Category Archives: NEWS

Deputy principal accused of raping a learner ‘dragged’ to SACE

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

9 December 2024- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Monday declared the granting of bail to a deputy principal (63), who is accused of raping a learner (12), from Kgwanyape Primary school in Majakaneng village, outside Brits, as a travesty of justice and a setback against fighting Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

Pastor Lesiba Kgwele, who is a convenor of the MRM North West Interim Committee, called on the North West Department of Education to immediately suspend the official facing charges of sexual grooming, sexual assault and statutory rape.

Kgwele said this comes after the accused allegedly kissed the victim in 2023, and purportedly began to send her nude pictures.

“It is reported that seeing the messages, the victim’s friend informed her mother and a teacher requested them to bring the phones to school for observation. The mother of the victim was subsequently informed of the incident by the school and a case was opened against the accused on 23 November 2024.

“The accused was arrested on 25 November, after he handed himself over to the Brits Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences offices,” he said.

Kgwele further pointed out that MRM will be referring the matter to the South African Council of Educators (SACE), to probe the deputy principal’s alleged conduct, which it views as despicable, unethical, violation of educators’ code of conduct and bringing the teaching profession into disrepute.

He added that educators are expected to act in ‘loco-parentis’ and to at all material times protect learners in keeping with values adopted by their respective school communities.

“The granting of bail to perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence & Femicide (GBVF), undermines the objective to send an unequivocal message that there is no place in our society for those who have no regard for women and children’s rights, including the sanctity of life of the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Kgwele.

He declared that miscarriage of justice contributes significantly towards eroding public confidence in the criminal justice system often resulting in communities opting for desperate measures that include taking the law into their own hands.

Kgwele said their disappointment is that the alleged perpetrator was granted bail besides evidence presented suggesting that he had reportedly attempted to intimidate witnesses. 

“We emphasise that education authorities and school governing bodies are expected to exercise zero tolerance to sexual violence against learners in order to tackle the scourge of GBVF. 

“This also includes ensuring that everyone employed at their various institutions are not registered on the National Sexual Offenders Register,” he said.

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Three accused persons escape from police holding cells

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Picture: Three escapees who are still on the run/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 December 2024- The police in Swartruggens have launched a manhunt after the escape of three awaiting trial detainees, who escaped from Swartruggens Police Holding cells on 8 December 2024. It is alleged that four detainees escaped after forcing their exit through the roof of their detention cell.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the police managed to trace and arrest one of the escapees (23), whilst hiking next to the N4 road, in Swartruggens Plaza. Myburgh said the suspect will appear before the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on a charge of escaping form lawful custody on 11 December 2024.

“Other escapees who are still on the run are, Mpho Vincent Madito (29), who was detained for four rape cases reported in Swartuggens and Makgobistad, Thapelo Mogwele Molebatsi (25), was detained for theft at Swartruggens and Johannes Mfaladi (28), was detained for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) in Swartruggens.

“Meanwhile, the police are still working hard to trace and re-arrest the remaining three escapees. Investigation into the matter including circumstances that led to the escape, continues,” she said.

Myburgh further said the police request anyone with information that can assist in the re-arrest of the remaining three escapees, to contact the nearest police station or the Investigating Officer, Captain Peterson Monageng on 082 569 5868.

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More than 1299 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: Some of confiscated items/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

9 December 2024- More than 1299 suspects were arrested for various offences during Operation Shanela. The campaign that forms part of the safer festive season operations, was conducted between 2 until 8 December 2024.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the actions executed during the operations resulted in the apprehension of 1 299 suspects in the province, of which 617 were arrested by Detectives during suspect raiding operations.

Myburgh said police, supported by other law enforcement agencies, executed a total of 5 399 actions that included amongst others the inspection of 56 licensed liquor premises.

She further said this includes 77 second hand dealers, compliance inspections of Firearms Institutions (non-official and official institutions), 745 inspections at hospitality and retail shops, 84 informal businesses to ensure labour law compliance as well as farms and mines.

Myburgh added that in the province, a further 292 premises, 1 677 persons and 702 vehicles were searched and ten roadblocks were held.

“The arrests were among those effected by Detectives includes 17 for murder, 46 for rape and 236 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). Other arrests affected included four for illegal possession of a firearm, five for illegal possession of ammunition and two for possession of a dangerous weapon.

“Eleven for dealing in drugs, 17 for illegal dealing in liquor, 152 for possession of drugs, seven for burglary at business premises, 17 for burglary at residential premises, 38 for malicious damage to property, 46 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 39 for being illegal immigrants and 87 for illicit mining,” she said.

Myburgh said the items that were confiscated are a variety of drugs, tobacco products, 10kg of copper cables, 121 rounds of ammunition, three firearms, one rifle and three vehicles. She said in Lichtenburg, the police and health inspectors from the Department of Health, visited businesses in town and Boikhutso Township respectively on 3 December 2024, and confiscated numerous expired goods.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police officers working together with other law enforcement agencies, including Traffic and Home Affairs, to ensure that suspects are brought to book as part of asserting the authority of the state.

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A teacher dies at Grade 12 National Senior Certificate final examinations marking centre  

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Picture: The deceased, Blessing Mthethwa/Facebook  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 December 2024- The heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the death of a marker, Blessing Mthethwa. It is alleged that Mthethwa passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning following an epileptic attack.

She served as an educator at the Hotazel Combined School and was on duty at one of our marking centres in Kimberley.

The Northern Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo said his department mourns the untimely passing of Mthethwa. Vosloo said the department notified the school and her family immediately and offered the necessary support.

“We have also activated our psycho-social support services to the school and her colleagues for counselling sessions. We convey our most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, as well as her colleagues in the education sector.

“According to our information, Mthethwa has served her school and the community at large with distinction and her contribution to the education system will be sorely missed,” he said.

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Majodina to hand over house to disadvantaged family  

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Picture: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina

By REGINALD KANYANE

8 December 2024- The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina will on 9 December 2024, return to Ngobi village in Moretele, to fulfil a commitment she had made by handing over a completed house to a family that lives with a child with disabilities.

On 17 November 2024, Majodina had visited the family of Kgomotso Motlhajwa (18), who is wheelchair-bound and handed over a wheelchair friendly Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) toilet, which was part of a Sanitation Project Hand-Over to the Moretele Local Municipality to mark World Toilet Day in the area.

Majodina spokesperson, Cornelius Monama said, upon witnessing the living conditions of the family, the Minister pleaded with the contractor responsible for the Rural Sanitation Project to donate and erect a house for the family of four as their current structure was not fit for habitation.

Monama further said the house has been built in the same yard as the toilet and will officially be handed over to the Motlhajwa family. He added that during the World Toilet Day celebration, Majodina handed over the Rural Sanitation Project, which was funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation through its Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and implemented by Moretele Local Municipality.

“The project comprised of 1865 Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) toilets to the local communities, particularly in Phedile village of ward 1, Selepe, Transectie, Ngobi, Jumbo, Dipetlelwane villages of ward 6, Swartboom, Mmoti, Makgabetloane, Rabosula and Norokie villages of ward 7.,” added Monama.

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Spar Proteas target Continental glory

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Picture: Spar Proteas players

By BAKANG MOKOTO

8 December 2024- The SPAR Proteas will begin their final assignment of the year in Swakopmund, Namibia on Monday as they take on the best of the continent at the Africa Netball Cup. The South Africans have been drawn in Pool 1 for the December 9-14 tournament alongside the team they recently just beat 3-0 in a home series, Malawi, as well as Zambia and Kenya.

Pool 2 contains world number six Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho.

The SPAR Proteas Head Coach, Jenny van Dyk said playing against African sides is by no means an easy task. Van Dyk said Uganda have become one of the powerhouses on the continent in recent years and we predict that her side is likely to meet the She Cranes in the Africa Netball Cup final next Saturday.

“We are very aware of Uganda, we respect them as a team and they’ve done brilliantly,” she said before the team’s departure.

“It’s a team that you beat once and the next time they come back with a vengeance and we are very aware of that… We are making sure to do our homework,” she said.

Van Dyk further said the last time the two nations met was at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town last year, where the SPAR Proteas beat Uganda. She added that She Cranes then bounced back to defeat the home side later in the tournament to secure 5th place.

Captain Khanyisa Chawane believes that’s unlikely to happen again.

“I think it’s more mental than anything because of what they’ve done. You can really fall into a hole of thinking that it’s quite difficult. But it’s not a team to fear,” she said.

“It’s a team that we’ve beaten before and yes, they may have the confidence that they’ve done it before, but they don’t know the type of team that we are now and we take confidence in that, especially in how strong our team are and how we’ve grown from the World Cup until now,” she said.

Chawane said she is looking forward to going out there and giving them something different that they don’t expect.

Meanwhile, the SPAR Proteas vice-captain, Karla Pretorious believes the Africa Netball Cup will provide her side with valuable experience of playing teams on the continent, who have a completely different style to the likes of the top four teams in the world, Australia, England, New Zealand, and Jamaica.

“That African style of athleticism and the fact that they never stop, which is very unique to us African players, is something that’s always been a challenge. But we’re fully aware of it. It’s about how we do our homework and execute the game plan,” she said.

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North West schools win big at NSNP awards

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Picture: The North West schools win big/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI  

8 December 2024- The North West Department of Education said it is pleased to announce yet another win. This comes after the department took part in the 2024/25 National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Best Schools and Districts Awards held at Modjadji Primary School in Ga-Selwane village, Phalaborwa, Limpopo on Friday.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the programme was launched in 2009/10 to honour excellence, innovation, and the commitment of districts and schools in effectively implementing the NSNP programme in the country. Motsumi said the North West province obtained three awards out of five categories it was nominated for.

“The Uitschot Primary School from Ottosdal Farms, obtained the second position in best performing farm school in NSNP best practice awards and walked away with the prize money of R40 000. Tholo Primary School in Uitkyk, near Madikwe, obtained the second position in the category of Grade 5 LandScape Milk Parlour and received a certificate and Laminator.

“A learner from the school received a uniform voucher worth R1000. Tshwara-O- Dire Primary from Mogwase received a certificate and a learner from the same school received a school uniform voucher worth R500,” she said.

Motsumi further said Bojanala District was a finalist in the Best Performing District category and walked away with a certificate, while Onkabetse Thuto Secondary School in Setlagole village, was a finalist in the category for Best Performing NSNP Best Practice in the country and received a certificate.

Motsumi added that this recognition highlights the department’s outstanding efforts in promoting the well-being of learners through the NSNP, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that learners receive nutritious meals to support their academic performance and overall health.

“We extend her heartfelt congratulations to all the top achievers, and finalists as well as the rest of the school community that contributed towards this success. On behalf of the department, I wish to congratulate all the winners.

“To the finalists, I urge you not to despair. I am truly proud of the entire team that represented us in Limpopo province. In particular, I am thankful to the food handlers, volunteers, School Governing Bodies (SGB) and the entire team education behind every child fed, and towards this success,” said Motsumi.

She said it has now become a norm that whenever the province competes nationally, they can confidently expect excellent results. Motsumi stressed that these prestigious awards reflect the department’s ongoing dedication to providing healthy and nutritious meals to learners, which is integral to their academic performance.

“These top awards are a clear indication that as a department, we take serious precautions when it comes to the food of learners at school. We know that when learners eat a healthy meal, they are bound to perform well in their studies.

“This recognition not only celebrates the hard work of the department, but also underscores the importance of holistic learner development, combining nutrition with educational excellence,” she said.

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DA says firing Gwarube will signal end to GNU

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Picture: Minister of Department of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube

By REGINALD KANYANE

8 December 2024- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it rejects any attempt by a faction of the ANC to influence the Republic of South Africa present, Cyril Ramaphosa to fire Minister of Department of Basic Education (DBE), Siviwe Gwarube, or any other DA minister, for doing their jobs.

The DA leader, John Steenhuisen said doing so would signal an end to the Government of National Unity (GNU). Steenhuisen said this amid misinformation around the consultation process which has been taking place since Ramaphosa signed the BELA Act into law nearly 3 months ago, withholding clauses 4 and 5, to allow for further consultation from concerned parties.

“These consultations are ongoing through the clearing house mechanism within the GNU. During this time, Gwarube has met with members from solidarity, and the Presidency, at NEDLAC after a dispute was lodged by the union.

“This process is entirely separate from the consultation process, and conflating the two is misleading, and factually incorrect. This was a mandatory process in terms of the law, to prevent strike action arising out of the dispute,” he said.

Steenhuisen further said the outcome of this engagement was a settlement, signed by the Minister of Basic Education, the presidency, and the union. He added that the fact that the presidency has now distanced itself from this legislated process, which they were party to, is as disgraceful, as it is confusing.

“As leader of the DA, I would like to make this point loud and clear. We support the process followed by the minister, as she was fulfilling her legally obligated responsibilities, and respect the outcome of the negotiations at NEDLAC.

“We have been clear since the outset. We are in government to bring about positive change, including inclusive economic growth, and jobs, and at all times, we are guided by the rule of law, and the Constitution of South Africa. Anything to the contrary will not be tolerated,” said Steenhuisen.

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Six illegal miners resurfaced in Stilfontein

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Picture: The Stilfontein mine shaft

By BAKANG MOKOTO

6 December 2924- Six illegal miners resurfaced at Shaft No 10 in Buffelsfontein, Stilfontein, in the early hours of Friday morning, 6 December 2024. The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said illegal miners are all Mozambican foreign nationals and are currently being processed.

Mokgwabone further said the Vala Umgodi operation continues.

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Five SAFA Regions throw their weight behind Jordaan

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Picture: Embattled SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

6 December 2024 – Several South African Football Association (SAFA) Regions travelled to Johannesburg to offer their support to President Dr Danny Jordaan and send out a statement on Thursday. Umkhanyakude, Zululand, Ugu, Umgungundlovu and iLembe Regions were present at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the East of Johannesburg when Jordaan, Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo and Grit Communications Director, Trevor Neethling, appeared before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the East of Johannesburg on 5 December 2024.

Magistrate Shirley Soko postponed the matter to 10 December 2024, after only a few minutes of deliberations, but the regions said they would return to support the SAFA President next week.

Ilembe Region president, Nkokhelo Zulu said: “I think the whole country knows that there are allegations that have been leveled against our President, and we are here today to support him as the region.

“Till today, we believe that the things we are hearing and the allegations against our Jordaan are not true. We are here to show that all these things they are saying, we do not believe them.”

Umkhanyakude Region President said there would have been more people at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court today, but many of them stayed behind to attend the 2024 SALGA Games in Ethekwini from 5-8 December 2024.

“They will be here with us next week when we return to support our president. We are coming from Umkhanyakude and we are here for one thing, to support the president as the region. We will be back.”

Meanwhile, SAFA said it will remain unwavering in its commitment to the growth and development of football in the country and continues to prioritise the sport’s potential to unite, uplift and create opportunities for South Africa.

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