By OBAKENG MAJE

The patrons were screaming for more during the historical #FillUp event that was held at Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng, North West. The music superstar, Refiloe “Cassper Nyovest” Phoolo brought his A-game and let revellers eat out of the palm of his hand.

The much-anticipated #FillUp event lived up to its expectations as people came out in numbers. Many revellers were happy to see Morafe group members performing together. They also sang along when their beloved prodigal son, Motswako rapper, Kabelo “Notshi” Oageng dished out his lyrics.

This was Cassper Nyovest’s first #FillUp event since the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the country. One of Morafe Group members, Lerothodi Moagi popularly known as Towdee Mac, who is also a music producer, songwriter and composer applauded Cassper Nyovest for bringing #FillUp to his hometown.

“This was Morafe coming back home and it was amazing to perform in front of our die-hard supporters. This was more than just entertainment, so big up to Cassper Nyovest. Remember, this is where it all started and it is great to be back here. 

“It was always the idea to bring the world to us as we never really embraced the idea of leaving our hometown and living elsewhere. So, bringing this event home will also boost the economy. We want to see this happening on a monthly basis not annually,” Moagi said.

He further said Morafe is working on various projects not only music. Moagi added that they want to see more musicians coming up and building the industry.

“We are more interested in bringing more workshops and induction programmes because we do not just need musicians in the industry, but various skills especially in North West,” he said.

The South African Idols judge and choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo shared a video on his Instagram applauding Cassper Nyovest for organising such an amazing event.  

“I want to dedicate this moment and give Cassper Nyovest his flowers. Cassper did the most amazing thing to witness with your naked eye.  What he did last night was Godly and nothing less of a miracle.  

“The young man is gifted, blessed and creative. Cassper Nyovest is the chosen one and the production was top notch including the sound. The performance was also great and the level of unity that was displayed was remarkable,” Mhlongo said.

He also encouraged artists to continue to support each other as that will grow the industry.

The Gusheshe hitmaker, Cassper Nyovest lauded all those who came out to support him. He said he was overwhelmed and humbled at the same time.

“This event had so many issues that I cannot even start to explain. The fact that it even happened was a miracle. Thank you so much for your support. I am nothing, but grateful.

“I am humbled and overwhelmed. I wanna come back next year. Are you all coming back to the #FillUpMmabathoStadium event? He asked.

Meanwhile, North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation (ACSR), Keneetswe Mosenogi said: “We are happy with the turnout as the province. At last, since the COVID-19 pandemic, our economy is going to be boosted. We have people travelling from various provinces like Gauteng, Limpopo, and Free State. This includes others from our neighbouring country, Botswana.

“This is also a great move for upcoming artists. They will be inspired by what Cassper Nyovest is doing and we are happy that he is tagging them along. This will advance and expose them to various stages, which will boost their careers.”

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 36-YEAR-OLD man is set to appear in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the alleged murder of his brother. The North West police said the suspect allegedly strangled his younger brother (34) at their home in Lerome village near Moruleng, outside Rustenburg.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said, the suspect and the victim allegedly had a quarrel prior to the atrocity. Funani further said, the police were called to the scene and found the victim dead. 

“The suspect was immediately arrested and charged with murder. Investigations into the matter continue,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said: “We would like to condemn the incident and urge family members to solve their differences in an amicable way. We would like to applaud the Mogwase police for the swift arrest of the suspect.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The aspirant community television station, TV North West (TVNW) is set to host its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday at the City of Life Community Centre, the City of Life Estate in Letlhabile near Brits.

The chairperson of TV North West, Lesiba Kgwele said, this will also form part of public consultation processes as TV North West wraps its community television license application. Kgwele further said, they are vying for one of the three licenses that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has earmarked for the North West.

“The board will also use the AGM to be hosted from 9am to 12pm at the City of Life Community Centre, City of Life Estate Letlhabile K along the Brits-Letlhabile Road to introduce additional board members and its professional team with the extensive broadcast experience to stakeholders and members of the public.

“After giving an update of progress that the board has registered, we will, beyond the AGM, intensify our effort to clean up our application for full compliance and work tirelessly to meet the 12 January 2023 closing date,” he said.

Kgwele added that, their focus henceforth will be to ensure that their bid is flawless and competitive. He said, they have now overcome the major stumbling block, which was the two years of existence requirement that saw them and 41 other applicants being disqualified in the previous round.

“The ICASA Public Provincial workshop in respect of licensing for Community Television Broadcasting Services held on 15 November 2022 has greatly empowered us to address objections from our previous application, which were pointed to us during the informative session.

“The TV North West board is humbled by the overwhelming support and endorsement it has received from various stakeholders across the province. We are confident that, we have attracted the requisite leadership skills with dynamic expertise coupled with broadcast technical experience,” said Kgwele.

He said this will be necessary for TV North West to live up to its commitment to enrich and empower the province and its citizens. Kgwele said this will be done through compelling programming, powered by an authentic drive to engage, educate, entertain, inform and inspire.

“The Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) will offer the licensed station the ability to reach historically marginalised rural communities, as it broadcasts across the province, throughout the country, and with a spillage into neighbouring countries,” he concluded.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it will oppose the bail of three men, who were arrested for kidnapping and killing a Bangladeshi national businessman, Pierre Ahmed Mujunder. 

It is alleged that on 22 November 2022, Aobakwe Ntsomane (32), Modisa Ralokwakweng, (31), and Kabelo Badimo (32) kidnapped Mujunder (40), who owned a supermarket at Hartswater and drove him to Magogoe village, near Mahikeng.

According to police, the deceased was kidnapped, while opening the gate at his home. The accused allegedly demanded ransom money of R1 million from his family. Mujunder was allegedly rescued by the police two days after he was kidnapped.

The deceased was allegedly found tied into a chair at the house, where one of the accused stays. The police allegedly untied him and he collapsed. Mujunder was certified dead at the scene.

Ntsomane, Ralekwakweng, and Badimo were arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder after the police traced the vehicle that they were driving. The vehicle was also found in Magogoe village.

The NPA spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The accused made their first court appearance at Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 28 November 2022. The case was postponed to 9 December 2022 for formal bail application, which the state intends to oppose.

“The investigations are still underway to uncover the real facts in this case.” 

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A R400 million tender corruption case against four accused was postponed by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court to 30 March 2023. Tebogo Van Wyk (40), Nothando Dube (44), Sipho Levy Phiri (39) Thabang Mohlokoleng (54) were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in North West.

The accused are facing 34 counts, including fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, The Hawks report revealed that the accused were arrested in Gauteng and Mahikeng, respectively on 29 September 2022.

“The report further indicates that in 2014, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) embarked on the process to reintroduce commercial aircraft to the province’s two airports, Mahikeng and Pilanesberg on a subsidy estimated at R400 million.

“The amount of R183 million was then paid to SA Express between 2015 and 2017 for the services rendered by the ground management companies, which Van Wyk, Dube and Phiri are linked to. The state alleges that off the R83 million, an amount of R51 million was channelled irregularly through the charged companies,” Mamothame said.

He further said, the North West government allegedly appointed S.A Express as a service provider to render the service, but this was done without following the proper supply chain management processes. Mamothame added that, the irregularly secured agreement is said to have been signed by the four accused.

“All three companies, Batsamai Investment Holdings, Sevilex Investment Holdings and Lavao, Estevao (PTY) LTD were appointed to do the ground handling services and were indirectly owned by Dube and Phiri.

“The irregularities prejudiced the North West government of millions of rands that could have been directed to service delivery. The case was recommended for investigation by the Zondo Commission, and the DPCI will continue the investigations as recommended,” said Mamothame.

It is alleged that, Mohlokoleng signed on behalf of the North West Community Safety and Transport Management, as the then accounting officer in his capacity as the Head of Department (HoD). Mamothame said the deal was allegedly riddled with procurement irregularities and monies were paid for the services not rendered.

“This will be conducted in phases, with a possibility of more charges and arrests being effected. The case was postponed to await the outcome of the application that was made to the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, for more charges of racketeering to be added and for the matter to be centralised, as some offences were commissioned in the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Local Division.

“Further particulars relating to the case have been shared with the defence attorneys and the state has committed to share the remaining documents before the matter resumes in March 2023,” he said.

Van Wyk was granted R500 000 bail, R35 000 for Dube, R150 000 for Phiri and R50 000 for Mohlokoleng. Their bail conditions are that, they should not evade court on the next appearance, refrain from interfering with witnesses, and inform the investigating officer should they wish to leave their area of jurisdiction.

Mamothame said the court granted Mohlokoleng five days to submit his passport after he indicated that his passport was missing. He said Mohlokoleng was also ordered to report to his nearest police station every day between 06h00 and 18h00 until the passport is surrendered.

“The state will in this period provide the defence attorneys with the indictment and other necessary documents in preparation for trial,” said Mamothame.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

More than 170 000 jobs were saved through the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) dispute resolution initiatives since 2016, said CCMA Executive Director, adv Sello Morojane.

According to Morajane, one job loss is one too many in the current challenging economic climate. He said the CCMA’s posture is to remain a dispute resolution agent and everything else will be about support services.

“On the eve of COVID-19, the CCMA was in the throes of embarking on a number of innovations and these had to be shelved. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic risk has subsided, it is time the organisation does things differently.

“All of us must adjust, adapt and evolve with time without going backward. COVID-19 has changed the course of time and how we do things. So, does our attitude towards work and how we tackle cases. There were things that, we had for the future, but the future came to us,” he said.

Morajane emphasised that the CCMA users will continue to remain a top priority. He also appeals to commissioners to avoid postponing cases unnecessarily and always engage with clients.

“We are an institution of statutory creation – born out of the belly of South Africa’s constitution led by the values of the constitution – and we live those values. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions closed down. However, the CCMA stepped up.

“It was one of those times when our leadership skills were tested. Some of our officials died, while others were infected. Also, some have not healed because the COVID-19 pandemic is still in our midst. We served the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and stood the test of time,” said Morejane.

He further said when the National Minimum Wage (NMW) was introduced, it was not an Act, but a statement – about economic development. Morejane added that they must ensure that, it is enforced.

“The importance of language and culture – in dispute resolution especially during the conciliation stages. Parties understand the dispute better in their own language. Clients should be encouraged to speak in the language of their choice untranslated.

“The switch to English often goes with ego. We must unlock the use of 11 official languages, then we will see a radical change in dispute dissolution. I also want to caution commissioners against finalising an award and later walking away,” said Morejane.

He said commissioners must ensure that they enforce the execution in the name of social justice.

“The value of the award is in the execution. So, the idea is to complete and close the deal, then there will be true value in what we do. There is also a need to train commissioners on the rules and guidelines. Another project of concern to CCMA is the operation model and funding design.

“Since the CCMA opened its doors more than 25 years ago, it has handled more than 3.7 million cases. In the process, the CCMA issued more than 547 000 awards, and 130 00 of those awards were enforced. The enforcement of awards is a worry for us,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The opposition parties at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) have opened a fraud case against the beleaguered Dikagisho Mokoma, who is the municipal Director of Corporate Services.  

This comes after Mokoma was implicated in the findings of the investigative report tabled by the Matshego Ramagaga Attorneys. The independent law firm was appointed by the municipality to investigate allegations of misconduct against Mokoma.

She allegedly misled the previous council over danger allowance for the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in the municipality ‘illegally’ paying senior managers and directors a monthly R2500 as danger allowance, instead of a standard flat rate of R1500.

According to the investigative report, the municipality has lost R508 500 due to Mokoma’s alleged conduct. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor in the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mmoni Letele said, the council delegated the former Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi to commission investigations against Mokoma.

“So, during the council meeting, we discussed two important items that formed part of our agenda. Firstly, there was the implementation of a council resolution. You will remember that, on 9 October 2022 during a special council meeting, we took a resolution that the danger allowance policy be adjusted.  

“So, we expected the acting municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane to outline his plans on recouping those R1000s that were paid to senior managers and directors. There was also a representation of investigative report on danger allowance, including findings on the allegations that Mokoma has misled the previous council,” she said.

Letele further said, the investigative report findings suggest that, Mokoma has misled the council. She added that, the LLF and council resolved that each employee should get R1500 as the standard flat rate.

“The findings of the investigative report also suggest that the initial agreement was a draft, but Mokoma unilaterally amended it. When she was asked why did she ‘illegally’ amend the draft report, she gave an excuse that she did this in order to compensate senior managers and directors because they do not get overtime.

“So, she amended the LLF agreement fraudulently, hence we opened a criminal case. As usual, the ANC councillors used their majority and refused to implement the recommendations of the investigative report even though it was adopted and seconded. They suggested that the report be deferred for three weeks without any valid reasons,” said Letele.

According to Letele’s suspicions, the ANC councillors deferred the report for three weeks because they know that will mark the end of Mokoma’s suspension. Letele said, the ANC councillors want Mokoma’s three months suspension to lapse so that she can return to work without facing any disciplinary hearing.  

“Mokoma should be held accountable and pay back R508 500 that the municipality has lost due to her decisions. The fraudulent amendment executed by her has cost the municipality to lose R508 500 due to those extra R1000s paid to senior managers and directors.

“This money should have been allocated for service delivery. But the municipality has lost money because of Mokoma’s action and manipulation,” she said.

The African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor, Salvation De Kuker shared the same sentiments. De Kuker said they hope to find a lasting solution to this matter.

“It cannot be possible that the ANC councillors use their majority to go against what is right. So, we believe that the law enforcement authorities will assist us to ensure that justice prevails,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “A case of fraud was opened at the Taung Police Station against an employee of the Greater Taung Local Municipality on Tuesday.

“However, no arrest has been made at present and an investigation is underway by the Taung Detectives.”

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Mokgatlho o eseng wa puso wa Relebone Young People’s Organisation wa kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng gaufi le Taung, o tlhotse o tshwere keteko-moletlo wa ntwa kgatlhanong le tshotlakako ya basadi le bana mo letsatsing la gompieno. Sebui segolo kwa moletlong o, ene ele mokgogo wa sekolo-potlana sa Setshwarapelo, Obed Sekawana.

Sekawana o rotlweditse thata gore go nne le tekatekano magareng ga bo rre le bomme. Gape o ikuetse go borre go se dirise maatla a bone go ka gatelela bomme.

“Go sa utlwaneng le go nna le dikakanyo tse di farologaneng ga go neele ope maatla a go ka keteka. Borre ba le bantsi ba na le go bua puo ya gore, o mang gore o katla go nkganetsa mo gaaka?

“Gape, ba feleletsa ba re ke bone ditlhogo tsa malapa. Fela, nnete ke gore ga re gane gore rre ke tlhogo, mme re kopa gore re lebelele seemo sa tlhogo gore ke se se ntseng jang. Noga ena le thamo, mme e itse metsamao yotlhe ya tlhogo,” Sekawana wa tlhalosa.

O kaile fa tlhogo e ka seke ya sheba go sele, mme thamo e seo. Gape, Sekawana are, ga gona gore tlhogo e ka nagana sengwe, mme thamo e seo.

“Jaanong, ha o le rre o le tlhogo, itse gore mosadi ke thamo. Mo tlotle fa ana le maikutlo a farologaneng le a gago, gonne bobedi bo bolaya noga. Re tshwanelwa ke gore re rate basadi ba ba rona ga mmogo le bomme ba. Bare Modimo ha fetsa go tlhola sengwe le sengwe mo lefatsheng, o ile a bopa Adam.

“Mme ene ya re a lemoga gore Adam o jewa ke bodutu, one a mo direla molekane eleng Efa go tswa mo legopong la gagwe. Rona re le borre, re a patelesega gore re fetole tsela e re akanyang ka yone. Fela, seo se tla diragala fa re ka simolola go tsaya batho ba bo mme ka go lekana mo ditseleng tsotlhe tsa botshelo,” Sekawana wa tlhaosa.

Are jaaka setshaba, ba na le kgwetlho e kgolo ya go ka godisa bana ba basimane le go ba ruta gore basimane le basetsanyana ba lekana. Sekawana are ngwana wa mosetsanyana ga tlhodiwa go nna mmotlana go ngwana wa mosimane.     

Motsamaise wa setheo, Charity Kujane o kaile fa moletlo o, ele wa ngwaga le ngwaga. Kujane are ba tlhomile setheo se ka ngwaga wa 2019, mme o kwadisitswe semmuso.

“Maitlhomo le maikaelelo a mokgatlho o wa rona, ke go thusa bana ba dingwaga tse dileng magareng ga 13-25 gore ba kgone go ribolola bokgoni jwa bone. Gape, re leka le go ema kgatlhanong le dikgwetlho tse di amang matshelo a bone jaaka tiriso e botlhatswa ya diritibatsi, tshotlhakako ya bong le tse dingwe.

“Mo letsatsing la gompieno, mokgatlho o ketikile tlhomo semmuso ya matsatsi ale some-thataro kgatlhanong le tshotlhakako ya bong, segolo bogolo mo basading le mo baneng. Gareng ga batsenela moletlo go ne go na le kemedi go tswa kwa kgotlha-theo molao ya bosetshaba, Bridget Tlhomelang,” Kujane wa tlhalola.

Kgabagare, mokhuduthamaga wa katlatlelo-leago mo Bokone Bophirima, Boitumelo Moiloa are: “Dipalopalo tsa ditshotlakako kgatlhanong le basadi le bana di ntse di fokotsega. Jaanong, re tshwanelwa ke gore re eme ka maoto. Re ikuela mo go lona bagaetsho gore le bege ditiragalo tsa tshotlakako kgatlhanong le basadi le bana. Ha o itse gore moagisani wa gago o dula le seganka, ebile se dula fela se mo digela dingalo, se didimale, gonne ke maikarabelo a rona re le setshaba go ka begela sepodisi ka ditiragalo tseo.

“Le fa o sa bue leina la gago, go bega dikgetsi tseo go ka pholosa botshelo jwa moagisani. A re tlogele go fitlha ditiragalo tsa tshotlakaka kgatlhanong le basadi le bana, gonne ke rona re tlileng go lela fa mongwe wa losika a ka latlhegelwa ke botshelo,” Kujane wa tlhalosa.

O kaile fa dikgetsi tsa tshotlakako kgatlhanong le basadi le bana di etegela kwa sedikeng sa Ngaka Modiri Molema. Moiloa gape o kopile gore setshaba se seka sa fitlha batho ba ba tsweletsang ditlhekefetso kgatlhanong le basadi le bana.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The former employee of Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) and a whistle-blower, Thuso Bloem might get justice after 11 years. Bloem, who was working at the embattled municipality as a senior admin clerk, was allegedly dismissed in 2012 after lifting a lid on the alleged corruption that was taking place at the municipality.

However, Bloem reported this matter to the Public Protector’s office. The matter was ruled in his favour and the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s remedial action gave the municipality three months to reinstate Bloem and pay him all the money he would have received since 2012, had he not been dismissed.

Mkhwebane also instructed the municipality to look into strategic measures that will efficiently address employees’ disclosures.

Recently, the municipality appeared before the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs after it failed dismally to implement the recommendations of the Public Protector.  

The Portfolio Committee chairperson, Aaron Mocwana said, this matter was brought to their attention through a petition. Mocwana further said, this is a long outstanding matter and the municipality should just indicate how speedily it can deal with the matter.  

“I became so surprised and shocked that every leader being the Premiers, MECs, Mayors, and political leaders in various formations have come across this particular matter, but failed to address it.  

“We have also visited the municipality with our legal team to verify issues raised by Bloem. This matter dated back as far as 2011 waring a certain municipality manager seconded to the municipality by the former Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the late Sicelo Shiceka,” he said.

Mocwana further said, the former municipal manager has allegedly misused the funds of the council in various ways. He added that, there is evidence attached by the former mayor to suspend the former municipal manager, Mpho Mofokeng.

“What is surprising is that, the municipal council managed to use the same information it received from the whistle-blower to suspend the former municipal manager, but failed to protect him.

“We want to understand, why the Public Protector’s findings were not implemented. Bloem’ suspension was irregular because he was suspended by Mofokeng, who was also in suspension,” said Mocwana.

He said the allegations raised by Bloem from SAMWU, were utilized by the municipal council against the former Municipal Managers, Meokgo Matuba and Mpho Mofokeng. Mocwana said it is alleged that Mofokeng spent R56 000 of the municipal council to fix his damaged car and irregularly awarded the tender worth R188 000 to someone ‘bearing’ the same name as himself.

“Mofokeng also allegedly hired a car, while he was still receiving a travelling allowance. These allegations including of Lazarus Mofokeng, who is alleged to be the cousin of Mofokeng, were utilized to suspend the former municipal manager.

“The municipal council should not just deal with this matter in the simplest form, but should also take responsibility, which we will put in writing. It is a glaring case, where people are powers unto themselves. The municipality was supposed to either allow this person to come back to work or reach an agreement,” said Mocwana.

He also suggested that, the municipality should take Bloem in for a psychological assessment because he does not look fine.    

Meanwhile, the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said: “The report that we brought before the committee, was just to indicate that the municipality has decided to take the Public Protector’s findings regarding this case into a review. However, we think it will be a futile exercise after you have summed it up.

“I must say as the leadership of the municipality that, what the former municipal employee has been put through is degrading. However, it must be understood that this particular case has never been taken to council.”

Gaoraelwe said they were only made aware of this case as part of the cases that were on the list of litigation registrar at the municipality. He said, they do not see any problem going and revoking Bloem’s irregular suspension and enforcing the reinstatement.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

An arson case against seven accused from Manthestad village, near Taung was postponed to 21 February 2023 by Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for further investigations.

The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), former Taung Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32), Ali Sakiele (50) and Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) were arrested for allegedly torching two houses and a bakkie belonging to the alleged drug lord and businessman, Bakang “Mahommed” Katong and his brother, Phenyo (34).

In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest and accused Katong and other three suspects of murder. It is alleged that the Katong brothers, Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) brutally killed Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood.

The police preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung and Katong along with his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.

Upon arrival, the group of men allegedly chained the deceased to a generator and assaulted him. Subsequently, the accused allegedly transported Mothibedi to Manthe clinic where he was declared dead on his arrival.

Meanwhile, advocate Tebogo Letloleleng, who is representing all seven accused said, his clients are out on R500 bail each and charged with three counts of arson including looting.

“When we discuss the matter from a legal point of view, there is what we call a recent possession. For example, you burn the house now and you are arrested immediately. However, the incident took place three months ago, and only now, have the police arrested my clients.

“In actual fact, it took them three months to make arrests. All along, the police went out to look for statements, which might be true or not,” he said.

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