Setshwantsho: Moithuti o beteletswe kwa sekolong se se potlana sa St Paul’s
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Sepodisi se tlhalositse fa baithuti ba le batlhano ba ba latofadiwang ka go betelela moithuti jaaka bone kwa sekolong se se potlana sa St Pauls mono Taung, ba tlile go latofadiwa semmuso mo letsatsing la Labobedi.
Go begwa fa baithuti ba, ba ile ba betelela moithuti wa dingwaga di le 13 kwa sekolong ka di 17 Moranang 2024. Fela, go ya ka dipego, sekolo ga sa itsise motlhokomedi wa mongongoregi ka tiragalo e, gonne se ne se batla go e dira pipanapipe.
Fela, go begwa ka di 23 Moranang 2024, mosi one wa tswa ka sekhurumelo fa motlhokomedi wa mongongoregi ane a longwa tsebe. Go begwa fa motlhokomedi o, ane a tsena kwa sekolong a shakgetse, ebile a angwa fela ke tse a neng a di apere.
Sebueledi sa Lefapha la Thuto mo Bokone Bophirima, Mphata Molokwane o tlhalositse fa dipatlisiso mo morerong o, di tsweletse. Molokwane are lefapha le paletswe ke go bona tharabololo mo morerong o, mme kgang e, e ile ya fetisediwa kwa sepodising.
“Gone go na le tlhakatlhakano mo dintlheng mabapi le tiragalo e, mme re ile ra bona fa go le botokwa gore re letle sepodisi go ka dira tiro ya sone jaaka ele bomaitsanape mo morerong o, ga mmogo le go batlisisa bo nnete jwa kgang,” Molokwane wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are: “Kgetsi ya petelelo kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa e ile ya bulwa ka di 3 Motsheganong 2024. Go tlhatlhobiwa ga baithuti bano, go tlile go diriwa ka di 21 Motsheganong 2024, mme morago ga moo, batla latofadiwa semmuso.
“Fela, ba tlile go bewa ka fa tlase ga tlhokomelo ya batsadi ba bone, gonne ba santse ba le kwa tlase ka dingwaga.”
Picture: The murder accused, Bongane Gregory Shebi
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder case against a man (24), who allegedly killed a nurse at Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke back in 2022, has been postponed until Tuesday. This comes after Bongane Gregory Shebi, who was represented by the legal aid lawyer, opted to hire his own private lawyer.
The magistrate gave the accused time to appoint and engage with his own legal team, before the case could resume. Shebi is facing a charge of murder and robbery after he allegedly killed Iris Mamotlakana Mohokare in cold-blood at her rented home in Ipeleng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on 12 October 2022.
The then National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, Mohokare’s bloodied body was discovered by her landlord on 13 October 2022, with her throat cut open.
Mamothame further said the landlord subsequently informed the police, who immediately started investigating the cause of her death.
“The accused became a person of interest after police received information, while doing investigations, that he was spotted not far from where the incident took place, walking with bloodied clothes. A search for him ensued and he was ultimately arrested on 15 October 2022.
“Upon arrival at the police station, Shebi informed the police of his intention to confess. He was subsequently taken in for a confession to be obtained and later took the police to point out where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing,” he said.
Mamothame added that the accused alleged he was in the company of another person, but the motive only became clear in the accused person’s confession, that he and another person intended to rob the deceased. He said Shebi alleged that he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but it was the person whom he was with.
“The police have indicated that, evidence obtained at the scene, indicated that only one person was at the scene at the time of the commissioning of this offence. Investigations have been completed and the state is ready to proceed with trial.
“Meanwhile, Shebi will remain in police custody until the completion of his trial after his bail application was rejected. During the pre-trial conference, the state and the defence attorney confirmed that consultations were completed and all the necessary documents were provided by the state,” said Mamothame.
The former ANCYL president, Collen Maine said he is adamant that young people across the North West will vote for the ANC during General National Elections (GNE) on 29 May 2024. Maine, who is also a candidate to be a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), engaged with young people at Da Boggies Pub in Taung on 19 May 2024.
He further said the ANCYL has organised this program as part of its social engagement. Maine added that they have decided to come to the Da Boggies Pub inquest of engaging with young people.
“The ANCYL is aware that young people like socialising and this is the place to find them. Our presence here is to motivate them to take part in the upcoming elections and vote for the ANC.
“As the ANC, we believe that we are the only organisation that can take South Africa forward. We admit that there are challenges, however, we must all agree that Taung and South Africa at large, is a better place to be as opposed to pre-1994,” he said.
Maine said the government has introduced many programs that talk to youth development. He said they also encourage young people to take their education seriously as is paid by NSFAS.
Meanwhile, ANCYL spokesperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Amogelang Maretela said: “We had a successful turnout. This was initiated by the ANCYL in Taung Sub-region. Part of this engagement was to recruit young people and encourage them to rally behind the banner of the ANCYL.
“The ANCYL is vibrant and can recruit young people anywhere at any time. ANC is a broader church and we want to make sure that there is high visibility of the ruling party ahead of the much-anticipated elections.”
Maretela said they want to make sure that the ANC wins the elections with high margins. He said they would like to encourage young people who have registered and eligible to vote, to go out in numbers to the polls.
“We would like to remind them that their vote is their voice. So, it is pivotal to go and exercise their rights. They can go and vote for any political party of their choice, but we would like to remind them that the ANC has created many opportunities, especially for young people.
“Some of young people are being ignorant, hence the low margin of voter’s registration. They should go and vote to raise their voice,” he said.
Maretela said they urge young people to form co-operatives and go to TVET colleges to learn essential skills.
The North West Department said they condemn the incident at Sediba Thuto Primary School in Magogong village, near Taung, where a Grade 7 learner was allegedly assaulted by a teacher. It is alleged that, a learner did not do his homework and the teacher resorted to corporal punishment, resulting in leaving a learner with a swollen finger.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said it is totally illegal and thus criminal to administer corporal punishment to a learner or any person. Molokwane further said South African Schools Act (SASA), has abolished corporal punishment in 1996.
“The department has received this disturbing information on Friday. Labour Relations officers have visited the school to conduct a preliminary investigation. Following that, the teacher who practised corporal punishment on a Grade 7 learner, will face disciplinary action.
“As department, we denounce these atrocities because we believe that no human being should be tortured in this manner,” he added.
The chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) at Sediba Thuto Primary School, Granny Kgachane said they are aware of the incident. Kgachane said they condemn the incident as corporal punishment has long been abolished.
“After the incident, we had a meeting with the school management, where we raised our concerns. We advised that this matter be reported to the North West Department of Education at the District level,” she said.
Meanwhile, the COSAS national coordinator, Sello Matlhadisa said: “There is nothing above the law, including corporal punishment. So, any corporal punishment practice will not be tolerated.
“This is something that is illegal and out of order. We agree that we are living in an era, where learners are becoming ill-disciplined. However, the disciplinary measures in schools should go hand-in-hand with academics.”
Matlhadisa said for example, if a learner makes noise in the class, while the educator is teaching, let that learner come forward and present a topic in front of other learners. He said they know that some of these learners are afraid to come and present in front of other learners, so they will be afraid to make noise instead.
“These are the things that should be implemented and assist learners to grow. We cannot resolve issues through violence. Most teachers leave their homes after quarreling with their husbands or wives, and going to school carrying the burden.
“Now, they sometimes take out that anger on learners. Those teachers who are faced with any challenges, should go and see the nearest social workers to clear their minds,” he said.
Last week I signed the National Health Insurance Act into law, bringing our country one step closer towards universal health coverage. This is a milestone in our quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of good health and well-being for all.
For many years, we have had parallel healthcare systems operating in our country. The majority of the population, some 84%, uses public health facilities, while 16% are covered by medical schemes, enabling them to access private health care facilities. A small percentage of people use both.
This has perpetuated inequality, with the quality of health care one receives being determined by one’s ability to pay. This runs contrary to our aspiration to be a society that is just and equal.
While achieving social justice is a key objective of National Health Insurance (NHI), efficiency and better resource allocation are equally important. We have said that the real challenge in implementing NHI lies not in the lack of funds but in the misallocation of resources that currently favour the private health sector at the expense of public health needs.
There is a misconception that the private health care sector operates and is funded completely independently of the government.
Firstly, the training of doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel that work in both the public and private sectors is subsidised by the state. Secondly, as an employer, the state pays billions of rands annually in subsidies for employees who are members of the various public sector medical aid schemes. Thirdly, taxpayers claim tax rebates for medical aid expenses amounting to approximately R37 billion. This is the money the state should earn in taxes which it foregoes to subsidise private health care.
We therefore have a situation where the state both directly and indirectly helps to fund a private health care sector that serves only a minority of society.
Access to private health care through medical aids is also costly for users. It is said that without the tax rebate private healthcare would not be affordable to the majority of users. Medical aid contributions are increasing faster than inflation. At the same time, benefits are being reduced. As the 2016 Healthcare Market Inquiry found, private healthcare services and medical scheme cover is frequently over-used without clear improvements in health outcomes.
The resources that are spent both by the state and private individuals can therefore be more efficiently used to build a single, unitary health care system that serves all.
Some people have claimed that the NHI will signal the end of private health care. To the contrary, the NHI aims to use the respective strengths and capabilities of both the private and public health sectors to build a single, quality health system for all.
South Africa’s private health sector has world-class expertise and is a major source of domestic and foreign investment. The public sector too has numerous centres of excellence and is staffed by well-trained, experienced personnel.
The NHI Fund will procure services from accredited public and private service providers for every person in need of health care.
The NHI will be a lifeline for millions of poor South Africans whose resources will be freed up for other essential needs. It will also alleviate the burden on those who are increasingly paying more in medical aid premiums for increasingly fewer services.
There may be different views on how NHI will be progressively implemented, the reality we must confront is that the current healthcare system is unsustainable.
Access to quality, decent healthcare should not depend on one’s ability to pay. The current situation does not serve the poor, does not serve the middle-class and does not serve the country.
With careful planning, effective oversight and monitoring, and the strategic allocation of resources we can achieve universal health coverage. Working together in partnership, as both the public and private sectors, we can make the dream of quality health care for all a reality.
Picture: Iranian President, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi
By OBAKENG MAJE
The heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the death of Iranian President, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and personnel. Raisi died when their helicopter crashed in East Azerbaijan, while the leaders were en route back to Iran on 19 May 2024.
The president of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa said is deeply saddened by the air disaster that has claimed lives. Ramaphosa said on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, he offered his deep condolences to the Supreme Leader of Iran, The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and the government and people of the Islamic Republic.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the late President and Foreign Minister, as well as the relatives of the personnel and air crew who perished. I, as Deputy President, paid a working visit to Iran in November 2015.
“This is an extraordinary, unthinkable tragedy that has claimed a remarkable leader of a nation with whom South Africa enjoys strong bilateral relations and whom we were honoured to welcome to the BRICS fold in Johannesburg in 2023,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said their hearts go out to the affected families and the administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He added that they are with Iran in this moment of mourning.
More than 11000 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela, which was conducted between 13 -19 May 2024. The police in North West said the operation yielded positive results after suspects were arrested for various crimes across the province.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises.
Funani said others were nabbed for possession of drugs, theft out of/from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Of the 1128 arrested suspects, 547 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) assault common, house robbery and business robbery, while 363 were held during detective suspect raiding operations.
“In addition, 73 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing. The arrests were effected during stop and searches, road blocks, patrols, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, Second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others,” she said.
Funani further said the operations also culminated in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, 26 cell phones, copper cables, 84 ammunition, three firearms, liquor and one vehicle. She added that during the operations, four illegal liquor outlets/shebeens were shut down.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, praised the police and other role players, who were involved in the operations. Kwena also thanked them for all the time that they dedicated in making sure that the province is protected and safe.
A man (55) was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment by the Upington Regional Court for rape. The accused raped his granddaughter (15).
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the victim was staying with her grandparents. Masegela said during the night of 13 August 2023, she was at home and went to use the toilet around 00:30 when her grandfather raped her.
“The victim reported the incident to her grandmother the next morning and reported it to the police. The accused was arrested the same day and charged with rape. He was denied bail and remained in custody during the period of trial,” said Masegela.
Meanwhile, Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Otola welcomed the sentence and applauded the investigating officer on the case, Sergeant Lucky Malepe, for the meticulous investigation, which resulted in the victim feeling safe again.
A man was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Hopetown District Court for contravention of the protection order issued against him. A protection order was issued against Warren Vivian George (33) following a dispute against his grandmother (80).
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said George contravened the conditions set out by the court in a domestic violence protection order reported by the victim.
“On 10 March 2024, the accused assaulted and insulted his grandmother, who was in possession of a protection order against him.
“The court found the accused guilty as charged and imposed three years prison sentence for contravention of a protection order and also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Katlego Chabagae for ensuring that the terms of a protection order are respected and perpetrators of elderly care rights are brought to book.
Picture: The retired ConCourt Judge, the late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late retired Constitutional Judge, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 1. Mokgoro, who was an esteemed Member of the Order of the Baobab, passed away on 9 May 2024 at the age of 73.
Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said in recognition of Mokgoro’s distinguished career and contribution to the nation, Ramaphosa has declared, in terms of Chapter 1.3.2(a) of the State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy Manual, that the late justice be accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 1.
“The distinguishing features of a special official funeral in this category include ceremonial elements by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Ramaphosa has also declared that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations around the country from 19 May 2024, until the evening of the funeral on 23 May 2024.
“Further details of the funeral, which will be held in Johannesburg, will be made known in due course. Mokgoro was one of the first Justices to be appointed to the Constitutional Court when it was established in 1994. She was also the first black woman judge of the apex court,” he said.
Magwenya further said during Mokgoro’s legal career, she taught a number of law courses at universities in South Africa, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. He added that she was a member of the International Women’s Association (Washington DC), the International Association of Women Judges, the International Federation of Women Lawyers and the South African Women Lawyers Association.
“In 2006, she was selected as an icon of the history of Women Lawyers in South Africa,” said Magwenya.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Northern Cape said Mokgoro’s partner, David Mmelesi might face charges of culpable homicide. This comes after she was horribly injured in a car accident near Warrenton in Northern Cape last year.
This forced her to withdraw from any public engagement to focus on her recovery. However, she passed away recently and Mmelesi, who was allegedly the driver during a car crash, was charged for reckless and negligent driving.
Mmelesi is currently out on warning.
The NPA spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said: “He is criminally charged and facing one count of reckless and negligent driving. There is a possibility of amending his charges to culpable homicide following the death of the judge.
“The accused will be back in the Barkley West Magistrate’s Court on 30 May 2024. Mmelesi briefly appeared on a J175 and is currently on warning.”
The Guardian 