Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Mmila o mogololwane o golaganyang motse wa Manthe le toropo ya Taung o butswe morago ga di buisano ma gareng ga majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe. Baagi ba motse wa Kolong, ba ne ba parega mmila o morgao ga go ip[elaetsa ka porojeke ya go tsenya dipeipi tsa metsi.

Go begwa fa rakontereka wa Phala Borwa a thapilweng ke masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati go ka tsenya dipeipi tsa metsi go tswa kwa modutelong wa metsi kwa motse wa Morokweng le go kgabaganya motse wa Manthe, Makwating, Kolong ga mmogo le Ranstad.

Go begwa fa rakonteraka a begile fa a tlile go thapa baagi ba le tlhano ga mmogo le mogokaganyi a le mongwe mo porojekeng kwa motseng wa Kolong. Fela, baagi ba ne ba nna kgatlhanong le seo, mme ba parega mmila o matsatsi a le mabedi le go batla tharabololo mo morerong ono.

Gaoralwe o tlhotse a kopane le baagi le go ka reetsa matshwenyego a bone, mme go nnile le tumalano ya gore porojeke e tla emisiwa nakwana kwa motseng wa Manthe go fitlhela go nna le tharabololo. Go begwa fa go rulagantswe kopano ya baagi mo letsatsing la Labotlhano, mme maphata otlhe a amegang a tla tsenela kopano eo.

“Baagi ba kwa Kolong ba ikuela gore rakonteraka a thape baagi ba le 15 eseng ba le ba 5 jaaka a kaile. Rakonteraka o thapetswe go ka tsenya di peipe tsa metsi kwa motseng wa Kolong, mme porojeke ke ya ngwaga.

“Jaanong selelo sa baagi ba kwa Kolong ke gore, rakonteraka one a thapa baagi ba le 15 kwa motseng wa Makwating, fela o batla go thapa baagi ba le tlhano kwa motseng wa bone. Mme se ba sa se tlhaloganyeng ke gore seno se diragetse ka nako eo fa porojeke e tshimolola,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.

O kaile fa motse wa Makwating, Ranstad ga mmogo le wa Kolong e kile ya wela kwa kgorwaneng ya bo 14 ko Baga-Maidi. Gaoraelwe are jaanong go thapiwa ga baagi bale 15, ba ne ba kopane le metse ya Baga-Maidi yotlhe, eseng fela kwa Makwating.  

“Ga jaana, motse wa Makwating, Ranstad ga mmogo le wa Kolong wa di ikarabela kwa kgorwaneng ya 12. Jaanong ha baagi ba Makwating ba thapiwa, ba thapiwa jaaka baagi ba kgorwana ya bo 12, eseng y abo 14 jaaka go ne go ntse mo malobeng.

“Ga re kake ra re ka gore gone go thapilwe baagi ba le 15 ka nako ele, jaanong go tshwanetswe ga thapiwa baagi ba le 15 gone jaanong. Rakonteraka o na le sebaka sa ngwaga go ka dira tiro e a e thapetsweng, mme o tla tshimolola ka go thapa baagi ba le 5 le mogokaganyi go tswa mo baaging, mme o tla laolwa ke tiro ya gagwe fa e ntse e tsweletse,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.

Gape Gaoraelwe are gongwe go tla diragala gore ha tiro entse e tsweletse, rakonteraka o tla boa gape a thapa baagi ba bangwe go oketsa palo. Gaoraelwe are gongwe e tla re ha porojeke e ya kwa bokhutlhong, ke gone gape ha rakonteraka a tla boelang kwa botlhanong jo one a bo thapa ha a tshimolola.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe o ganeditse magatwe a tletse-tletseng mo maranyane a boitapoloso, mme a kaya gore basha ba ba tsenetseng thupiso ya go nna borra le bo-mmapharakano ba buseditswe gae.

Go ya ka dipego, masepala ga wa latela molao fa one o tsweletsa lenaneo leno la ithutela-tirong (learnership). Jaanong go kailwe fa college e basha bano ba leng ko go yone e ba buseditse gae gonne go sena lekwalo la maitlamo go tswa kwa masepala.

Go begwa fa masepala o beetse thoko dimillione tsa diranta, mme ene ya re dikgwedi dile tharo tse di fetileng, one wa tsaya basha ba ka nna 30 go ba isa kwa college kwa porofenseng ya Free State go ka rupiseditswa tiro ya pharakano.

Fela, lenaneo leno le ne la tsosa dipuo-puo, morago  ga dipego tsa gore bontsi jwa basha ba ba tlhopilweng, ba tsentswe ka bokukuntshwane. Molekgotlha wa lekoko la sepolotiki la Patriotic Alliance (PA), Mmoni Letele one a ntsha mosi ka sekhurumelo, mme a gatisa video fa basha ba, bane ba rorwa ka dipalangwa gotswa mo Taung le go leba kwa Free State.

Letele o ane a mina ka nko ele nngwe, one a utlwala mo video a tsatsanka molekgotlha wa lekoko la ANC, Pinkie Mosinkiemang o go begwang fa a ne a digoga kwa pele ka dipotso tse di tlhokileng di karabo.

Letele one a tlhalosa fa khansele ya masepala e ise e tseye tshwetso gore basha ba ba thapiwe, mme a botsa gore basha ba bone ba thapilwe jang. Letele one a itelekela gaufi le sepalangwa se sene se rwele bash aba, mme le bone a ba tlhoma ka dipotso.

Fela, one a tswa ka ngobo e sa fotlhwa gonne, basha ba, ba ne ba  mo shebela go mo itse mme ba didimala fela jaaka ngwana a lailwe.

“Magatwe a tletse-tletseng, ebile a tlhalosa fa basha ba ba tsenetseng thupelelo ya go nna borra le bo-mmapharakano ba boetse gae, ga se nnete. Jaaka masepala, ga se re tsamaye re bolelelwe gore bana bao ba tshwanetse gore ba boele gae.

“Mme ke tla go netefaletsa gore le gompieno jaaka ke bua le wena jaana, bana bao ba tsweletse ka di thuto tsa bone tsa ikatiso kwa college.  Ga go kgonagale gore re le masepala, reka isa bana kwa ikatisong gape e be e nna rona ba re ba busetsang morago,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.

Mme Gaoraelwe o kaile fa basha ba, ba tla tswelela jalo kwa college go fitlhelela ba fetsa thupelelo ya bone. Gaoraelwe are ga gona lekwalo lepe le le tlhokegang le le netefatsang gore bana bao ba tlile go tlhapiwa fa ba fetsa ka thupelelo ya bone ya go ithutela-tirong.

“Ga go tlhokagale lekwalo le le netefatsang gore bana bao ba tlile bo thapiwa go ya ka molao. Jaaka rele masepala, re ka netefatsang gore go ile ga tsewa tshwetso ya gore go nne le lephata la pharakano mo masepaleng, mme seo ga se amane gope le thupelelo ya ithutela-tirong ya bana ba.

“Jaanong, tumalano e e teng ga e kopane gope le go thapiwa ga bana ba ba ileng college. Fa gona le tlhokego ya gore go nne le netefaletso ya lekwalo le le shupang gore go tlile go nna le phatlhatiro ya borra le bo mmapharakano mo masepaleng, ke tla leka go bona lekwalo leo go tswa mo go ba ba maleba,” Gaoraelwe o kaile jalo.

Gape are, ga itse sepe ka lekwalo le le tshwanetswe gore le romelwe kwa college go shupa gore bana bao ba tlile go thapiwa fa ba fetsa ka thupelelo. Gaoraelwe are go ka be go se botlhale go ka ntsha lekwalo leo, le mororo ba sa itse gore a basha ba, ba tlile go feleletsa thupelelo ya bone ka botlalo.

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder by the North West High Court sitting in the Klerksdorp. Three men, Thabo Thakampana (29), Katleho Ramuthalane (33) and the third suspect who is still at large, kidnapped and shot dead David Mahlapa Sekhola on 14 April 2019 in Klerksdorp.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame, three men were drinking at a local tavern in Kanana Township, however, they decided to go and drink in Klerksdorp CBD.

“So, they then requested David Mahlapa Sekhola, who was operating a public transport service in Kanana to go and drop them in town and agreed to pay R150. Sekhola was with two friends at the time, Mthakathi January Vicane and Fezile Kraai.

“Along the way, the three decided to disembark near Vaal Maseru Bus Depot. In his confession statement, Ramuthalane alleges that upon stopping the vehicle, Thakamphana shot Sekhola in the head and they started to rob him and his friends,” Mamothame said.

Ramutlhalane said they took the victims belonging including the deceased’s Kingdom of Lesotho driving licence, keys, wallet with cash, USB dongles and a cellphone. He further confessed that, he removed Sekhola from the vehicle and kidnapped his friends.

Mamothame said the convicts drove off to an unknown location and two kidnapped occupants, Vicane and Kraai managed to escape when the vehicle approached the railway section.

He said they then ran back to the crime scene where Sokhela was shot dead and found the police already there.

“They subsequently reported the incident and a search was conducted. The vehicle was traced through its tracking device and found at a house in Bophelong location in Vanderbilt Park. Thakampana was arrested while Ramuthalane and the third suspect managed to outrun the police.

“However, Ramuthalane was apprehended in Kanana Township the following day. Thakampana was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, fifteen years in each of the charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for kidnapping, seven years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and three years for possession of ammunition,” said Mamothame.

According to court, the sentences will run concurrently. Thakampana was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Ramuthalane pleaded guilty to robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping. He was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment for the offence and five years for kidnapping.

Mamothame said the court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

“The two sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The court also ordered that the one year eleven months he stayed in police custody while awaiting trial be factored into his jail term,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thakampana pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial was separated. In aggravation of sentence, Adv Benny Kalakgosi urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, equalling life imprisonment.

Judge Andre Pietersen indicated that the courts have a responsibility to promote respect for the law through appropriate sentencing. He described Thakampana as a remorseless individual, whose nefarious action brought enormous devastation to the family of the deceased, as well as the two surviving victims.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo lauded Kalakgosi and Warrant Officer, Menzile Sokhwemba for securing a favourable conviction on all charges.

“Serious and violent crimes need to be rooted out of our communities and we hope this conviction will demonstrate the seriousness in which the criminal justice system intends to deal with such offences,” she said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The wounded Banyana Banyana will try to redeem themselves when they face Australia in a friendly international match to be played in London next month. This will be historical as the two sides will be crossing swords for the very first time ever.

This encounter comes just days after the SASOL-sponsored Banyana Banyana hosted eight-time Copa América Femenina winners Brazil in two friendly internationals played in Johannesburg and Durban.

Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis said, this match is part of her team’s preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup. Ellis further said her players will get a chance to test themselves against the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts in a potentially mouth-watering encounter in London on 8 October 2022.

“We are excited to be playing against another top side so soon after facing Brazilians. Australia is the co-host of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup along with New Zealand. So, this gives us an opportunity to rectify our mistakes as well as test and challenge ourselves.

“It is another opportunity for improved performance and for players to raise their hands. We want to thank South African Football Association (SAFA) and SASOL for getting us strong opponents in our preparations for the World Cup. We are really looking forward to this fantastic game,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship, Nozipho Mbatha said: “We are happy that Banyana Banyana will be travelling to London to participate in another international friendly, where they will face the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-host, Australia.

“Australia is currently ranked 12^th in the world and we know they are a formidable team that will push our squad to dig deeper, even though is a friendly match. Banyana Banyana needs all the game time possible ahead of the World Cup – we know that coach Des and the technical team are working tirelessly to ensure the players are well prepared.”

Mbatha said they will continue to encourage the team to seize every opportunity presented to them and wish them all the best. She said Banyana Banyana will play their hearts out knowing that all South Africans are behind them.

Banyana Banyana had an eventful 2022 as they became WAFCON champions after beating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the continental tournament final in Rabat in July.

Ellis was named Women’s Coach of the Year at the 2022 CAF Awards also in July. It was the third consecutive time that she has won the award.

Andile Dlamini won the Goalkeeper of the Year Award, while Banyana Banyana was named the National Women Team of the Year. To put the cherry on top, Ellis’ charges were also named the Fair Play Team.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two illegal immigrants were convicted by Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court for unlawful possession of precious metals on 9 September 2022. Samuel Bandi (30) and Hardlife Makoto (28) were arrested by mine security guards outside the Rustenburg mine.

They were found to be in possession of platinum that they had stolen from the mining pipeline. The Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, the Hawks were roped into the investigation.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Tlangelani Rikhotso said: “Both accused made their first appearance at the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court, where they were remanded in custody owing to their illegal status in the country.

“They then made a series of court appearances until they were each sentenced to seven years’ direct imprisonment years for unlawful possession of precious metals, of which two years were suspended for five.”

Rikhotso said Makoto and Bandi were further sentenced to twelve months’ direct imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act. She said, therefore, convicts will each serve five years’ effective jail term.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A 48-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the North West High Court in Klerksdorp for killing his daughter (2). On 13 May 2021, Mokete Legodi went to his girlfriend’s home in Extension 20, Jouberton Township, in Klerksdorp and took their daughter without the mother’s consent, who was admitted to hospital at the time.

The family members who were taking care of the child assumed that Legodi would bring her back as he usually does, but later upon inquiry, he denied taking the child. The following day, the mother of the child was discharged from the hospital and embarked on a searching spree along with other family members, however, the results were futile.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, the matter was reported to the police and a missing person case was opened. Furthermore, Mamothame said, the investigations by the police led to the arrest of Legodi on 16 May 2021 and charged with kidnapping.

“This comes after he failed to tell the police about the child’s whereabouts. On 17 May 2021, the neighbours felt a bad smell coming out of Legodi’s house in Alabama Township, Klerksdorp. 

“Together with the child’s cousin, the neighbours investigated and searched the house. They discovered a lifeless body of a missing daughter concealed with a black plastic bag inside the ceiling,” Mamothame said. 

He added: “Subsequently, Legodi was charged with murder, but in his defence, he argued that he and the child fell while he was carrying her. Legodi said upon realising that his daughter had succumbed to the injuries from the fall, he panicked and was afraid to report the incident to the police,” Mmamothame said.

Legodi also told the court that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident. The murder charge was reversed to become a culpable homicide.

“Legodi was also sentenced to four years for defeating the ends of justice. The sentence should run concurrently with the three-year sentence, resulting in six years of direct imprisonment. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal the sentence was dismissed,” he said.

In aggravation of sentence, Adv Riekie Krause argued that, Legodi could have reported the matter to the police and sought help from neighbours and emergency services, however, he opted for the worst.

Judge Andre Pietersen, agreed with the state and further indicated that the community scowls over such offences. Pietersen also highlighted that, such incidents leave undesired psychological and emotional consequences within the family of the deceased.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo lauded the prosecutor and the investigating officer for their collaboration.

“This sentence signifies the need for parents to be the first line of protection for their children. It further teaches us the importance of reporting the crimes to authorities, no matter how difficult it may seem,” she concluded.

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Ka BAKANG MOKOTO

Sepodisi sa Taung se batlisisa kgetsi ya go kgweetsa botlhatshwa morago ga gore sejanaga sa modiro wa Toyota Tazz se thulane le kara ya ditonki kwa motseng wa Mokassa gaufi le Taung. Tiragalo e, e diragetse ka Lamatlhatso ka 20:30 mo bosigong.

Go ya ka dipego, go utlwala fa mokgweetsi wa sejanaga sa Toyota Tazz yo eleng moagi wa kwa Maphoitsile, one a lemoga fa kgarebe ya gagwe e tsamaile le banna ba le babedi ba kwa motseng wa Mokassa, mme a ba baya marowa.

Go begwa fa ene ya re go ba bona, one a thula ditonki ga mmogo le kara. Go ya ka sepodisi, bapalami ba le bararo ba ne ba bona dikgobalo, mme ba tabogisediwa kwa bookelong go ya go bona kalafi.  

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Aafje Botma wa tlhalosa: “Re ka netefatsa fa sepodisi se batlisisa kgetsi ya go kgweetsa botlhatshwa, mme bopaki bo setse bo tshotswe ke  sepodisi mo mokgweetsing wa sejanaga sa Toyota Tazz.

“Mokgweetsi one a le mongwe mo sejanageng, fa bapalami ba kara ya ditonki ba ne bale bararo.”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Most schools in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District continue to produce poor results. These startling revelations sent shock waves during the North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela’s roadshow in Vryburg on 9 September 2022.

Thirty schools performed poorly and obtained less than 70% in their 2021 Final Matric Examinations. The Greater Taung Sub-district is leading the pack with 14 most underperforming schools, followed by Lekwa-Teeman Sub-district with 11, Kagisano Molopo Sub-district has 5.  

In efforts to improve the matric results in the province, Matsemela said school principals were given an opportunity to present and outline their challenges. She said a team of experts advised them on how to overcome the situation.

“I also highlighted that, the underperforming schools are placed in the spotlight of the department. These schools are given special attention to get out of the trap zone of 70% by zooming into their problematic areas.

“These strategies have worked miraculously in the past. We know that, when they go back to their schools, they will implement them (strategies). These sessions paid dividends in improving the position of the province nationally,” she said.

Matsemela said, this year, the North West province is targeting to be amongst the top 3 positions in the country. She added that, the session lasted for two days as they started with the Greater Taung and followed by Naledi Sub-district.  

“The underperforming schools were also coupled with the best performing school principals to share best practices. The interventions are held under the theme of “Ngwana Sejo Wa Tlhakanelwa” loosely translated as “It takes the whole village to raise a child.”

Matsemela’s next stop will be Bojanala District this week to meet with underperforming schools’ principals.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Two suspects aged 23 and 34 respectively, were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation conducted at Utlwanang Township, near Christina on 8 September 2022. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said police from Vryburg K9 unit were on patrol when they noticed a suspicious-looking man standing at his gate.

“The police approached him, but he suddenly became nervous. They requested to search him and permission was granted. The police found 30 Methaqualone(Mandrax) tablets in his possession.

“Then the police proceeded to the house, where they found the owner of the house. They requested permission to search the house and it was granted. During the search, the police found a packet of Khat weighing 22grams,” van Rooyen said.

She said the drugs with a street value estimated at R9000 were confiscated. Van Rooyen said both suspects were arrested and charged with possession of drugs.  

“The two suspects are expected to appear in Christiana Magistrates’ Court on 13 September 2022.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Four suspects nabbed for illegal mining in Stilfontein are set to appear in court. Kenneth Baloyi (31), John Khumba (23), Paulos Macuvele (44), and a boy (17) were arrested on 2 September 2022 by the Illicit Mining Task Team.

North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma alleged that police held an operation on Friday morning at around 11:50am and observed a group of men, who were busy with illegal mining activities. Botma said the group allegedly ran away after realising that the police are pouncing on them. 

“However, four men were apprehended and they appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on 5 September 2022. They were remanded in custody until 12 September 2022 and boy, 17, was processed in accordance with the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No. 75 of 2008),” she said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena pointed out that illegal mining is a national priority and the police are relentless to ensure that those involved are brought to book.

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