Daily Archives: May 16, 2025

Mokgosi to establish committee to address Bahurutshe Boo Mokgatlha tribal disputes  

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Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

16 May 2025- The Standing Committee on Legislative Review and Implementation of House Resolutions held an oversight meeting over a petition submitted by Molefe David Mooketsi on behalf of the petitioners from Bahurutshe Boo Mokgatlha. The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi together with North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi together with the departmental officials were present at the meeting where the petition was submitted by Mooketsi on behalf of the community of Koffiekraan in Moses Kotane Local Municipality in Bojanala District.

Mooketsi said the Bahurutshe Boo Mokgatlha from Mokgatlha (Koffikraal village) raised concerns regarding tribal disputes on traditional leadership dating back from 1993 to date. Mooketsi informed the Standing Committee that there has been a concern about the current leadership’s legal standing and how it was elected without a tribal council.

“We request the legislature to intervene in ensuring that the rightful leadership be appointed as we do not recognise the current Kgosi. We’ve had multiple commissions on the matter through the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Office of the Premier which deals with traditional leadership disputes but the matter has not been resolved.

“There are rumours that there are unsigned close-out reports on the matter but we have not received any formal feedback from the provincial government. We do not have a properly constituted royal family and tribal council where the community is also represented as per prescripts of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act and which receives the relevant community support,” he said.  

Mooketsi further said they will give the committee all support with all the out structures in place. He added that they welcome Mokgosi’s plan to establish the dispute committee.

Mokgosi said the provincial government will establish a dispute committee where the matter will be investigated. He said they commit as the government that they will establish the committee within the next two weeks with relevant terms of references, where it will work with all the relevant stakeholders to explore and investigate this matter as part of Section 59 of the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership Act.

“The committee will be given three months to conduct its work and make proper recommendations. We promise as the provincial government that we will prioritise this matter and give it urgency,” said Mokgosi.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee, Tebogo Modise also welcomed the suggestions of the provincial government.

“We hope that this matter can be resolved in the near future and are happy that there is commitment from the head of the provincial government,” said Modise.

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Zimbabwean sentenced to life for rape

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

16 May 2025- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment for rape handed down by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court to a Zimbabwean national, Mulero Nyangero (32), from Pretoria West. Nyangero was further sentenced to five years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The NPA regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said the court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently and he must be declared unfit to possess a firearm. Mahanjana said on 14 August 2020, in the afternoon, the victim was running on Kloof Street in Pretoria West, when three men came out of the nearby bush, approached and dragged her into the bushes, where Nyangero raped her.

“While Nyengero was raping her the other two men were assaulting her and threaten her with a knife.  Thereafter, they forced her to transfer money to them via cell phone banking, tied her hands and fled the scene.

“The victim untied herself, ran to the road, where she got a lift home from a vehicle passing by. Thereafter, she went to Pretoria West Police Station, where she reported the matter,” she said.

Mahanjana further said after investigations, Nyangero was arrested on 21 February 2021, at a tavern in Pretoria West and has been in custody since. She added that, in court, Nyangero pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him and denied ever committing the offences.

“However, the state prosecutor, advocate Chester Molaba, presented compelling evidence by the investigating officers and the victim, which proved that indeed Nyangero committed the offences.

“During sentencing proceedings through his legal representative, Nyangero asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences because he is married and has two minor children that he needs to provide and care for,” said Mahanjana.

She said, furthermore, he asked the court to consider the fact that he has been in custody for four years since his arrest. Mahanjana said Molaba, however, argued against the deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment because Nyangero showed no remorse for the serious crimes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) he committed, which are prevalent in the country.

“Molaba argued that the offences were inhumane, vicious, and brutal against a defenceless woman. In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Themba Ndwandwe, agreed with the state that the crimes committed by Nyangero were inhumane and that he showed no remorse.

“He said that his actions showed that he had no respect for women because he treated the victim like an animal. Therefore, he found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) advocate, Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, applauds the work of the prosecutor and the investigating officer, Captain Mkhonto, which led to this conviction and sentence. Van Vuuren said she hope that this sentence reaffirms the NPA’s commitment to prosecuting crimes of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

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Motlhabi aims to address challenges facing various projects

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Picture: The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi

By REGINALD KANYANE

16 May 2025- The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality said it proceeded with the Mayoral IDP/Budget consultative Imbizo at Boitumelong Sports Ground in Bloemhof on 15 May 2025. The municipality said the event critically fostered community participation and transparency.

The Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi emphasized the importance of active community engagement in shaping local development initiatives. Motlhabi said the municipality outlined the draft budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.

“Our presentation detailed the financial allocations and strategic priorities intended to address the community’s needs. This draft budget is a crucial element in ensuring resource allocation aligns with the community’s expectations and development goals.

“It is important and necessary to cooperate between municipal authorities and residents for effective governance and development. I also provided updates on significant developmental projects within the municipality such as the ongoing progress of the Bloemhof Mall and the thriving Salamat Shopping Complex,” he said.

Motlhabi further said the sewer outflow project aimed at resolving spillage issues, which underscores the municipality’s commitment to infrastructure improvement and environmental health. He added that, the mayoral imbizo represents a continuous effort by the municipality to engage with residents, ensuring that their voices contribute in shaping the municipality’s developmental trajectory.

“This collaboration between the government and its citizens is essential for ensuring sustainable growth and a higher quality of life for all community members,” said Motlhabi.

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SA U20 men’s national team reach AFCON final

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Picture: Amajita players celebrating against Nigeria/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

16 May 2025 – Amajita are through to the final of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Nigeria 1-0 in a tense final at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt on Thursday night. A lone strike from Tylon Smith in the 66th minute, assisted by Neo Rapoo, sealed the victory for the South African U20 men’s national team.

Amajita coach, Raymond Mdaka’s team started their AFCON campaign with a defeat to the hosts Egypt, but they regrouped to eventually march to the final for the first time in 28 years. Their last appearance in the AFCON finals was back in 1997, where they lost against Morocco.

Mdaka congratulated his players and said they have grown with each passing game in the tournament and shown a lot of character.

“Yes, another win, congratulations to the boys. What a good job, good character, very disciplined, sticking to the agreements, tactical, technical. We really appreciate it.

“As much as it was not easy, our boys are growing in each and every match, growing in character and growing in everything. Thank you so much and well done boys and well done for the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, the SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan, congratulated the team on their achievement.

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