Category Archives: NEWS

Former ANC councillor apologises to community members after calling them ‘illiterate and empty-minded’

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Picture: The former ANC ward councillor, Tebogo Morweng/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

29 October 2024- Former ANC ward councillor, Tebogo Morweng, has apologised to the people of Magogong village, near Taung, after allegedly calling them illiterate and empty-minded. This comes after a voicenote that depict Morweng’s voice leaked to the public.

Morweng’s remarks were made after community members allegedly embarked on protest and burned a traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu to death, torched her RDP house and looted tuckshops on 20 October 2024. Mothusiemang-Legodu was accused of kidnapping and killing a girl, Rethabile Molapo (11), for ritual purposes.

Molapo’s charred body was discovered in a pit latrine at an abandoned house.  

One of irked community members, Kamogelo Ledwaba wrote on Facebook displaying annoyance and disenchantment towards Morweng’s utterances. Ledwaba said she does not wish bad on Morweng, but she hopes that what is happening in Modutung, will not happen to him.

“Tebogo Morweng o ntshwabisitse ele ruri….I don’t know you closely my guy, even so I had so much respect for you from a distance but I came across a recording of you calling batho ba Modutung illiterate.

“I don’t wish bad on u sir mara I just hope gore se se diragalang ka bana ko motsing wa Modutung ga se go diragalele ka gore le wena as far as I know, o Motsadi. Infact all of us are parents. And this can happen to any of us as parents.” Sic.

However, Morweng said the utterances were blown out of proportion. He said he had a private conversation with one of his friends, who in turn, leaked the voicenote.

“I find it unfortunate that there is a narrative put out there in efforts to tarnish my reputation. I had a conversation with Lorato Moselane like any other conversation we normally have.

“The words that were highlighted such as illiterate and empty-minded, were not directed to the level of education of the people, but it was rather a concern that, we as people are not careful or conscious of how the law works,” said Morweng.

He further said the context of illiteracy was not used to degrade anyone, but to raise an issue of ignorance to how the law works systematically. Morweng added that he was shocked that Moselane went extreme and shared the only portion of the whole conversation, where she was not implicated.

“This is the same person, who was in agreement with the views we engaged on that people cannot be killed regardless of age, gender or any other reason. So, it is sad and disappointing to see that this narrative has given opportunity to people to attack me and my family.

“The Morweng’s family was not part of the conversation between I and Moselane. This is the same family that previously managed to offer their support and their resources (vehicles) to the community after Oratile Mothibi went missing,” he said.

Morweng said he personally does not condone the kidnapping or killing of children in their area. He said he has been visible in supporting and mobilising the community during Mothibi’s case.

“Many can attest that I am in support of the community. However, I condemn the killings and urge the community members to allow the law to take its course. We should also make efforts to assist the police and ensure that justice prevails.

“I will never distance myself from the people of Magogong. I have donated schools and been vocal about various challenges affecting the community such as calling for the re-opening of Magogong Satellite Police Station and clinic to operation in 24 hour basis ,” said Morweng.

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Sibanye Stillwater mine donates two ambulances

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Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari and delegation from Sibanye Stillwater mine/Supplied  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

29 October 2024- The Sibanye Stillwater mine in Rustenburg has donated two ambulances and an emergency response vehicle. The vehicles which are fitted with modern equipment will provide much needed solutions for health facilities in the Bojanala District and further allow for ease of transportation of patients to specialised units equipped to treat their unique ailments.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, hailed the donation as yet another good example of how the private sector can work together with the government in finding solutions to challenges that confront citizens on a daily basis.

Lehari thanked Sibanye Stillwater for the donations.

“Undoubtedly, this contribution will improve our ability to deliver essential medical services to our citizens. I am very confident that these vehicles will enable high quality medical service delivery to patients requiring inter-hospital transfers and external referrals.

“South Africa’s public healthcare facilities are under great strain and the ambulance service is no exception, which is tragic, given that when it comes to health issues, speed of reaction by medical personnel is very often the difference between life and death,” he said.

Lehari further said the government can achieve much, but the government can achieve much more through partnerships with stakeholders. He added that as a government, they hold a firm view that it takes the community, the private sector, civil society organisations and government partnerships to significantly impact on service delivery.

Meanwhile, the Vice President for Social Sustainability at Sibanye Stillwater, Sibongile Zikalala said the gesture was symbolic of their commitment to community development.

“As Sibanye, we are putting every effort in partnering with government as we have a long standing partnership with the provincial department. To date, the company’s PGM operations have donated 23 ambulances, 3 mobile clinics and 1 emergency response vehicle to enable improved health services,” she said.

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Ruthless South Africa put Seychelles to the sword

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 02: Hildah Magaia of South Africa celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s second goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between South Africa and Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

By REGINALD KANYANE

29 October 2024 – COSAFA Banyana Banyana coach, Maud Khumalo asked her players to be more clinical in front of goal ahead of COSAFA Banyana Banyana’s final Group A match against Seychelles, and they followed her instructions masterfully as they beat the islanders 8-1 at Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha on Monday.

The youthful Sasol-sponsored South African side was ruthless in front of goal and a hat-trick from Kesha Hendricks, a brace from Sinamile Mkhwanazi and goals from Ntando Phahla, Ayesha Moosa and Tshegofatso Motlogelwa completed the rout. Asanda Hadebe wrapped up a successful day at the office for the South Africans when she walked away with the Player of the Match Award.

Pascaline Moustache converted from the penalty spot to score the consolation goal for the islanders 15 minutes from time.

Khumalo’s charges had already qualified for the semi-finals after beating Namibia and Eswatini in matches played earlier in the group stages, but they certainly did not take their foot off the pedal and proceeded to dismantle the visitors at will.

Khumalo said they were aware that Seychelles are still a developing team.

“We knew that Seychelles are building, and it is still a process for them. For us, it was more about fixing things we didn’t do right in the first two games in terms of scoring the goals, in terms of sticking to the game plan and our combinations.

“This is something we were doing in our training sessions. We need to have more players moving off the ball so that we create chances for the player who has the ball. I was encouraging Asanda Hadebe to be more offensive than defensive because most of the ball was coming to her side, and there was no pressure on her side,” she said.

Khumalo further said she was happy with the way her team performed against Seychelles.

“When the players go into camp, we set the standard and remind them why they are here. When they wear that jersey, they represent the national team, and they must forget where you are coming from.

“We have a lot of combination play, so I think it’s very interesting to be exposed to these different playing styles. Definitely, we have learned many lessons, it was also very exciting for us” she said.

Khumalo added that she is happy with the way her team played in the group stages after scoring 12 goals (1-0 vs Namibia, 3-0 vs Eswatini and 8-1 vs Seychelles) and only conceding one (against Seychelles).

Meanwhile, Seychelles coach, Chris Hew Seem Yip-Au Hew Seem, said they had learned some important lessons after the three matches they played in the group stages against Namibia, Eswatini and South Africa.

“I think for me, in every game that we played, we learned a lesson. In the match against Eswatini, the weather conditions were not very good for us and of course we saw how relentless they are,” she said.

“Against Namibia, we faced a team that has a very direct attacking way of playing, so it was interesting to play a different playing style. And of course, we have South Africa,” said Seem.

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Police are looking for missing Lerifi

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Picture: The missing Lesedi Lefiri

By BAKANG MOKOTO

28 October 2024– The police in Phokeng request community assistance in locating a missing woman, Lesedi Lefiri (21), who is residing at Newstand, Boshoek, near Rustenburg. According to the North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh, Lefiri was last seen by her mother on 9 October 2024.

Myburgh said a search was conducted around Phokeng and all leads were followed-up, but that did not yield positive results. She further said Lefiri was wearing a white T-shirt, light blue Jean with white shoes.

“She is dark in complexion, with brown eyes, a small built body and black, long, afro hair. Anyone who may have information regarding her whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Johanna Masenya on 076 834 4165 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

“Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smartphone,” added Myburgh.

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Nine people accused of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and arson from Modutung remanded in custody

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Picture: The torched house of a traditional healer

By OBAKENG MAJE

28 October 2024- Nine suspects who were arrested in Modutung village, near Taung, for various crimes such as kidnapping, attempted murder, murder, arson and malicious damage to property remanded in custody until 4 November 2024, for formal bail application.

Letlhogolo Mothobi (38) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Thomas Morakanele (29), Tshepo Sekgetho (31) and Lesego Mongale (34), appeared on a charge of arson. Mokgwabone said the police also arrested the 9th suspect, Lebogang Morakabe (44).

“Morakabe is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property together with Mothobi and Boikanyo. A multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.

“The accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing the crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine. Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house. He added that goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze.  

“The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects. Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.     

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A man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

28 October 2024- A man (33) was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend (21). This comes after Severn police received a complaint on 3 April 2024 from the accused, Tumisang Dioka Metswe, reporting that he found his girlfriend, Malebo Mavis Modise beaten behind a tavern in Madibeng in Severn village.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi said the police found Modise covered with a blanket at her boyfriend’s residence.

“She was hospitalised, but later succumbed to her injuries on 7 April 2024,” she said.

Meanwhile, the John Taolo Gaotsewe District Commissioner, Major General Johny Besnaar, applauded the Investigation Officer, D/Cst Ompolokile Godfrey Motingwe for the meticulous investigation that led to the lifelong incarceration of the accused and also for ensuring that justice was served.

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Rail must be the backbone of public transport in South Africa

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

28 October 2024- We have placed the growth of an inclusive economy and the creation of jobs at the centre of the work of the Government of National Unity. This is taking place alongside actions to tackle poverty and the high cost of living and to build a capable, developmental state.

These priorities are uppermost in our minds as we mark Transport Month this October. The efficient, safe and affordable movement of people and goods around the country is essential for economic growth and jobs.

Goods that are produced by our workers need to move from mines, factories and farms to our country’s markets and international markets through our ports. People need to be transported to workplaces, clinics, hospitals and schools.

When our transport system works well, then the cost of doing business is lowered and our country’s products and services are more competitive. Affordable public transport helps to reduce the cost of living for millions of South Africans.

Our public transport system is in a poor state due to a lack of investment over many years, as well as theft and vandalism, especially during the COVID pandemic. Without affordable and reliable alternatives, households spend a large proportion of their income on transport.

Fixing public transport therefore plays a big role in reducing poverty. A particular area of focus for this Administration is the development of rail as the backbone of transport in South Africa.

Much progress has been made in restoring urban passenger rail to full service. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has to date restored 31 out of 40 priority rail corridors back to operation. By March this year, 40 million passengers were using public trains, nearly three times more than the year before.

Last year we set up the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) to address our logistics challenges, particularly in a number of goods transportation corridors. Transnet, business and labour are working together to increase the volume of freight that is carried on our rail corridors to be transported to our ports.

The NLCC is supporting the implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap. The roadmap covers areas such as the security of the rail network, operational improvements and capital investment.

It is expected that Transnet will finalise a Network Statement by the end of the year, which will facilitate access by third-party operators to our rail network. This will help to increase the volume of goods carried by rail.

By 2029, our rail lines need to be transporting at least 250 million tonnes of freight a year. While we attend to the immediate challenges, we are also looking ahead.

Work is underway to develop a National Rail Masterplan that will lay out the future for rail in South Africa. Among other things, the Masterplan will cover passenger rail in our cities, including rapid rail. It will also cover high speed rail over long distances between centres.

The substantial work required to develop the Masterplan is expected to be completed by the end of next year. The achievement of our ambitious targets will require considerable investment in infrastructure, rolling stock and signalling.

We will need to make use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, in areas like cargo tracking, passenger ticketing and securing critical infrastructure. The Government alone will not be able to carry the scale of the investment needed.

That is why we are working to mobilise private sector investment in rail and port operations, while ensuring that the infrastructure remains State-owned. Not only does the development of rail reduce the cost and improve the reliability of transport for both people and goods.

It also makes an important contribution to the reduction of our carbon emissions. Together with support for new technologies like electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells, we can make transport in this country far cleaner and more environmentally sustainable.

While we improve the reach and performance of rail, we need to properly integrate all modes of public transport so that passengers can move seamlessly from one destination to another. Transport planning and policy development must therefore take account of the contribution of all forms of transport.

The Department of Transport is, for example, reviewing the approach to funding bus rapid transport programmes in municipalities and the taxi recapitalisation programme. While we have achieved important progress in restoring our freight and passenger rail systems, we have much further to go.

We will need far more investment, more effective use of technology and closer collaboration between all stakeholders.

We are now on the right track towards a public transport system that is safer, more efficient and more affordable – and that supports the growth of an inclusive economy, reduces poverty and creates employment.

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Mosadi o tlhokafetse morago ga go idibala

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Setshwantsho: Monna wa moswi o dikaganyeditswe ke baagi morago ga tiragalo

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

28 Diphalane 2024- Mosadi wa kwa motseng wa Magogong, gaufi le Taung, o tlhokafetse morago ga go idibala. Go begwa fa Bontleeng Matseko (41), a ne a tsamaya le mogatse go ya kwa toropong fa tiragalo e, e diragala.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are ene ya re mo go boeng ga bone, Matseko one a ikutlwa e kare otshwerwe ke sedidi.  Mokgwabone are tiragalo e, ke ya Lamatlhatso, mme moswi one a le mo tekesing fa e diragala.

“O ile a bewa mo tlase ga setlhare, mme go ile ga bidiwa ambulance. Ka maswabi, o ile a begwa fa tlhokafetse, mme kgetsi ya morago ga loso e butswe.  

“Go fitlha ga jaana, dipatlisiso di tsweletse, mme ga go belaelwe fa go nnile le letsogo la tshwene,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

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Expired goods worth over R350 000 confiscated from tuckshops in Ga-Mothibi area  

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Picture: Some of Municipal Health Inspectors raiding non-compliant spaza shops/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

28 October 2024- The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure, Itumeleng Maribe said they will intensify a crackdown on spaza shops across Taung. Last week, the municipality confiscated expired food and counterfeit goods worth over R350 000 from various spaza shops in Kgomotso, Losasaneng, Kameelspuits and Ikageng villages in Ga-Mothibi area.

Maribe further said the crackdown duped: Ga Re Shename campaign, targeted shops that sell poisonous foods to the public, which has sparked public outcry. He added that the campaign was in conjunction with various stakeholders such as Home Affairs’ Immigration unit, South African Police Service (SAPS) and Municipal Health Inspectors.

“We embarked on a random search and ensure that spaza shops owners are compliant. You will understand that this comes amid several reports of people who have died and others falling ill after allegedly consuming food bought from spaza shops.

“Even though we have not experienced that in our area recently, it is better to be safe than sorry. This has become a matter of grave concern countrywide lately. We can confirm that expired goods worth over R350 000 were confiscated and disposed of during the campaign,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams told SABC News that they have amended the legislation to ensure that it gives authority to her department. Ndabeni-Abrahams said when she arrived in office, the Portfolio Committee did not pass any legislation that gives authority to the department.

“We have established the Township Economy Task Force, which consists of Food Manufacturers, Consumers Protection, Department of Health, Department of Home Affairs and other stakeholders.

“We have also reached out to the Department of COGHSTA because licensing lies with the municipalities. We do recognize weaknesses at the local government and that is why you see the Minister of Health getting into that space saying although the National Health Act gives authority, the National Environmental Health should visit the municipalities,” she said.

Ndabeni-Abrahams said, however, they are aware of some challenges, therefore the Department of Health will step in. She said the municipalities should strengthen the by-laws and there are the Department of Labour to ensure there is enforcement.

“We have spoken to the COGHSTA to ensure that municipalities impose compliance. Those who have the right to trade are those who have certificates to trade. That is why today, we have the Small Enterprise Act that has just been signed by the president of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramphosa.

“Why is it important to pass legislation? There are a lot of challenges experienced by entrepreneurs that require the department to have authority and time to make certain determination,” she said.

According to Ndabeni-Abrahams, without a law that empowers them, they cannot be able. She said at some point, people may recall that in 2021, during COVID-19 pandemonium, she was criticized for issuing directives on how spaza shops should operate and other informal businesses.

“We will engage the cabinet in November 2024, to bring that policy, including the Township Economic Development and Revitalisation Plan, in order to reclaim and give authority because we never imagined a situation whereby in a township, there could be an influx of illegal foreigners that can trade in the areas.

“The spaza shops were in partnership with Wholesalers and retailers. Firstly, we provided training, registration of those spaza shops and called for applications, where we needed 1000 spaza shops,” said Ndabeni-Abrahams.

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Four men accused of killing Puoeng back court

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Picture: Taung Magistrate’s Court

By REGINALD KANYANE

28 October 2024- Four accused persons aged 26 and 40, who were in connection with the murder of Alfred Ntagane Puoeng (34), are back in Taung Magistrate’s Court. Puoeng was reported missing at Pudimoe Police Station on 7 July 2024.

According to the reports, Puoeng was last seen in December 2023, when he left his home in Pudimoe. The missing man’s father allegedly received a tip-off that his son was assaulted by Keaobaka Blos, Mohau Gaobuse, Oaitse Nchweng and Rapelang Blos, for stealing a cell phone.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said in January 2024, the concerned father called other family members to check if they were not aware of the victim’s whereabouts, but nothing positive came out of that.

“In June 2024, the father eventually met the victim’s friend,

who was with him when he was assaulted. After being informed that Puoeng was severely assaulted by four people, who accused him of theft, the father reported the matter to the police.

“It transpired during investigations that four men assaulted and killed Puoeng, then buried him in a shallow grave at a farm, outside Vryburg. The accused persons were arrested at their residences in Pudimoe on 13 August 2024,” she said. 

Funani further said the accused persons initially appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 14 August 2024, and their case was postponed until 21 August 2024, for formal bail application.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all members of Pudimoe Police Station and other role players for their collaborative and investigative efforts to ensure that alleged perpetrators are brought to book.

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