Picture: Missing James Mogotsi Mmolotsane/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The police in Phokeng request the community’s assistance in locating James Mogotsi Mmolotsane (23), who is residing at Mafenya Rasimone Section in Phokeng, outside Rustenburg. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Mmolotsane was last seen by his mother on 12 July 2024, when he left home to buy cigarettes at a local tuckshop with his dog.
“Three days later, the dog returned, but Mmolotsane never did. A search was conducted around the township and surrounding areas of Phokeng without any success. Furthermore, extensive investigations were done and all leads were followed up with no success.
“At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a mustard jacket and light brown trousers. He is dark in complexion, with a slender build body,1.6m tall and has black hair,” she said.
Myburgh further said anyone with information regarding Mmolotsane’s whereabouts, can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Johanna Masenya of Phokeng Detectives on (014) 566 1700 or 073 801 7173. She added that those who have information can go to the nearest police station.
“Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS App on your smartphone or alternatively call Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” said Myburgh.
Picture: Some of dagga confiscated by police/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
A woman (48) was arrested for dealing in drugs. This comes after the members from Crime Intelligence in ZF Mgacwu District received a tip-off pertaining to the storage of drugs at a premises in Rosedale.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said on Friday, a tactical intelligence operation was executed at the identified address on Friday.
“This was done in conjunction with crime intelligence and Upington Border Police. On arrival, a suspect was found on the premises and a search was conducted in her presence. The search led to the discovery of dagga to an estimated value of R42 525,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the police and urged the community to report drug-related activities in order to aid the police in the eradication of drugs in the province. Otola said this will ensure that dealers are brought to book.
A woman (34), who brutally assaulted her former boyfriend (48) in Loxton, was sentenced to six years imprisonment by De Aar Circuit Regional Court. On 18 November 2023 at approximately 22:50, Petronella Vink stabbed and beat her ex-boyfriend with a hammer after he ended the relationship with her.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said Vink was immediately arrested. Kock said she abandoned her bail and remained in custody up until her sentencing.
“Vink was found guilty on assault with the intent to commit Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and sentenced to six years direct imprisonment. She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“Detective Constable Leevirne Raaf from the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, led the meticulous investigation that ensured that no impunity was granted to the perpetrator of the heinous offence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kock said the SAPS welcomes the six year prison sentence that was handed to Vink.
Picture: Former senior manager at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality arrested by the Hawks/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The former Senior Manager at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality in Ganyesa, was arrested along with her partner for alleged corruption. The suspect (37) and her partner (39), were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Brits on Friday.
According to the Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, the duo’s arrest emanates from an investigation into allegations of corruption in the awarding of a tender to supply and deliver eight laptops for the municipality.
“Investigation revealed that a senior municipal official allegedly awarded her alleged partner’s company a tender to the tune of R185 000 to supply and deliver the laptops.
“Further probe uncovered that the tender was awarded to a bidder with the highest quotation to other bidders. In March 2018, the municipality reportedly paid a company belonging to the municipal official’s partner an amount of R185 000,” he said.
Mathebula further said upon receiving the funds, the alleged partner to the municipal official, allegedly transferred an amount of R150 000 to a company belonging to his partner, the municipal official. He added that the pair has been charged with corruption and will appear in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 22 July 2024.
Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated by police/Supplied
By BAKANG MAKOTO
Three foreign nationals aged 28, 40 and 41, were arrested for dealing in drugs and transporting of drugs, defeating the ends of justice, and attempted murder. On 19 July 2024, the members from Springbok Public Order Police who were conducting routine crime prevention duties, received a tip-off regarding a vehicle with three foreign nationals believed to be transporting drugs from Okiep to Port Nolloth.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the police immediately operationalised the information and at approximately 23:30, they spotted the vehicle on the N7, near Steinkopf. Ehlers said they cordoned off the road in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
“However, the driver sped off when he saw the police. The police gave chase and noticed that one of the suspects was throwing objects out the window. Police managed to stop the vehicle and recovered a consignment of drugs as well as a scale.
“Tik, mandrax tablets, and mandrax powder with an estimated value of R72 636 were recovered and confiscated as well as cash believed to the proceeds of crime. The Toyota Corolla that the suspects were traveling in was also seized,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ehlers said the police in the Namakwa District will continue to vigorously police priority crimes, including drug related crimes throughout the district.
Picture: Heaven Sereetsi (NWU Eagles to Cape Town City)
By REGINALD KANYANE
It was an amazing season for some of the stars of the Varsity Football 2023 season, whose performances got the attention of Premier Soccer League (PSL) scouts and the women’s national team.
In true grassroots to greatness fashion, the Varsity Football tournament prides itself as a dynamic breeding ground for future football stars and in the past has produced several big names that went on to become successful on the provincial and national stage.
“Last year’s edition followed suit with several players kick-starting their professional careers. The NWU winger, Heaven Sereetsi had an outstanding season as the Eagles captain and his effort were duly rewarded with a PSL contract.
“Sereetsi had signed on the dotted line for the Citizens. In the UWC camp, striker Leandro De Sousa was approached by Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Pretoria Callies and accepted the offer while goalkeeper Leathan Croats got approached by Mamelodi Sundowns to play for the club’s Diski Challenge, but declined the offer.”
The university said VUT midfielder Medupi Thokolo was a standout performer for the Mavuti family and joined NFD side Casric Stars. It said the Varsity Football women’s tournament has in the past produced numerous stars, who went onto represent Banyana Banyana and with national coach, Desiree Ellis often coming out to watch the tournament.
“It’s no surprise that the class of 2023, saw several stars making their debut for the national side. The class of 2023 saw Ayesha Moosa (UJ), Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (TUT) and Chelsea Daniels (UWC) all being scouted to represent Banyana Banyana at the COSAFA Women’s Championships after the tournament ended.
“Chelsea and Tshogofatso were nominated for FNB Player of the Tournament. With the 2024 men’s tournament kicking off on 25 July and the women’s tournament on 26 July we can’t wait to see which players will emerge as the stars of the future.”
Two teachers who were implicated in a cheating scandal at Reivilo High School in Taung, were expelled. This comes after they were found guilty of assisting Grade 12 learners to engage in irregular practices to obtain an unfair advantage during the writing of the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
According to our highly-placed source, the teachers received expulsion letters on Friday. It is alleged that accounting learners cheated and the North West Department of Education withheld their results.
Some of the affected learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, cited that even though they cheated during the final examinations, these teachers were aiding them.
“The question paper was leaked by certain teachers and we had to fork R3000 per learner. So, I’m still sitting at home without knowing my fate. It is true that our results were withheld and the department said, we will only be eligible to write the accounting question paper in November 2025.
“We are prohibited from writing the subject for two years. They said we will only be allowed to write the November 2024 examination, once the sanction period has expired,” she said.
She said this has affected her livelihoods because she does not know what the future holds for her anymore. According to the learner, nothing has been done to those teachers who were implicated in cheating, but only learners were forced to bear the brunt.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “Remember, this particular issue lies with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) now. They are the ones in charge and investigating it. So, that means as the MEC affected, I must find ways to write to the DBE and request a final report on the matter. Indeed, this issue deals with the future of Grade 12 learners, who were affected including teachers who were implicated.
“So, we must find closure as a matter of urgency, more especially as we prepare for the National Senior Certificate examinations for 2024 academic year. We need to make sure that this matter reaches its finality.”
The Mamelodi Magistrates’ Court denied a Gauteng Provincial Traffic official Zakhele Bennet Hlongwane (53) from Mamelodi bail. Hlongwane is facing a charge of premeditated murder of his wife Tili Desire Ngobeni (33), as well as a charge of pointing of a firearm and housebreaking with intent to murder.
It is alleged that on 1 April 2024 at around 5am, the accused went to the deceased place of residence in Mamelodi. On arrival, Hlongwane broke open the deceased room door and began to shoot her multiple times in the presence of their five and three-year-old children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng Lumka Mahanjana said after the brother of the deceased heard the gunshots, he came out of his room and the accused pointed at him with a firearm.
“An hour later, Hlongwane handed himself over to the Mamelodi Police Station and has been in custody since. In court through his legal representative, he asked to be released on bail because after committing the offences, he had an opportunity to flee, but rather submitted himself to the police.
“Moreover, he needed to take care of his daughter (15) and feared that his place of residence would continue being vandalized by criminals. However, state prosecutor Tshilidzi Mugeri opposed the bail application saying that the accused personally knows the witnesses, therefore granting him bail will endanger the lives of the witnesses and the court has the duty and responsibility to ensure their safety.
“Moreover, he said, the court should take into consideration the prevalence of this offence as South Africa has a notably high rate of femicide cases. Furthermore, the state submitted that the court must ensure that such murderers are not granted bail,” she said.
During bail judgement, magistrate Mlombo said he believes that the state has a strong case against the accused and that his minor daughter being affected by his incarceration isn’t exceptional. He added that the fact that the accused handed himself over to the police isn’t exceptional either rather it was the right thing to do.
“The court found that there is a likelihood that the accused will evade trial because if he is found guilty the prescribed minimum sentence of premeditated murder is life imprisonment. Furthermore, he said the accused failed to convince the court that exceptional circumstances exist which in the interest of justice warrant his release on bail.
“Therefore, bail was denied. The matter has been postponed to 18 September 2024 for further investigations,” said Mahanjana.
Two Zimbabweans were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court for corruption and contravention of Immigration Act 13 of 2002. In September 2023, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested Bongikosi Moyo (40) for allegedly operating a drug laboratory in Klipgat.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Col Tinyiko Mathebula said following the arrest, the investigating officer on the matter was reportedly approached by Dalubuhle Ncube (42), who is the brother of the arrested suspect. Mathebula said Ncube offered the investigating officer a gratification in order not to oppose bail on his brother’s case.
“The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation was activated, and an undercover operation was conducted, which led to the arrest of two foreign nationals soon after paying the investigating officer R10 000. After making a series of court appearances, the accused were found guilty and sentenced.
“Ncube was sentenced to six years imprisonment for corruption, with one year suspended. He was also sentenced to two years imprisonment for contravention of Immigration Act, with one year suspended. Moyo was only sentenced to two years imprisonment for contravention of Immigration Act, with one year suspended,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West acting Hawks Head, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, welcomed the sentencing and applauded the investigating officer for maintaining integrity in the performance of her duties.
Picture: The police confiscate a motor gate battery suspected to be stolen/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
Two suspects aged 35 and 36 were arrested with suspected stolen goods on 18 July 2024. The suspects were arrested by the Upington Border Police during a crime combating operation.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said during routine patrols, the police allegedly came across the suspects in possession of a motor gate battery and a roll of electric fence to the value of R1100.
“The duo could not provide any proof of ownership nor details of the origin of the items. The suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods. They are expected to appear in court soon.
“While the police continued with their duties, they conducted a search at a premises, during which they discovered R200 fake notes believed to be in the process of printing counterfeit currency,” said Masegela.
She said there were no suspects linked to the incident and an inquiry has been registered for further investigation.
