Category Archives: NEWS

Monna o latofadiwang ka go ja polony ya bana o atlholetswe dingwaga di le 18 mabapi le polao  

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

20 Motsheganong 2025- Monna wa dingwaga di le 21, wa kwa motseng wa Manokwane, gaufi le Taung, o kolopetswe dingwaga di le 18 kwa ntlo-lefitshwana ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung. Se setla morago ga gore Thato Darlington Lekaowa a tlhabe le go bolaya malomagwe, Jonas Othusitse Lekaowa (46) ka thipa.

Sebueledi sa bosekisi (National Prosecuting Authority) sa kgaolo mo Bokone Bophirima, Sivenathi Gunya are tiragalo e, e diragetse fa Tlhakole a ne a tlhola matsatsi a le 14 ka ngwaga wa 2020. Gunya are go ile ga runya kgakgauthano ya mafoko magareng ga Thato le moswi, Onthusitse.

“Go begwa fa Thato a ne a kgalemelwa ke mamalomagwe morago ga go ja polony ya bana ya sekolo. Se, se ile sa baka bosula jo botseneletseng magareng ga Thato le malomangwe. Go begwa fa Thato a ne a tlhaba malomagwe ka thiba mo mokwatleng.

“Go begwa fa Thato a ne a tsena ka lenga la seloko morago ga tiragalo. Moswi one a tabogisetswa kwa bookelong, fela one a begwa fa a setse a ragile kika mo kgorogong ya gagwe kwa bookelong. Kgetsi ya polao e ile ya bulwa kgatlhanong le Thato, mme o ile a tshwarwa,” Gunya wa tlhalosa.

Gunya are Thato one a neelwa beile. Gunya are fela Thato o ile a palelwa ke go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go rebolweng ga lekwalo-tshwaro kgatlhanong le ene.

“Thato o ile a tshwarwa gape, mme a dula kwa ntlo-lefitshwana go fitlhelela a atlholwa. Le fa go ile ga nna le tiego mo kgetsing e, kwa bofelong e ile ya tswelela.

“Thato one a bega fa a sena molato, fela mosekisi, Rebaona Mokgopa, o ile a neelana ka bopaki jo bo kwenneng kgatlha le ene. Gape Mokgopa, o ile a bontsha fa Thato a sa bontshe maikotlhao a tiro e a e dirileng,” Gunya wa tlhalosa.

Magistrata, Bhuti Zulu o ile a tlhalosa bomasisi jwa kgetsi e, mme a tlhalosa fa dikgotlhatshekelo di tshwanelwa ke go tsaya dikgato tse di gagametseng kgatlhanong le ba ba molato. Zulu are bosenyi jwa mothale o, bo tlisa go sa iketla mo baaging.

Kgabagare, tlhogo ya bosekisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Dr Rachel Makhari, o akgotse babatlisisi ba kgetsi ga mmogo le bosekisi.

“Katlholo e, e tla romela molaetsa o gagametseng le go lemosa badiri ba bosenyi gore NPA e tsaya dikgato kgatlhanong le bosenyi,” Makhari wa tlhalosa.

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Orbit College FC receives financial backing 

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Picture: The Orbit College FC players

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

20 May 2025- The North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Orbit College Football Club, a rising star in South African football, as the team is sitting on position 2 on its National First Division campaign with 53 points after 30 games. The department said Orbit College FC has made significant strides on the national football stage, and their journey has been met with admiration and support from the North West Provincial Government. 

The North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said as a testament to this commitment, the department has already invested over R1 million into the team’s development and operations this season. Sebolecwe said during the playoffs held in Pietermaritzburg, the department covered critical expenses, including transport and accommodation totalling to R490 000.

“This support ensured that the players and technical staff could focus solely on their performance without the burden of logistical challenges. In celebration of the team’s historic promotion to the NFD, the department further

awarded Orbit College FC a financial token of appreciation amounting to R300 000, a move that was widely praised by sports lovers across the province.

“Beyond once-off contributions, for the 2024/25 financial year, the department signed a memorandum of understanding that will cover the costs of all accommodation for both home and away matches, a commitment worth more than R700 000,” he said. 

Sebolecwe further said the long-term support is part of a broader strategy to develop grassroots talent and elevate the profile of sport in the North West. He added that Orbit College FC represents the talent and resilience of the province. 

“Their dedication on and off the field reflects the spirit of the North West, and we are proud to walk this journey with them. The department is committed to supporting the team even further.

“The department has called on the people of the North West to rally behind the team as they continue their campaign. This is our team, our pride. Let us support them in every way possible in the stands, in our communities, and through our collective encouragement,” said Sebolecwe.

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC crowned Champions

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Picture: Mamelodi Sundowns FC players celebrating

By REGINALD KANYANE 

20 May 2025- Mamelodi Sundowns concluded their league campaign with a 2-0 victory on Sunday night when they hosted Magesi FC at Loftus Versfeld. Lucas Ribeiro was the hero of the night as his brace saw the team record their 15th victory in their backyard.

It only took four minutes for Masandawana to break the deadlock. It came through Arthur Sales’ awareness inside the area, who delivered it to Iqraam Rayners. With a drop of a shoulder, Rayners then handed it to Ribeiro, who only flicked it towards the goal with a backheel pass.

A few minutes later, Ribeiro almost made it two for his side. The ball came from Aubrey Modiba from a tight angle on the left flank. He crossed it to Ribeiro, whose shot deflected and went slightly wide.

In the 18th minute, Rayners drove the ball to the danger zone and shot it, but the shot was cleared by the goalkeeper with his feet. Four minutes later, a second goal was witnessed at Loftus Versfeld, and it was Ribeiro again. 

After being awarded a free-kick just a short distance from the area, Marcelo Allende handed the ball to Ribeiro. From range, Ribeiro shattered the net to double the advantage for Downs.

Another set-piece almost saw the Brazilians pulling a third goal before the break. Teboho Mokoena had taken the free-kick, which he fired onto the target from range. 

The goalkeeper, however, with his feet again and his body on the ground, kicked the ball away. Magesi tried to take the ball to Downs’ half, but the rear-guard of coach Miguel Cardoso was steadfast and cleared any chances to deny them a goal.

This saw the hosts head to the interval with a two-goal advantage.

The Magesi side witnessed in the second stanza looked more threatening, and they were attacking the ball. They opened the last 45 minutes of the game by taking the ball to the danger zone. 

Luckily, Ronwen Williams sniffed the danger and quickly moved from his mark to snatch the ball. For a while, the Brazilians remained patient in their half, until Modiba made an interception, then a clever defence-splitting pass to Rayners, who fired a shot, but the keeper caught it.

A mistake was made by the Downs defence near the area towards the end of the encounter, but Malibongwe Khoza managed to clear the danger away to maintain the clean sheet.

Sales came again with a big chance after Peter Shalulile handed him the ball on the right flank. His shot was smacked away to deny him his first goal of the night.

It’s the visitors who concluded the match with an attempt, but Khoza, again, cleared the ball away, this time, with his chest, then a kick. In the end, Masandawana collected the maximum points and managed to maintain a clean sheet.

Sundowns finished their Betway Premiership campaign with a perfect home record, defeating Magesi 2-0 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday.

The league champions won all fourteen of their league home games this season in the process of bagging their 24th win of their Betway Premiership campaign.

The victory means Masandawana have broken the record for the most wins in a 34-game season in a campaign of just 28 games. The record was held by Manning Rangers with 23 wins in the 1996/97 season, and equalled by Kaizer Chiefs in the 1998/99 season and Sundowns in the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons.

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Monna wa kwa Lesotho o tshwere ka sethunya 

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Setshwantsho-papiso: Sethunya se se seng mo molaong

Ka BAKANG MOKOTO 

20 Motsheganong 2025- Monna wa kwa nageng ya Lesotho o tshwerwe mabapi le go tshola sethunya se se seng mo molao. Go begwa fa monna o wa dingwaga di le 53, a tshwere kwa masimo kwa motseng wa Manokwane, gaufi le Taung ka Lamatlhatso. 

Go ya ka mongwe wa baagi o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe, monna o, go belaelwa a le mo nageng ntle le ditokomane tse di maleba. Go begwa fa a ne a tshwarwa ga mmogo le bana  ba gagwe. 

Sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are, sepodisi se ile sa longwa-tsebe mabapi le monna o nang le sethunya se se seng mo molao. Van Rooyen are sepodisi se ile sa bona lekwalo la go puruputsha, mme ba leba kwa lefelong le le kailweng.     

“Mmelaelwa o ile a tshwarwa ka sethunya se se seng mo molaong, mme o tlhageletse kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la maabane,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa. 

Kgabagare, go ya ka dipego tse di sa totobalang, kgetsi ya monna o gay a dula kwa kgotlhatshekelo, mme go begwa fa a tsene ka lenga la seloko.  

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A man sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for murder

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Picture: A man holding knife smeared with blood and still dripping/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

20 May 2025- A man sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Pretoria North Regional Court for stabbing a man to death. On 23 January 2024, in the evening, Tshireletso Manamela (20), went to the local tuck shop to buy cigarettes in Soshanguve Township, near Pretoria. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said while Manamela was at the tuck shop, he came across the accused, Tebogo Boikie Selowa (31), who pointed at him with a knife. Mahanjana said a community member who was nearby witnessed the altercation and tried intervening, but Selowa pushed him away.  

“Thereafter, he proceeded to stab Manamela twice in the neck, and he died on the scene because of his injuries. Selowa then fled the scene. However, the following morning, he handed himself over to the Soshanguve Police Station.

“In court, Selowa pleaded not guilty to the charge of intentionally killing the deceased. Instead, he told the court that he acted out of self-defence. However, the state prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez led compelling evidence from witnesses who were on the scene when the incident happened and proved that indeed Selowa intentionally stabbed the deceased unprovoked,” she said. 

Mahanjana further said during sentencing proceedings, Selowa, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years’ direct imprisonment because he is young and has also shown remorse by apologising to the family of the deceased. She added that Du Preez argued against the deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence because Selowa was convicted of a serious offence that is very prevalent in the court’s jurisdiction. 

“Furthermore, she said that the deceased was a young man, who had a bright future ahead of him and in just minutes, his entire future was robbed from him. His family was also robbed of a son. Du Preez argued that Selowa showed no sincere remorse for the offence because he only apologised to the family of the deceased after he was found guilty of the offence. 

“She also handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer, Maano Magondo, where the deceased parents stated how the death of their son left them traumatised and heartbroken, as they had hopes that their son would grow up and make them proud,” said Mahanjana.

In delivering the judgement, Magistrate Pieter Nel agreed with the state that Selowa did not show sincere remorse for the offence and continued to add that a young man’s life was taken away from him for no apparent reason. 

“Unfortunately, our country has a high criminal rate as such, the community expects the court to protect them from perpetrators such as this one, by removing them from society. The VIS clearly shows the court that the murder of the deceased left a severe and traumatic impact on the family. 

“Therefore, I found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. I also ordered that he be declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.

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 ‘Declare high rate of unemployment a disaster’

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Picture: The SACP Provincial Secretary, Madoda Sambatha/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE 

20 May 2025- The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the North West has called on the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi to declare sky-rocketing unemployment as a disaster. This comes after North West recorded the highest unemployment rate this quarter of 40.4%. 

SACP provincial secretary, Madoda Sambatha said the unemployment in the province relates to the mining industry. Sambatha said this is one of the sectors that contributed negatively to the employment figures. 

“I was highly shocked that our unemployment statistics in the province are not decreasing. While it is not also decreasing across the province, ours is the worst component. Surprisingly, we are credited as one of the provinces that have mineral deposits still not extracted from the ground. 

“So, we call on Mokgosi to declare unemployment statistics and status in the province as a provincial disaster. Each provincial department and private sector must be convened to come up with options on how to address the disaster of unemployment,” he said. 

Sambatha further said unemployment is easily a disaster of hunger and inequality. He added that they call for the implementation of the National Development Strategy that was adopted by the government. 

The ANCYL Provincial Secretary, Brian Huma shared the same sentiments. Huma said they have noted with sadness the Q1 of QLFS and its unintended consequences on the plight of young people. 

“North West as a province forms part of the 50.2 % unemployment rate of young people in South Africa. We further note that young people face the highest barriers of entry to entering the workforce. Whilst the challenges facing young people are not new as a result they are trending negatively in many cases.

“The report by Statistics SA, makes a good point by sharing the uneven ground between the rural youth and urban youth. This is corroborated through the staggering 58% of unemployment, which is mainly attributed to the economic exclusion,” he said. 

Huma said the situation has to be turned around. He said with three public TVET colleges and 6 state colleges of agriculture, nursing and hotel schools respectively being present in our province we need to propel the revolution of making sure that young people acquire impactful skills that will contribute towards the growth of our province. 

“We have made significant points as far as the reforms are concerned in the province. The first point is on our state of SOEs and how they ought to be realigned for a better realisation of the impact they will have in as far as economic growth and job creation are concerned. 

“Further support the move for an establishment of a road agency of the province and further advancing for the absorption of many graduates and artisans that are unemployed to propel the transformation and growth agenda for our province,” said Huma. 

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Patients sleeping on the floor at Ganyesa Hospital 

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Picture: Some of patients sleeping on the floor at Ganyesa District Hospital/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE 

20 May 2025- The North West Department of Health is under scrutiny after patients were found sleeping on the benches and floors at Ganyesa District Hospital. It is alleged that some of the waiting patients have chronic diseases. 

One of the community members in Ganyesa, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said, he believes that the North West Department of Health is at the ‘brink of collapse’ because this has been going on for a long time. He further said what is happening is uncalled for and the hospital management seems not to care. 

“Patients continue to be subjected to harsher treatment at the hospital and nothing is being done. We call on the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari to launch a high level investigation into the matter. 

“These patients have left their homes and come here so that they can be reviewed. Even though the hospital provides transport for them to go to tertiary hospitals, I think it must also provide them with beds to sleep in when waiting overnight for transport to other hospitals,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi said following a concern raised on social media related to patients sleeping on the floor, while awaiting transportation to Klerksdorp, the facility managed to source out 30 beds and 60 blankets to be utilized by these patients. Mothibedi said the Nursing Manager responsible for the night shift will supervise the process daily and report in the morning during handover.

“The institution would like to report that the reason for accommodating patients in the Outpatient Department (OPD) is that the identified area for overnight stay was damaged by fire on 30 November 2024, and is currently under renovation. So, due to limited space overnight, the patients await OPD and arrangements have been made for accommodation of patients from 13 May 2025,” he said. 

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Monna o thopilwe ka dikgoka 

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Ka KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

19 Motsheganong 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se batlisisa kgetsi ya go thopa ka dikgoka le kgothoso. Se, se tla morago ga gore monna wa dingwaga di le 61, a kgorogelwe ke banna ba le bararo fa a ne a robetse kwa ntlung ya gagwe kwa motseng wa Lokaleng, gaufi le Taung ka Lamatlhatso bosigo. 

Go begwa fa banna ba ba sa itsiweng ba, ba ile ba tsenya monna o mo sejanageng sa gagwe le go mo amoga karata ya gagwe ya banka le mogala wa letheka. Go begwa fa ba ile ba tsamaya le ene, mme ba ile bam o latlhela kwa motseng wa Cokonyane, gaufi le Taung, le go tshaba ka sejanaga sa gagwe. 

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are: “Ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana mabapi le kgang e, fela dipatlisiso di tsweletse.”

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Seminal review of white paper on local govt welcomed  

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Picture: The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on COGTA, Dr Zweli Mkhize 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

19 May 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) said it has welcomed the launch of the seminal Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, hailing it as an important step towards more accountable and efficient local governments, resulting in better service delivery.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize and several committee members attended the launch event in Johannesburg on Monday. Mkhize said the review was launched under the theme: “Every municipality must work – A call to collective action”.

“The review is long overdue, as a lot has changed in local government since the first White Paper, with many municipalities struggling and dysfunctional. 

“The vision for local government as an important lever in addressing historical injustices and improving people’s lives has not aligned with the lived realities in communities over the years,” he said.

Mkhize further said the review provides an important pause to reinvigorate and chart a new trajectory of growth, development and efficiency for the municipalities. He added that they have invited all stakeholders to make their voices heard in the planned consultations that will follow, as the review is set to address service delivery challenges in municipalities and the funding model for local government, among other things.

“The committee is looking forward to interacting with the review process of the White Paper on Local Government. The review is expected to be finalised by March 2025,” said Mkhize. 

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‘Something bad happening at the airport’

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Picture: The GD Montshioa International Airport

By OBAKENG MAJE 

19 May 2025- The consultative engagement between the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management regarding the GD Montshioa International Airport saga has opened a ‘can of worms’.  

Last week, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng made a startling discovery that there are individuals who are ‘illegally’ utilising the aviation facility at the airport. The Guardian newspaper understands that 11 individuals who allegedly occupied the airport were verified. 

The department allegedly found one British national, one Ghanaian national, eight Nigerian nationals and three South Africans at the airport.   

Now, the Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile, who had an engagement with the department said, there are more questions than answers. Sonakile said they have resolved to have a follow-up meeting with the department on 3 June 2025. 

“We will summon the implicated aviation companies, including the South African Police Services (SAPS) because I also believe they have a case to answer in terms of intelligence. 

“The department’s report indicates that the verification process took place only after the MEC went there. So, most definitely, we have to call SAPS,” he said. 

Sonakile further said, he is more confused than ever.  

“Most definitely, the consequence management will take place because we cannot have a situation like this and behave like it is normal. So, heads must roll. Someone must account and if there were payments, they were paid to whom? 

“The department must bring a comprehensive report that is crystal clear. We have also told the department to go and implement consequence management on its part,” he said. 

Sonakile added that they will determine what will happen next after they have received a detailed report.     

The EFF Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Fanon Moema said they have prodded into many issues that are taking place at the airport and they are not happy with the department’s response. Moema said there is an aviation activity taking place there, but the department was unable to collect revenue because the company that had a contract with them is allegedly collecting rental money on behalf of the department, even though their lease with the department has long been terminated. 

“So, a lot of revenue that was supposed to be utilised for other services was lost in between. We strongly feel that the department has failed, yet the province is faced with a backlash in terms of revenue collection, high rate of unemployment and poor service delivery. 

“The department could also not give back in terms of corporate social investment in what it has done directly, except saying it will give us answers in writing,” he said. 

Moema said if these individuals are not identified, that means they can utilise the national key points such as airports to process drugs and other criminal activities.

Umkhonto Wesizwe Party Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Lerato Tsholo shared the same sentiments. Tsholo said she is totally disappointed regarding the response they received from the department. 

“The department’s response lacks accountability and responsibility in its entirety. You cannot have issues that have taken place since 2014, and no one is there to account. 

“There is something sinister happening at the airport and who knows that there were drugs being peddled at this airport in the name of an aviation school?,” she asked.       

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said: “The African Union Aviation Academy does not have students at the moment. Another aviation school operating at the former air force base is called Paramount Aviation and is owned by Kaela Seoe-Okafor, who is a South African and her husband who is a Nigerian national. 

“Similarly they had a contract with the management company that had an agreement with the department. The department’s contract with the management company has ended and after their departure the two schools continued to operate without any agreement with the Department.”

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