see that skull. Tshamboko said the government can even deploy South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to guard the Taung Skull as part of activation.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Evelyn Lenkopane said: “I have been receiving a lot of calls regarding Taung Skull. We are closing shop now and will no longer be a construction site.

“Taung Skull must generate income for the people of Taung. We are busy digitising it and the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, will hand it over to the community, so that activation and economical activities can start rolling.”

Lenkopane said the government has already spent almost R500 million on the Taung World Heritage Site project since its inception. She said they have appointed a project management team that has given a timeline.

“We cannot forever pump money into the project. So, we are giving it to the community and releasing a digitised version of it. We are also engaging Wits University,” said Lenkopane.

Meanwhile, the fossilised skull of a child was discovered by unsuspecting workers in a limestone quarry in Buxton village in 1924. Taung Skull or Taung Child, which was later named Australopithecus africanus, was the first hominid fossil to be discovered on the African continent.

Taung Skull was formally discovered and studied by Raymond Dart. The skull was taken to the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for research purposes, where it is currently located.

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Picture: Taung  

SAPS: “Stop damaging the integrity of police with unverified information”

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Picture: The SAPS van seen offloading crates of liquor/Screengrab

By BAKANG MOKOTO

11 April 2025- The SAPS Management in the Northern Cape said it has noted the video clip circulating on social media platforms depicting a SAPS marked vehicle offloading crates at a liquor outlet in Paballelo on 10 April 2025. The management said it wishes to place the incident into context to avoid further misunderstanding and misinterpretation thereof.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien said SAPS in Paballelo were busy disposing of SAP 13 items on 10 April 2025 which included liquor. Gamieldien said during various police operations, a number of illegal shebeens or illegal liquor outlets were raided and alcohol being sold in contravention of applicable legislation was seized and stored in the SAPS custody.

“Upon finalization of the criminal cases, the alcohol was declared as forfeited to the state. The liquor was disposed of in accordance with SAPS internal prescripts. The empty bottles and crates were also disposed of by means of taking them to the identified legal liquor outlet for purposes of disposal in exchange for cash.

“The money will then be deposited into the State account. The SAPS is appealing to the community to refrain from posting unverified videos on social media platforms without confirming or verifying the origin or circumstances thereof,” she said.

Gamieldien further said these incidents tarnishes and damages the image of the organization and compromises the confidence of the public in the South African Police Service.

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48 learners ferried to hospital after the brakes of their scholar transport bus failed

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Picture: The scholar transport bus involved in a car accident/Ofentse Letlape

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

11 April 2025- The scholar transport bus ferrying 48 learners from Lapologang Secondary School in Montshioa Township, near Mahikeng was involved in an accident. This comes after the breaks of a 50-seater bus allegedly failed, resulting in it hitting a state vehicle from behind.

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said the accident occurred on a busy intersection near Mega City Shopping Centre on Thursday afternoon. Morweng said neither of the two drivers were hurt, though some learners sustained minor injuries.

“All the 48 learners were taken to Bophelong Provincial Hospital. The learners, 12 boys and 36 girls whose ages range from 14 to 18 and in Grade 8 to 12, are from Lokaleng, Mogosane and Tlapeng, outside Mmabatho.

“The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management Chief Director responsible for Transport Operation, Mpho Rantona, worked with teachers till very late to ensure that all learners are transported to the hospital,” he said.

Morweng further said out of learners admitted, 47 were discharged after medical checkup, except one who is kept for overnight observation. He added that the department made arrangements for each learner to be transported home.

“The department has also made alternative transport to ensure learners are being transported to school. We have requested a comprehensive report on the cause of the accident, including the roadworthiness of the bus,” said Morweng.

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Committee over escalating municipal debt crisis

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Picture: The Eskom

By REGINALD KANYANE

11 April 2025 – The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources received briefings yesterday from the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) and Eskom on their audit outcomes and performance in the 2024/25 financial year. The committee commended NECSA for improvement in its audit outcomes from a disclaimed position to clean audits.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mpho Modise said on operations, the committee told the entity that there should be a dedicated session for that report on the entity’s work and plans, as there was not enough time for that yesterday. Modise said regarding Eskom, the committee acknowledged progress made in stabilising operations and reducing load-shedding.

“However, we expressed concerns over persistent challenges that included the escalating municipal debt crisis, which has crippled the utility’s financial sustainability.

“Other issues raised relating to Eskom included continued problems with fraud, corruption and criminality in spite of efforts to strengthen internal controls and consequence management,” he said.

Modise further said the committee raised questions about delays in the legal separation and unbundling of Eskom’s entities, as well as the utility’s environmental compliance challenges, including with emissions standards. He added that the committee stressed the need for the power utility to be more transparent and provide regular updates on its turnaround efforts.

“The Deputy Minister for the Department of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Jane Graham-Mare, informed the committee that there is a plan to establish a joint task team that will include National Treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to develop customized interventions to address the municipal debt crisis.

“The committee told both entities that it will continue to monitor their performance closely and engage with their political principals to ensure accountability,” said Modise.

He said the committee highlighted the need for the department and its entities to improve their responsiveness and transparency and to provide the required information to the committee when that is due.

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SAFA skips U17 COSAFA Women’s Championship for players for focus on school

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Picture: Under 17 Women’s Soccer players/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

11 April 2025– The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced that the SA U17 Women’s National Team, Bantwana, will not participate in the upcoming U17 COSAFA Women’s Championship scheduled for Namibia from 10-17 May 2025. SAFA said it took this decision in an effort to help the players focus more on their education.

The SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said the association has the responsibility of balancing education with football, especially for the younger players. Jordaan said the pool of U17 Women’s National Team players, some of whom are as young as 15 years-old, have missed a lot of school since the beginning of the year, while attending various preparation camps and also participating in the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers.

“Bantwana started the year with the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers against Gabon, home and away in January 2025. They were also involved in a training camp in February to help the team prepare for qualifying matches against Nigeria that further took them out of school between 7-16 March 2025.

“Some of the players were also selected for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana in February and missed classes from 17-26 February when they played two international friendly games against Lesotho,” he said.

Jordaan further said the association is now preparing for the CAF African Schools Football Championship, which will be staged in Ghana, which means more school hours will be missed by the players in the squad in April. He added that, as a result, the association has decided not to enter the team to participate in the COSAFA U17 Championship in May 2025, to afford the players an opportunity to catch up with schooling before the mid-year break, noting that their success in school is also as important as playing football.

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