Picture: The deceased, Moseki Patrick Dipheko/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Dipheko family in Ipelegeng Township, outside Schweizer Reneke said it is reeling in shock after the death of their uncle, Moseki Patrick Dipheko (45).

The family spokesperson, Kelebogile Agnes Dipheko said Patrick was admitted at Schweizer Reneke Hospital on 17 December 2023, but they were jolted when they received a call from the police informing them that their uncle was found dead and floating in Wenzel Dam.  

“Our uncle had a knee injury and he was admitted to hospital for medical attention. However, it was detected that he had Tuberculosis (TB). Unfortunately, we were surprised to receive a call from the police informing us about his passing.

“We do not know how he left the hospital and ended up at Wenzel Dam. We have not received any call from the hospital to inform us about his disappearance. So, as a family, we are really disappointed and demand answers from the hospital,” she said.

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said an inquest case has been opened.

“Yes, the police are aware of the matter. The investigation indicates that the deceased went missing from the Schweizer Reneke Hospital. The police were alerted of a body floating in a river on 23 December 2023,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “Dipheko was a treatment defaulter and brought in by an ambulance from home. He was admitted to the hospital on 15 December 2023.

“On 17 December 2023 at around 2pm, the patient had a brief psychotic disorder/acute and was in confusional state. Dipheko absconded on 17 December 2023 at around 9:30pm and he was found dead on 23 December 2023 at Wenzel Dam, which is a Holiday spot near the hospital.

“The police were notified the same night and requested assistance to search for the patient. The Nursing Manager who was on call that night, tried to call the family on the two cell phone numbers on the patient’s file, but they both went on voicemail,” he said.

Lekgethwane further said the following morning on 18 December 2023, the Manager handed over the report to the Nursing Manager in charge of day duty. He added that, on 19 December 2023, a family member came to visit the patient and a staff member, who the family member could not identify, informed her that the patient was missing.

“On 22 December 2023, a neighbour came to visit the patient and the staff member who met her, notified her that the patient is missing. On 23 December 2023, the acting Nursing Services Manager went to the family and informed them that the patient was missing (after an unidentified body was found by the police in the veld),” said Lekgethwane.

He said the family was formally notified after the picture identification by the police on 25 December 2023.

“On 27 December 2023, the police took the family to the Forensic Mortuary for a physical identification,” said Lekgethwane.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (36) has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for Contravention of Section 22 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No. 32 of 2007) by the Rustenburg Regional Court. Zoliswa Menziwa was found with five other congregants naked, together with 11 children in a house that was used as a church at Sondela Phase 1, Boitekong Township, outside Rustenburg on 1 June 2022. 

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said Menziwa was the only individual who was found clothed at the time and she was allegedly the church leader. Tselanyane further said subsequent to preliminary investigations, all children between the ages of 4 and 12 (six boys and five girls), were removed from the house and handed to social workers for intervention.

“They were ultimately placed under the care of other family members. The case was then allocated to the Rustenburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation. 

“Subsequent to thorough investigations conducted by the Unit Commander, Colonel Mosidi Mafora and Warrant Officer Phiri Mfetane, the accused was found guilty as charged, while the other five accused were acquitted,” he said. 

Tselenyane added that Menziwa was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that she is not convicted of the same charge during the period of suspension.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the sentencing of the accused. Kwena said the police remain committed to fighting crimes against women and children. 

“Defending the vulnerable will always remain a priority for the men and women in blue in the province. We also laud the Investigating Team for the sterling job in ensuring that the perpetrators of this kind of crimes face the full might of the law,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Department of Health said it is concerned about the high rate of teenage pregnancies. This comes after the youngest mother  to give birth on Christmas Day in the province, was only 15.

The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said, the youngest mother gave birth in Ganyesa District Hospital at around 10:38pm. Lekgethwane said she delivered an African male though NVD weighing more than 3890g, however, the condition of mother and baby was satisfactory.

“The total babies born in the North West were 121 (67 girls and 54 boys). Total babies born in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District were 22, while 37 were born in Bojanala, 37 in Ngaka Modiri Molema and 24 in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

“The oldest mother was 48, who delivered at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital. She delivered a NVD, an African male of 3400g, 1975/11/13 at around 1:56am. The conditions of the mother and the baby were satisfactory,” he said.

Lekgethwane further said the total number of teenage pregnancies from 18 years and younger (from 2005) consists of 4 in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 4 in Bojanala, 5 in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and and 2 in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

He added that they will intensify evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs to educate young girls about teenage pregnancy and the importance of prevention.

Meanwhile, the www.cdc.gov website said: “The teen pregnancy and childbearing are associated with increased social and economic costs through immediate and long-term effects on teen parents and their children. Pregnancy and birth are significant contributors to high school dropout rates among girls.

“Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school Diploma by 22 years of age, whereas approximately 90% of women who do not give birth during adolescence graduate from high school. The children of teenage mothers are more likely to have lower school achievement and to drop out of high school, have more health problems, be incarcerated at some time during adolescence, give birth as a teenager, and face unemployment as a young adult.”

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