Picture: Some of the counterfeit clothes seized by the police/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The shop owner who was suspected of selling counterfeit clothing was given a notice by the brand holders. This comes after counterfeit clothes worth R414 700 were seized by the police.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sgt Omphile Masegela said the items seized were handed over to the brand holders for further investigation. Masegela said continuous actions by the police as part of Operation Shanela activities are dealing with crime decisively.
“The police of Upington Border Police and Upington K9 Unit, raided a shop in Upington in conjunction with the brand holders represented by Spoor and Fischer on 24 May 2024.
“Meanwhile, in the early morning hours, the police from Upington Public Order Policing (POP) unit, were conducting crime prevention patrols when they spotted a suspicious looking man (23) in Upington CBD and stopped to search him,” she said.
Masegela further said the suspect was found to be in possession of mandrax to the estimated value of R45 000 and an amount of cash. She added that the suspect was arrested for dealing in drugs.
“On other operations, police continue to remove drugs from the streets. The police in Rietfontein confiscated madrax tablets and arrested a suspect (33) for dealing in drugs. All suspects will appear in court soon,” she said.
A man (33) was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for attempted rape. On 16 June 2023 at around 19:35 at Lokaleng Section, in Seven Miles Village, the accused, Mosimanegape Patrick Ngobene, requested a woman (21) to accompany him and friends to a tavern.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said Ngobene touched her inappropriately and slapped her in the face. He said the accused was arrested two days later and was sentenced to three years imprisonment, wholly suspended for a period of three years on 22 May 2024.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Otola lauded the Investigating Officer, D/WO Kenalemang Victoria Babeile from Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, for excellent detective work that secured the attempted rape sentence.
Picture: The flyer of an entrepreneur and writer/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Maganeng-born entrepreneur and a writer, Jeannete Gabonnwe (47) said she touches many lives through storytelling. Gabonnwe said through writing, one can express complex ideas, connect people, and inspire others.
She further said writing is an art and one needs to have a strong understanding of their audience. Gabonnwe added that one can gain audience understanding by doing in-depth research.
“So far, I have written 33 books and published more than 20 authors through my publishing company called Somarela Puo Publishers. The company was registered back in 2012 and since then, we are making in-roads.
“What I like is that, we continue to claim our niche in the publishing interplanetary, even though there are some challenges. We also sell reading books through this company and we have created a great support base,” she said.
Gabonnwe said what prompted her to be a writer and entrepreneur, was her weakness of being eccentric. She said she wanted to work at her own pace and grow her business without any validation from anyone.
“I also wanted to create employment for creative people. I normally sell many products, but some fall off the list based on the demand. My speciality is book writing and book publishing.
“In 2023, I registered a second company called Nna Lwena Ra Tswelela Projects, which trades under Nna Le Wena Enterprise. So, we sell many products under this company such as L.jscents, lj lipstick and lj lipgloss. All these are my own brands, which were derived from my own initials,” said Gabonnwe.
She said many people believe that one must be famous in order for their products to be recognised. However, Gabonnwe refuted that and said actually, “It must be who knows you, not who you know.”
“Honestly, we should not let those words derail us from our dreams because everyone starts from the bottom. I sell all household detergent products that one may think of. I also sell air fresheners, water, chicken and pigs.
“I print t-shirts, mugs, key holders and others. On t-shirts, I have a brand for ladies, a heel with a slogan: You are all that. I sell anything that I think is sellable, as long as it is legal. Tomorrow, I might sell stretch tents or jumping castles or flowers or publishing a quarterly magazine,” she said.
Gabonnwe said her products range from R50 to R400, depending on the customer’s needs. She said to publish a book will cost R7500 to R13 000.
“Customers get the products from me as I advertise them on social media platforms. They contact me and we arrange on how they can receive them. In most cases, I sell in bulk for those who want to re-sell and make extra cash.
“I really do not want to lie, being an entrepreneur comes with challenges. What makes things worse is operating from home. I have to deliver or meet up with clients at malls or restaurants because it is difficult to rent a shop due to financial constraints,” said Gabonnwe.
A mother of two children said she would like to have book printing machines and employ at least 10 people. She said her brands are sold in big retailers across the country.
Picture: Telkom copper cables seized during arrests/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Three men briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court for being in possession of copper cable with an estimated street value of R151 000. Thabang Kgalapa (33), Letlhogonolo Selaledi (34) and Kenneth Chauke (35), were arrested by the police in Pudimoe after they were allegedly seen cutting Telkom cables.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police rushed to the scene after receiving a tip-off. Myburgh said on arrival, the police found three men and the copper cable loaded on a Mercedes Benz truck.
“The accused informed the police during questioning that they were sub-contractors and instructed by Telkom to remove old cables and install new ones. However, they could not produce documentary proof to this effect and were taken to the police station for further questioning.
“Furthermore, the police contacted Telkom, who denied the allegations of contractors. The suspects were apprehended and charged with tampering with essential infrastructure. They initially appeared before the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 14 May 2024,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrest and subsequent appearance of the suspects in court. Kwena also thanked all the members involved for their dedication and quick response, which led to the arrests.
Picture: The dye-stained money found in accused position/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Four suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property and money laundering during a collaborative operation involving Rustenburg Detectives, Klerksdorp Crime Prevention and Potchefstroom Flying Squad on Friday night (17 May 2024). It is alleged that the police received a tip-off regarding a suspect at a house in Kanana Township, near Orkney.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police allegedly found a suspect, Sesing Tsabane (32) who is a Lesotho citizen in the house. Myburgh said Tsabane was arrested after chemicals, which are used to wash dye-stained notes, were found in his possession.
“The police then proceeded to a second house in Extension 5 in Alabama Township, outside Klerksdorp, where a substantial amount of dye-stained money was found. Three more suspects, Letlala Elias Qabano (36) who is also from Lesotho, Joshua Molibeli (34) and Molefe Abel Fusi (26) were arrested.
“The accused briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 20 May 2024, and were remanded in custody until their next court on 27 May 2024. The police investigation is continuing and the possibility of linking the suspects to ATM bombing cases cannot be ruled out,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the team for their efforts that led to the arrest. Kwena said police will continue to work hard to remove criminals from society.
Picture: One of the learners who were allegedly assaulted by the police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it is deeply shocked by the police’s resurgence of apartheid-era tactics that use corporal punishment on learners in this era of constitutional democracy under the ANC-led government. This comes after two learners from Rakoko Secondary School in Mabeskraal village, outside Rustenburg were admitted in hospital following the assault with intention to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) by the police.
The EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema said based on the information available to them, the police in question were allegedly invited by the school management team to conduct search and seizure. Moema alleged that the learners were assaulted without any reasonable grounds.
“It is deeply disheartening that South Africa is a country with an undeniable history of violence and to date, three decades into democracy, children continue to be at the receiving end of violence, not only at home but also in schools. The increasing number of victims of police brutality show just how the criminal justice systems failed to protect the society’s most vulnerable.
“Undeniably, our society is faced with a rapid moral erosion, but police brutality cannot be a panacea for our social challenges. As the EFF, we condemn the use of corporal punishment in schools and further call for a comprehensive investigation to expose any underlying apartheid tactics by the North West Department of Education and South African Police Services (SAPS), with a particular focus on Rakoko Secondary School,” he said.
Moema further said they will provide necessary support to the affected learners and their families to ensure that the perpetrators do not enjoy any impunity.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in the province noted with concern allegations that police officers assaulted learners at Rakoko Secondary School on 13 May 2024. The reports suggest that members conducted a safer school awareness with other stakeholders. Subsequently, some learners were taken to a separate classroom where the alleged assault occurred.
“Consequent to the incident, two counts of assault with the intent to do GBH were registered. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating. The police management does not tolerate unprofessional conduct by its members and would like to urge the public to exercise patience and allow investigations to unfold.”
Four men who were arrested for kidnapping, extortion and business robbery remanded in custody until 27 May 2024, for bail application. On Monday afternoon (20 May 2024), six suspects allegedly overpowered a man and woman at a tavern in Freedom Park, Phase 1 in Phokeng, near Rustenburg and threatened them with firearms.
They allegedly tied them up with cable ties, stole cash and cellular phones, then left the scene. It was allegedly realised a few minutes after the robbery that a boy (8), who was watching television in the tavern was missing.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said it was established that the suspects kidnapped the boy when they began to demand a ransom for his release. Myburgh said a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) from Bojanala Sub-District 2, Crime Intelligence, Cyber Crime, Phokeng Detectives, the West Rand Visible Policing and Rural Safety Units and PVT Security Company jumped into action to rescue the kidnapped boy.
“The initial investigations by the multi-disciplinary team determined that the boy was in transit in a vehicle to Soweto. With the assistance of the West Rand Police, supported by PVT Security Company, a high-speed car chase ensued in Krugersdorp, leading to a white Volkswagen Polo that was stopped and searched.
“The police found the kidnapped boy unharmed inside the vehicle, as well as the robbed cellular phones. Consequently, three suspects were arrested on the scene. Further police investigation led to the arrest of the fourth suspect two hours later in Freedom Park, Phokeng,” she said.
Myburgh further said Prince Komanisi (31), Ishmael James Saka (27), Prosperous Mthunzi Skhosana (42) and Thabang Jalvane (33), briefly appeared before the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on 22 May 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the police and other role players involved for working diligently to ensure that the alleged perpetrators are brought to book.
Picture: NWU Vice Chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka awarded National Order of Merit by France/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
The North West University vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Bismark Tyobeka said he is happy to receive a National Order of Merit from France. Tyobeka was honoured in recognition of his significant contribution to the global governance of the nuclear industry.
The prestigious National Order of Merit, also known as the l’Ordre National du Mérite was awarded on behalf of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron. The bestowing of the order was officiated by France ambassador to South Africa, David Martinon on Friday 24 May.
The ceremony took place at the picturesque Merton Keep in Pretoria, which is home to the French ambassador to South Africa. The National Order of Merit was created in 1963 and rewards distinguished merit.
In awarding the National Order of Merit, Martinon said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome you at the French residence in Pretoria to honour a great scientist, an engineer, a diplomat, a leader, but most importantly a friend of France. I am delighted to share this moment with your guests, your family as well as your friends, colleagues and fellow experts.
“Their presence is a living testimony of your continuous engagement, both professional and personal. Today is a unique occasion to highlight your numerous achievements for your country, the global nuclear industry, but most importantly your long-standing relationship with French institutions and the recognition of France in general.”
“Tyobeka has various accomplishments in the field of nuclear energy, as well as his academic pursuit and leadership qualities, amongst others. For all these reasons, I have the honour and pleasure on behalf of the French President, Emmanuel Macron to bestow upon you the title of Knight of the National Order of Merit, de vous faire chevalier de l’ordre national du mérite.”
Martinon said this was in efforts to promote collaboration between South Africa and France.
Meanwhile, Tyobeka said he is in awe and his heart is filled with gratitude and humility as he received this National Order of Merit from the President of France.
“I am grateful to the President and the French people for this honour. This prestigious award holds immense significance, not only for me but also to my family and the broader North West University community.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the President of France – Honourable Emmanuel Macron, Ambassador Martinon, and the staff and partners of the French Embassy in South Africa, who made this beautiful engagement a reality,” he said.
Tyobeka further said this honour also demonstrates a solid and healthy relationship between South Africa and France and their shared commitment and the fruitful collaboration between the two countries. He added that he also wishes to thank his family, friends and colleagues, whose continuous support has been instrumental in his professional journey.
“I would like to thank the South African government for fostering a healthy bilateral partnership with France. It is through this relationship that we can effectively collaborate with our counterparts across various industries and drive our countries forward.
“Our joint efforts contribute to the well-being of our people and the planet. I am proud to be part of this ongoing partnership and collaboration,” said Tyobeka.
Picture: A traffic officer nabbed for bribery/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A traffic officer (39) from the JB Marks Local Municipality arrested for bribery on 23 May 2024. It is alleged that Tumelo Jeffrey Tau (39), stopped the driver of a truck and informed him that he had outstanding traffic fines.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the truck was impounded and the driver was ordered to pay money in order for the truck to be released.
“After receiving the information, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) members arranged an undercover operation, wherein the accused was arrested after receiving the money.
“Tau was granted R1000 bail on appearance before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court. Tau’s case was postponed until 1 July 2024,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) for arresting the accused.
Picture: The missing Ethiopian teenager, Firehiwot Alamu/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The police in Klerksdorp are requesting the community’s assistance in locating a missing Ethiopian teenager, Firehiwot Alamu (17). Alamu resides at Anderson Street, Latham in Klerksdorp.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, Alamu was last seen by her teacher on 18 March 2024. Myburgh said a search was conducted around the township and surrounding areas of Klerksdorp without any success.
“Extensive investigations were done and all leads were followed up with no success. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing maroon pants, a maroon and green T-shirt, green jersey and white tekkies.
“She is dark in complexion with brown eyes, a medium built body, 1.6m in height and long black hair. Anyone who may have information regarding Alamu’s whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Capt Kagiso Disipi on 082 856 1748 or call Crime Stop on08600 10111,” she said.
Myburgh said anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smartphone.
The Guardian 