By OBAKENG MAJE

Most political parties in the North West call for the removal of the newly-elected ANC ward councillor in Ditsobotla, Sibusiso Thamaga. This comes after the widespread allegations that, Thamaga was amongst three men who were arrested for stock theft on 23 December 2022.

Three men aged between 27 and 37 were arrested by police for possession of suspected stolen goods. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, the arrest was executed by members of Sannieshof Stock-theft and Endangered Species (STES) unit.

Mokgwabone said, the suspects were arrested after the police searched two private dwellings in Bakerville, outside Lichtenburg.

“They found two sheep carcasses and the latter were positively identified through tattoos. They were confirmed to be part of 24 sheep allegedly stolen between 17 and 18 December 2022 on a farm in the area of Bakerville.

“The two suspects were arrested together with another man whose cellphone was found in the kraal, where the sheep were stolen. Investigation into the matter is underway and all three suspects are expected to appear before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on 28 December 2022,” he said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and thanked members for their efforts.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) spokesperson in North West, Fanon Moema said, they welcome the arrest of Thamaga. Moema said, Thamaga’s arrest corroborates their contention that, ANC is responsible for creating a fertile ground for corruption in all spheres of government.

“Today, ANC ward councillor, who was elected merely 11 days ago in the by-elections is already stealing from the community as opposed to improving the socio-economic conditions.

“The reluctance of the voters in some of the wards to deal decisively with the ANC, has done more harm than good to their livelihoods. We commend the intervention of the law enforcement agencies and the whistle-blowers in this matter. We will apply ourselves fully and attentively to the developments of this case to ensure that the accused do not enjoy any impunity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in North West calls for the resignation of Thamaga. F4SD provincial secretary, Lenyatso Legabe said: “As F4SD, we are not surprised that the newly-elected ANC deployee turns out to be a thief. This is so on-brand, typical ANC and Thamaga is not an exception.

“This is the type of people the ANC offers as public representatives. Thieves and other characters of questionable reputations. We call on Thamaga to resign from the position so that residents can get an opportunity to elect someone else and hopefully this time around, the corrupt ANC will not win the seat.”

Legabe said, he expects the ANC to try and protect Thamaga, instead of making him account. He said, they know that the ANC has low accountability standards that are hardly enforced.

“Their recent national conference is proof that the party of Mandela has now evolved into a full-on criminal enterprise that chose leaders among candidates that have all sorts of allegations around them,” said Legabe.

*ANC spokesperson in North West, Tumelo Maruping failed to respond to our WhatsApp messages before publishing this article.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The much-anticipated DJ Nation Annual Bash event returns with a bang after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The DJ Nation Annual Bash organiser, Monnapula “Dj Nation” Mokgwabone, who had an interview with a 24-hour news channel, Newzroom Afrika said, he has roped in some of the A-list artists on the line-up.

Mokgwabone said, this year’s DJ Nation Annual Bash event’s edition which will take place at Taung Cover-ground on 28 December, will be bigger than it was in past years. He also encourages patrons to purchase their tickets to avoid disappointment. 

“We started this event back in 2007 with only 200 people in a small village. But as things stand now, the event has grown in leaps and bounds. We had over 18 000 revellers in our last event back in 2019 and that alone shows that this event is loved by many. 

“We have applied various types of marketing including word of mouth. Some of the people in the village, apart from those who stay in the cities, only see these big-name artists on tv or social media. So, I think it is a good thing for them to see these household artists live,” he said.    

Mokgwabone further said some of the A-list artists who are on the line-up are Cassper Nyovest, Makhadzi, Master KG and the list is endless. He added that, on previous occasions, the event was graced by international artists as far as Japan, USA and UK.

“There are quite a lot of challenges and some companies have shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, obviously, it is difficult to have to deal with new service providers as most of them charge hefty amounts because they complain that Taung is too far.

“However, in terms of marketing, we have used various methods to remind our people that, indeed the DJ Nation Annual Bash event is back. There are also some of logistics that we had to deal with including ticket pricing,” said Mokgwabone.

According to Mokgwabone, he considered the high rate of unemployment when doing ticket pricing. Mokgwabone said, one thing that he did, was to ensure that tickets are affordable.

“We should not find ourselves in a situation, where tickets are too expensive and people could not afford them back home. Our country is struggling economically and where we come from, is not like here in Gauteng, where you’ll find either City of Tshwane or Johannesburg support events.

“The event brings a huge spin-off to the district and the province at large. We also have people from neighbouring countries like Botswana and Namibia attending the event. So, the minute they enter into the province, they either spend on fuel, food, or accommodation,” said Mokgwabone.

He said, mostly, Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) and informal traders benefit from the event either indirectly or directly including those who are looking for love. 

Mokgwabone said many people are keen to have the DJ Nation Annual Bash event in their areas, especially in the cities, but he never thought about it because Taung is the home of the Dj Nation Annual Bash event.

“What I have done previously, was to have activations across the country like Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Kuruman. However, this year, there were some challenges in planning and other things. However, next year, we will start planning early with my team to ensure that we have activations across the country again.

“Many people across the country are keen to host us. It is too costly to organise an event of this magnitude and it is ideal to have sponsors around. Fortunately, I have been saving over the years and we are quite covered from all angles,” he said.

Mokgwabone said, all systems go for the event as he had a consultative meeting with various stakeholders and in terms of security, everything is running accordingly.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THREE suspects were arrested for possession of unlicenced firearms and suspected stolen property. Hamilton Radebe (46), Michael Kgwete (42), and Thabiso William Kgame (34) made a brief appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and their case was postponed until 29 December 2022.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday after the police in Jouberton received a tip-off. Botma said the suspects were travelling in a white Volkswagen Polo driving from Wolmaransstad toward the direction of Klerksdorp.

“The suspects allegedly robbed a cellphone shop at gunpoint in Wolmaransstad on Tuesday, so their vehicle was spotted near Jouberton and stopped. Three men as well as the vehicle were searched.

“The police found two unlicensed firearms and recovered 57 stolen cellphones. All three suspects were immediately arrested. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on 29 December 2022 for a formal bail application. The investigation into the matter continues,” she said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

More than 200 people have been arrested for various offenses during Safer Festive Season Operation Tlotla Molao thus far on 20 and 21 December 2022 in the North West. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, the operation was held on 20 and 21 December 2022.

Mokgwabone further said the suspects were arrested for offences such as assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, burglary residential and business, theft of the motor vehicle, rape, contravention of a protection order and many others. 

“Of the 299 suspects, 107 were arrested in Bojanala Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg), 100 in Bojanala Sub-District 1 (Brits), 66 in Dr Kenneth Kaunda and 26 in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

“In another operation by detectives and visible policing to enforce the Second-Hand Goods Act, 2009 (Act No. 6 of 2009), 16 business owners in Rustenburg were fined for contravening various sections of the Act. In addition, police subsequently visited butcheries and the owner of the butchery was fined for contravention of section 7(1)(c) of the Stock Theft Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000),” he said.

Mokgwabone further said, still in Rustenburg, a team comprising of Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime and K9 Unit, arrested five suspects for possession and dealing in drugs.  He added, that in the first incident, the police spotted two males performing what appeared to be a drug dealing transaction.

“As a result, ix zip lock plastic packets and one plastic bag were found in possession of Ihionou Chinasa after being searched. Consequent to the arrest, a search and seizure warrant was authorised and executed at the accused’s place where R7 100 and eight cellphones were found and seized. 

“In the second incident, a man was arrested at a block of flats after being found packaging crystal meth with an estimated street value of R1 600. In the third and last arrest, three suspects (two males and a female) were found in a room packaging drugs (crystal meth),” said Mokgwabone.

He said a search was also conducted in a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects. Mokgwabone said during the search, 120 packets of CAT, two mandrax tablets and crystal meth were found.

“All accused persons, Ihionou Chinasa (43) Everistus Egu (36) Nelson Keledukwe (42), Jude Eze (36) and Refiloe Malwane (21) were remanded in custody upon appearance before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They will reappear before the same court on 29 December 2022,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the police for their coordinated efforts that led to the arrests.   

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Setheo sa Katiso sa temo-thuo, Taung College of Agriculture se tlile go rebolwa jaaka kholeje ya Thuto go simologa 1 Moranang 2023. Kitsiso eno, e dirilwe ke ba lefapha la Thuto e Kgolwane, Saense le Boitshimololedi (Department of High Education and Training).

Go ya ka rre Athenkosi Sibiza go tswa kwa kantorong ya molaodi-kakaretso kwa lefapheng la Thuto e Kgolwane, Saense le Boitshimololedi, are kitsiso e, e dirilwe go latela karolo 21 (3)(b)(i) ya molao wa thuto e kgolwane Nr 101 2997 jaaka o mametleletswe.

“Fano go neelanwa ka kitso gore ka 1 Moranang 2023, Tona ya Thuto e Kgolwane, Saense le Boitshimololedi o ikaelela go rebola Taung College of Agriculture e e kwa Taung jaaka kholeje ya Thuto go latela karolo 21(3)(a) ya molao wa thuto e kgolwane, Nr 102 wa 1997 jaaka e mametleletswe.

“Mabaka a thebolo e ya kholeje jaaka kholeje ya Thuto e Kgolwane ke gore, Sejule 4 ya Molaotheo wa Afrika Borwa e netefatsa gore thuto e kgolwane ke tshwanelego ya bosetshaba. Lefapha la thuto e kgolwane (DHET) le tlhamilwe go kgontsha neelano ka thuto e kgolwane e e momaganeng le go tlhalosiwa sentle, thuto ya ditiro mmogo le tlhabololo ya dikgono go dirisiwa ditheo tse di farologaneng tsa thuto morago ga sekolo,” Sibiza wa tlhalosa.

Gape Sibiza are, DHET, lefapha la temo-thuo mmogo le lefapha la ntshwafatso ya mafatshe le tlhabololo ya magae, a tsene go tumalano ya porothokholo go dirisana mo go mekamekaneng le maikarabelo a mokopanelwa a thuto le go dira mmogo go rebola dikholeje tsa setshaba tsa temo-thuo jaaka kholeje ya thuto e kgolwane eo e leng nngwe ya mefuta ya semolao e e akantsweng go molao wa thuto e kgolwane.

Are, kholeje ya thuto e kgolwane ke setheo se se ikemetseng se se dirang fa gare ga sebopego sa bobusi mo tlase ga lefapha la bosetshaba.

“Dikholeje tse, di tla letlelelwa go neelana ka ditifikheiti, dipoloma le digerata fa di fitlheletse ditlhokego tsa tumelelo ka khansele ya thuto e kgolwane, mme ditshwanelego tseno di kwadisitswe go letlhoneso la bosetshaba la ditshwanelego ke bolaodi jwa ditshwanelego jwa Afrika Borwa.

“Kitsiso eno e rebotswe go latela karolo 21(3)(b)(i) ya molao wa thuto e kgolwane, go gwetlha batho botlhe bao banang le kgatlhego go rulaganya ditlhagiso tse di kwadilweng tse di malebana le thebolo e e akantsweng,” Sibiza wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, ditlhagiso tsotlhe di tshwanetse go romelwa go kantoro ya molaodi-kakaretso, mme di lebisiwe go rre Athenkosi Sibiza ka emeile go Siziba.A@dhet.gov.za kgotsa ka tiriso nngwe fela e e amogelesegang semolao ya tlhaeletsano. Di tshwanetswe go fitlha go kantoro eno pele ga 16 Ferikgong 2023.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The North West Premier, Bushy Maape said his government will continue to ensure that efficient and effective service delivery to the people is realised. Maape said that will deepen social solidarity, and tackle poverty, unemployment, and inequalities as well as social ills such as Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F).

He also took the moment to wish all citizens of the province a Merry Christmas and Happy Prosperous New year.

“The end of the year is a special time for everyone as it marks the end of the journeys we have travelled through the year. It is a time to reflect on where we are as individuals, families, the province, and the nation as a whole.

“The accomplishments and challenges of 2022 should inspire us to focus on new possibilities and future endeavours. As we note many milestones we have reached and celebrated, we also acknowledge the concerted efforts we have implored,” said Maape.

He further said, as the world is celebrating the end of a productive year and recharging for the New Year, people should do that responsibly. Maape added motorists should drive carefully on the roads as they cannot afford to lose any more lives.  

“I, therefore, urge all road users to be cautious on our roads, obey all traffic rules and drive with careful consideration for others. Christmas is about the expression of love and compassion, a season of sharing.

“I call on all of our people to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate in our communities. As we go into the new year, let us continue to work together toward building a prosperous and peaceful province. On behalf of the North West Provincial government leadership, I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” he said.

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Theetso ya beile e e potlakileng mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong le motshameki wa maloba o diphatsa wa setlhopa sa kgwele ya dinao sa Mighty Boys FC, yo ga jaana eleng rakgwebo, Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), e tlhotse e busiditswe morago go fitlha 10 Ferikgong 2023 ke kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung.  

Bakang yo go begwang a rekisa seritibatsi sa nyaope, o ikuela gore a gololwe ka beile ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le Phenyo Katong (34).  

Bakang o letse a shadikantse matlho fa pele ga kgotlha-tshekelo le go neelana ka mabaka a gore, goreng a tshwanetse go neelwa beile. Magistrata one a utlwa fa Bakang gape a lebagane le kgetsi ya petelelo e a e sekang, mme a le mo beileng.

Jaanong, morrwa-rragwe Bakang, Phenyo Katong o tlhotse a neelana ka mabaka a gore, goreng a tshwanetse go neelwa beile.  

Balotofadiwa bale bane, ba ne ba tshwarwa ka kgwedi ya Moranang 2022 le go latofadiwa ka polao e setlhogo ya ga Thabiso Mothibedi (35). Tiragalo e, e diragetse kwa motseng wa Manthe gaufi le Taung.

Go begwa fa Mothibedi yo go kaiwang fa a ne a goga seritibatsi sa nyaope, a ne a tsena kwa ntlung ya ga Katong, mme a utswa matsebetsebe a madi a balelwang go R20 000 ga mmogo le motsoko wa boleng jwa R600. Go begwa fa morago ga tiragalo eno, Mothibedi one a le botsa phokoje le go leba kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Capt Sam Tselanyane, o bega fa segongwana seno sa banna ba ba neng ba tshakgetse, ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go batlana le Mothibedi. Go kaiwa fa ba ne ba mo fitlhela ale ko ga mothakga kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

“Dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa segongwana seno sa banna, sene sa thopa Mothibedi ka dikgoka, mme ba leba le ene kwa motseng wa Manthe. Go begwa fa bane ba fitlha ba mo gokelela mo genereiteng, mme ba mo digela dingalo go utlwala.

“Dipaltisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa banna ba, ba ne ba mo itlhaganedisa kwa kliniking ya selegae morago ga go lemoga fa a neela mowa. Go begwa fa Mothibedi a ne a netefadiwa fa tlhokofetse kwa kliniking. Balatofadiwa ba ne ba tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao,” Tselanyane wa bega.

Tiragalo e, e ne ya tshakgatsa baagi ba motse wa Manthe. Ene ya re ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go fisa dintlo dile tharo tsa balatofadiwa ga mmogo le go ja sejanaga sa bone sa mabaibai ka molelo.

Banna ba, ba ne ba tswelela go ka shadikanya matlho fa pele ga kgotlha-tshekelo makgetlho a le mmalwa. Fela kgetsi ya bone ene ya busediwa morago go fitlha di 15 Tlhakole 2023. Go kaiwa fa banna bano, ba ba kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, ba ne ba dira kopo e potlakileng ya beile.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A driver (41) died in a head-on collision on the N18 road between Taung Marble and Taung auction on Monday morning. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, warrant officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the police in Taung were on patrol when they came across an accident.

“It was found that, two vehicles collided head-on. The Emergency Medical Response Services (EMRS), who attended to the scene, certified the driver, Itumeleng Molobi dead on the scene. Molobi was driving one of the vehicles, while the driver of the second vehicle was taken to a local hospital for treatment,” van Rooyen said.

She further said, a case of culpable homicide was opened and is under investigation.

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By BAKANG MAKOTO

The Sebolai family from Morokweng village, near Taung is looking for their mother, Matshenolo Victoria Sebolai (71), who went missing. The North West police said, Sebolai was last seen on 8 December 2022 when she left her home and never returned.

Now, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, they request the community’s assistance in locating Sebolai. Myburgh further said a search was conducted around the village and surrounding areas after Sebolai’s disappearance.

“All leads were followed up without success. Sebolai is mentally ill and was wearing a green dress, with no shoes, nor hat. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Capt Solomon Phemelo on 082 469 0329 or the local police station.

“They can also call the Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App on your smartphone,” she said.

Meanwhile, the police advised the public to report missing persons timeously. According to www.gov.za, people do not need to wait for 24 hours.

“You can contact the Bureau for Missing Persons to report a missing person or go to your nearest police station and report that the person is missing as soon as you know they are missing. Take with you a recent photograph of the missing person so that it can be scanned into the National Bureau for Missing Persons database.

“This database is a Crime Stop project and police all over the country use it. Give any information that might help to identify the person, such as their age, height, hair colour, eye colour, and any identifying marks such as scars or tattoos. You may be asked to fill in forms giving all this information,” the statement said.

The www.gov.za website added that a detective will be assigned to the case and people should make sure that they have the name and contact details of the detective. According to the website, people should keep in contact with the detective who is assigned to the case and should give them any new information about the missing person that they get after they have reported the case.

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Motshameka-pele o di phatsa wa maloba wa setlhopa sa selegae sa Mighty Boys FC kwa motseng wa Manthe gaufi le Taung, o boela kgotlha-tshekelo ka Labobedi go lopa beile. Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31) yo jaanong eleng rakgwebo, gape a latofadiwa ka go rekisa seritibatsi sa nyaope, o latofadiwa ka go bolaya Thabiso “W” Mothibedi (35) kwa motseng wa Manthe gaufi le Taung.

Go begwa fa Bakang ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le morwa rragwe, Phenyo Katong (34), ba ne ba bolaya Mothibedi setlhogo fa kgwedi ya Mopitlwe ene e tlhola matsatsi ale 29 mono ngwaga.

Go begwa fa Mothibedi yo go kaiwang fa a ne a goga seritibatsi sa nyaope, a ne a tsena kwa ntlung ya ga Katong, mme a utswa matsebetsebe a madi a balelwang go R20 000 ga mmogo le motsoko wa boleng jwa R600. Go begwa fa morago ga tiragalo eno, Mothibedi one a le botsa phokoje le go leba kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Capt Sam Tselanyane, go begwa fa segongwana seno sa banna ba ba neng ba tshakgetse, ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go batlana le Mothibedi. Go kaiwa fa ba ne ba mo fitlhela ale ko ga mothakga kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

“Dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa segongwana seno sa banna, sene sa thopa Mothibedi ka dikgoka, mme ba leba le ene kwa motseng wa Manthe. Go begwa fa bane ba fitlha ba mo gokelela mo genereiteng mme ba mo digela dingalo go utlwala.

“Mme go begwa fa ba ne ba mo itlhaganedisa kwa kliniking ya selegae morago ga go lemoga fa a neela mowa. Go begwa fa Mothibedi a ne a netefadiwa fa tlhokofetse kwa kliniking. Balatofadiwa ba ne ba tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao,” Tselanyane wa bega.

Tiragalo e, e ne ya tshakgatsa baagi ba motse wa Manthe. Ene ya re ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go fisa dintlo dile tharo tsa balatofadiwa ga mmogo le go ja sejanaga sa bone sa mabaibai ka molelo.

Banna ba, ba ne ba tswelela go ka shadikanya matlho fa pele ga kgotlha-tshekelo makgetlho a le mmalwa. Fela kgetsi ya bone ene ya busediwa morago go fitlha di 15 Tlhakole 2023. Go kaiwa fa banna bano ba ba kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, ba ne ba tsenya kopo ya beile e potlakileng.

Ba ne ba neelwa tshono eo, mme ene ya re ka Labobedi wa beke e fitileng, balatofadiwa ba ne ba tshwanelwa ke go ipobola. Fela go ne ga dira jalo Lenyai ga mmogo le Mosimege morago ga gore Katong a latlhegelwe ke bana ba basimane ba le babedi. Go ya ka tshedimosetso ya sepodisi, bana ba ga Katong, ba ne ba le magareng ga basimane ba le bane ba ba magareng ga dingwaga dile 5 le 7, ba neng ba nwela kwa molapong fa ba ne ba ile go thuma.  

Kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung, e tla reetsa maiteko a beile a banna bano gape ka Labobedi.

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