Category Archives: NEWS

‘Day one of schools should be about teaching and learning’

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Picture: A Grade 12 learner looking for his name on a newspaper/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

12 January 2025– The Select Committee on Education, Science and Creative Industries has called on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to focus on its primary function of school admissions and teaching on the first day of schools reopening. The committee described as unfortunate reports that Grade 12 learners paid a fee to view results.

The Chairperson of Select Committee on Education, Science and Creative Industries, Makhi Feni said the issue around paying a fee to view results is another form of extortion and should not be entertained. Feni said the first day of school is about admission, registration and allocation of stationery as per the requirements of the curriculum.

“On behalf of the committee, we trust Minister Siviwe Gwarube and her team will ensure the reopening of schools runs smoothly. South African schools will open this week for the first term of the year.

“This coincides with the release of the 2024 matric results. Lobby groups had taken the minister to court and lost their bid to block the publication of the matric results in newspapers,” he said.

Feni further called on Gwarube to bring to Parliament the norms and regulations regarding the complete implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA). He added that, they trust that Gwarube will not seek to use the regulations for political gain of BELA opponents.

“The President has ordered a complete implementation in the presidential ascension to the BELA Act. It is such a comprehensive piece of legislation that need not be viewed with narrow minds.

“The Act was about the future of South African education and not about interest groups wanting to reminisce about old South Africa. We also noted the campaigns around scholar transport and other issues like cutting teacher posts,” said Feni.

He added that these are side shows that need not impact the reopening of schools, and the necessary learner and teacher support should be provided to all schools so that they are geared for effective learning on the first day.

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SANCO calls on North West govt to address flood risks

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Picture: A man trapped in the water on N18 road near Vryburg in 2021/Generic

By BAKANG KOKOTO

12 January 2025- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West has called on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to take urgent and decisive action to reduce flood risks and improve infrastructure in our communities.

SANCO said climate change is a reality, and its effects such as prolonged heavy rains are increasingly evident across South Africa, including in provinces like North West, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.

SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said in the past two weeks, the province has faced severe flooding, causing significant damage to roads, homes, and critical state infrastructure, including hospitals. Jam said these floods have exposed the government’s inability to maintain essential infrastructure, including storm-water systems and healthcare facilities.

“For decades, communities have voiced their concerns about the deteriorating state of government infrastructure, often citing that the government of the day seems to have an attitude towards a solid foundation inherited from the former Bophuthatswana Government.

“However, instead of preserving and improving these assets, we are witnessing a decline. The health sector, in particular, highlights this neglect. Hospitals such as Thusong in Itsoseng have collapsed due to poor maintenance, leaving communities reliant on overburdened facilities like Lichtenburg Hospital and the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital,” he said.

Jam further said Gelukspan Hospital is also deteriorating rapidly and they will not be surprised should it collapse like Thusong because instead of the government responding to community requests to increase health facilities, they are failing in their face.

He added that the lack of maintenance across the province is actually threatening the sustainability of health services.

“Recent floods have worsened the situation with floods damaging the General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg, forcing the transfer of patients to other facilities.

“These severe flooding also disrupted operations in the Moses Kotane Hospital, necessitating the relocation of patients. Many of these hospitals were built over 50 years ago, yet they continue to operate with outdated infrastructure,” said Jam.

He said the lack of investment in maintenance and expansion has left health facilities unable to meet the growing needs of the population. Jam said despite the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari’s “Rebona ka Matlho” program aimed at identifying and addressing these issues, no meaningful improvements have been seen.

“The community’s frustrations persist as services decline, with ambulance response times taking hours and patients sleeping on hospital floors due to overcrowding.

“Our hope for an improved public health sector is now in the National Health Insurance (NHI) initiative, which other people see as another project that is going to fail and be used by corrupt individuals to enrich themselves,” he said.

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Four suspects nabbed for armed robbery

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Picture: A man arrested in connection of murder in Vryburg/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

12 January 2025 – Four men who were arrested by the Rustenburg Flying Squad police for alleged armed robbery, possession of suspected stolen goods and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, are expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court soon.

The suspects were arrested at approximately 9:15am on the R510 road on 11 January 2025.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said they were arrested after allegedly robbing two men of their cell phones and undisclosed amount of cash. Mokgwabone said the victims who are operating a business at Extension 5, Boitekong, were on the way to Rustenburg when the suspects’ navy blue Volkswagen Polo overtook and immediately blocked their car, thus forcing it to stop near Ramochana.

“The suspects got out of their car, pointed at the victims with a firearm, then robbed them of cash, cell phones and fled from the scene. Due to apparent reckless driving and movement of the suspects’ car, the vigilant Flying Squad members, who were performing Operation Shanela duties, chased and stopped it. 

“The victims who arrived while the suspects were still being searched and interviewed, informed the police that the men robbed them. As a result, nine cell phones and an undisclosed amount of cash, two firearms and ammunition were found. The suspects were apprehended,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the arrest and applauded the members for their vigilance and directed that no stone should be left unturned to ascertain if the suspects are not linked to other robberies committed in the area.

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Monna o latofadiwang ka go bolaya lekgarebe la kwa Pudimoe o tshwerwe

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Boingotlo Makaota/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

12 Ferikgong 2025- Monna wa dingwaga di le 40, yo o latofadiwang ka go bolaya mosetsanyana wa dingwaga di le 16, kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Pudimoe o tshwerwe. Se se tla morago ga gore setopo sa ga Boingotlo Makaota , se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa nageng kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2 mo letsatsing la Labotlhano.

Sepodisi se begile fa Makaota a ka tswa le bolailwe ka Labone bosigo.

Go begwa fa moagisani wa mmelaelwa, a ile a begela sepodisi fa a utlwile segajaja sa lekgarebe mo bosigong jwa Labone kwa ntlung ya mmelaelwa. Go begwa fa moagisani o, a tlhalositse fa gape a ne a bona mmelaelwa ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe ba kgorometsa kereibaye e go bontshang fa ene e pegile sengwe mo teng mo mosong wa Labotlhano.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Sepodisi se ile sa tswa letsholo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go epololweng ga setopo sa lekgarebe mo letsatsing la gompieno.

“Go begwa fa setopo seo, sene se thatilwe ka kobo, mme moswi one a supiwa ke ba lelapa la gagwe jaaka Boingotlo Makaota. Dipatlisiso di shupa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se ne se na le dintho mo tlhogong, mo diropeng ga mmogo le mo maotong.”

Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso di ile tsa bolodiwa kwa lelapeng la mmelaelwa, mme diaparo tsa moswi di ile tsa fitlhelwa teng. Mokgwabone are, mmelaelwa o tshwerwe mo letsatsing la maabane morago ga gore a ineele kwa sepodising.

“Monna o, o ile a isiwa ke morwa-rragwe kwa sepodisi, mme a tshwarwa. Sepodisi se ile sa botsolotsa monna mongwe o bonweng a tsamaya le mmelaelwa fa a ne a kgorometsa kereibaye,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, Mokomishinara wa Sepodisi wa nama o sa tshwere mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e. Asaneng are polao eo ya go tlhorontshiwa ga bong e kabo e efogilwe fa baagi ba ne ba le Malala-a-laotswe.

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Setopo sa lekgarebe se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa Pudimoe

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Setshwantsho: Mosetsanyana, Boingotlo Makaota o go begwang a bolailwe/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

11 Ferikgong 2025- Setopo sa lekgarebe la dingwaga di le 16, se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Taung, mo letsatsing la gompieno. Sepodisi se bega fa lekgarebe le, le ka tswa le bolailwe ka Labone bosigo.

Se se tla morago ga gore moagisani mongwe a begele sepodisi fa a utlwile segajaja sa lekgarebe mo bosigong jwa Labone. Go begwa fa moagisani o, a tlhalositse fa a ne a bona monna mongwe ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe di kgorometsa kereibaye e go bontshang fa ene e pegile sengwe mo teng mo mosong wa Labotlhano.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Sepodisi se ile sa tswa letsholo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go epololweng ga setopo sa lekgarebe mo letsatsing la gompieno.

“Go begwa fa setopo seo, sene se thatilwe ka kobo, mme moswi one a supiwa ke ba lelapa la gagwe jaaka Boingotlo Makaota. Dipatlisiso di shupa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se ne se na le dintho mo tlhogong, mo diropeng ga mmogo le mo maotong.”

Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso di ile tsa bolodiwa kwa lelapeng la monna o bonweng a kgorometsa kereibaye, mme diaparo tsa moswi di ile tsa fitlhelwa teng. Mokgwabone are, dipatlisiso tsa go tshwara mmelaelwa di tsweletse, mme monna mongwe o bonweng a tsamaya le mmelaelwa fa a ne a kgorometsa kereibaye o a botsolotswa ke sepodisi.

Kgabagare, Mokomishinara wa Sepodisi wa nama o sa tshwere mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e. Asaneng are polao eo ya go tlhorontshiwa ga bong e kabo e efogilwe fa baagi ba ne ba le Malala-a-laotswe.

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Govt refutes allegations emanating from claims by MACUA on High Court ruling

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Picture: Stilfontein Mine Shaft/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

11 January 2025- The Department of Mineral Resource and Energy (DMRE) has refuted the allegations that the court mandated the rescue operation at Stilfontein Mine. The department said MACUA’s widely published claims to the contrary are false and in contempt of the court.

“These unfounded allegations distort the truth by suggesting that the court mandated the rescue operation, which is unequivocally false. On Friday 10 January 2025, Lawyers For Human Rights brought an urgent application to the Gauteng High Court of on behalf of Zinzi Tom.

“It was in fact, the state that appraised the court of the relentless and ongoing efforts by its agencies, since December 2024, to find a resolution. We wish to clarify that the decision to deploy rescue services was made independently and prior  to the urgent application brough by MACUA.”

The department said this decision reflects  unwavering commitment from government and the sector, represented by the Minerals Council of South Africa (MCSA) to facilitate the exit of those illegal miners, who remain underground. It said government, through DMRE has finalized an agreement with Mine Rescue Services and work related to the rescue operation has already commenced at the mine site.

“Further details on the rescue process will be communicated in due course. The statement is issued on behalf of all state respondents cited in this case.”

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Four men arrested for business robbery in Mokassa

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By REGINALD KANYANE

11 January 2025- Four men who are accused of business robbery in Mokassa 1 village, near Taung, were arrested. This comes after a swift response by the police and members of the community.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Aobakwe Motshela (26), Thatayaone Mongalenyane (26), Goitsemodimo Dikhucwe (33), and Zwelinzima Mohapi (31), were arrested on Tuesday evening, 7 January 2025, after allegedly committing a business robbery in Mokasa 1 village.

“It is alleged members of Visible Policing rushed to the scene after receiving a call at about 6pm, informing them of robbery in progress. Upon arrival, the police joined members of the community who were found chasing the suspects.

“Three men were as a result arrested. The fourth suspect who was seen carrying a firearm, was apprehended after being found hiding in the bushes,” he said.

Mokgwabone said a search for the firearm was conducted immediately and the following day, but that did not yield positive results. He said the accused briefly appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court.

“They were remanded in custody until 16 January 2025, for a formal bail application,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the District Commissioner of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng, thanked members of the community and the police for their cooperation, which he said is a good example of what can be achieved if everyone is involved in the fight against crime.

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A man sentenced to five life terms imprisonment for five counts of rape

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By REGINALD KANYANE

11 January 2025- A man (39) was sentenced to five life terms imprisonment by the Molopo Regional Sexual Offences Court in Mmabatho ON 9 January 2025. This comes after Vincent Akombe was accused of rape cases, which were reported between April 2012 and June 2016, in the policing area of Mmabatho.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the convict accosted couples, whilst relaxing in their cars along or in the vicinity of Bray road. Mokgwabone said Akombe would rob the victims aged between 29 and 40, of their personal belongings including cash, cell phones and clothes.

“In addition, he would tie male victims’ hands and feet with a rope and rape females. Consequent to broad investigation, two possible suspects were identified, arrested and buccal samples collected.

“The results thereof, linked Akombe to all the cases, which were combined for the purpose of trial,” he said.

In addressing the court for a harsh sentence, the state prosecutor, advocate Kefentse Diseko, submitted that the accused took advantage of the vulnerability of women. Diseko said the state further submitted that the accused should be punished for his monstrous deeds and be removed from the community.

“There were no substantial and compelling circumstances that may lead the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, which is life imprisonment.

“The convict was as a result, sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the five counts of rape and all robberies, and will run concurrently. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000,” he said.   

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentences, which they said will without doubt serve as a deterrence and sound a warning to potential criminals that the long arm of the law will ensure that no criminal is spared. 

They also commended the Investigating Officer, D/Sergeant Tshepiso Makunye of Mmabatho Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and the state prosecutor, advocate Kefentse Diseko, as well as all other role players for their tireless efforts to ensure that the conviction is secured.

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Terror financing case postponed 

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Picture: The accused, Ziyahd Hoorzook in court/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE 

10 January 2025- A terror financing case against the accused, Ziyahd Hoorzook (35), has been postponed by the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court until 15 January 2025, for further bail application. Hoorzook is facing multiple charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act 33 of 2004 (POCDATARA), including six alternative counts for contravening Section 4(1)(f)(ii) of the Act. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said additional charges include contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998 and the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 for failing to secure firearms in the prescribed manner.

“During court proceedings, it emerged that on 30 November 2017, Hoorzook allegedly transferred R11,500 in cryptocurrency to a Bitcoin account. Investigations revealed that this transaction was linked to foreign military assistance provided to an organisation alleged to be involved in terrorist activities. 

“On 3 October 2024, the police searched his residence, where they discovered two licensed firearms that were not secured in a safe as required by law. Hoorzook was subsequently arrested on 3 January 2025 and has remained in custody since,” said Gunya.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the collaboration between the NPA and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), that culminated in the accused’s court appearance.

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Parolee sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for rape

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

10 January 2025- A man (27) who is a parolee was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Nigel Magistrate’s Court for rape. Sphiwe Isaac Makula from Duduza, raped a woman (19).

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the court ordered that Makula be declared unfit to possess a firearm and that his name be added to the national register for sexual offenders.

“In the early hours of 11 March 2022, the victim was walking back home from a friend’s place in Duduza, Makula approached her, grabbed, and took her to the nearby bushes where he proceeded to rape her.

“After he fled the scene, the victim received a lift on the street and was taken to the police station, where she reported the matter to the police. After investigations by the police, Makula was arrested on 24 November 2022, at his residence and has been in custody since,” she said.

Mahanjana said during the trial, Makula pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. She further said, however, the state was able to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“During the sentencing proceeding through his legal representative, Makula asked the court to consider the two years he spent in prison awaiting the finalization of the trial when imposing a sentence. However, state prosecutor Phumulani Nkalanga argued that Makula was not a first-time offender as he committed the offence while on parole for a similar offence that he was convicted of in 2011.

“Furthermore, he asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that the seriousness of the crime, coupled with no compelling and substantial circumstances, warranted no lesser punishment,” said Mahanjana.

She said the NPA welcomed the sentence handed down and remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of victims, as well as holding offenders accountable for their actions.

Meanwhile, when handing down the sentence, Magistrate Juan Voogt, agreed with the state and said that Makula could not be rehabilitated because he was previously convicted of a similar offence. Voogt said Makula is a danger to society, especially women therefore it is in the interest of justice to remove him from society.

“I found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence,” he said.

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