By OBAKENG MAJE

A 43-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment to pay an R25 000 fine by the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Nyoni Mambunganye was found guilty of contravening Customs & Excise Act 91 of 1964 by failing to declare goods upon entering the Republic.

The accused was arrested on 01 August 2023 at the Kopfontein Border Post after he had allegedly lied to SARS Customs officials that the truck he was driving was not carrying cargo. Upon searching the truck, officials allegedly found master cases of cigarettes concealed in hidden compartments.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said after entering into a plea agreement with the State when he appeared in court, Mambunganye was found guilty and sentenced to R25 000 fine or 24 months imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Trevor Oosthuizen (50), Virginia Motshabi (50), and Ernest Langa (54) were on Thursday, sentenced to five years wholly suspended sentence by the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court, after they were found guilty of unlawful dealing in and trafficking in wildlife. Mathebula further said the accused were given a wholly suspended sentence on condition that they pay R40 000 each to the Johannesburg Wildlife Hospital.

“In April 2022, the accused along with the fourth accused, who has absconded after being granted bail, were arrested at Mahikeng Mall after they were caught in possession of a pangolin. They were arrested soon after trying to sell the pangolin to a buyer for the value of R250 000.

“The accused made a series of court appearances until their conviction and sentencing. A warrant of arrest has since been issued against the fourth accused who is still at large,” he added.

Meanwhile, The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the investigation and prosecution team for their collaboration and resultant convictions. They have assured the public that the Directorate and NPA will continue to work together to address crimes against endangered species.

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa/Google

By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

This year marks 25 years of diplomatic ties between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China. Our bilateral relationship with our largest trading partner is almost as old as our democracy. On Tuesday we will receive Chinese President Xi Jinping on his fourth state visit to South Africa. President Xi will also participate in the 15th BRICS Summit being hosted in Johannesburg.

 Energy cooperation between South Africa and China is a focus area that holds great promise. In June this year companies from both countries participated in a New Energy Investment and Cooperation Conference, which looked at opportunities for collaboration in the green economy, the just energy transition and on the transfer of science and technology.

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Picture: The missing Thato Ralesile (2)/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Pudimoe request the community’s assistance in locating Thato Ralesile (2), who resides at Myra village, near Pudimoe. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Thato was last seen playing in her aunt’s yard on Saturday at about 5pm.

“She wore a red tracksuit top, cream trousers, and pink tekkies during her disappearance. Since her disappearance, a search was conducted by the police, family, and community around the village without any success.

“Today, the search continues with K9 and Mounted Units of the police added to the search party. Anyone with information regarding Thato’s whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Capt Obakeng Phirichwane of Pudimoe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) on 060 967 3947 or your nearest police station,” she said.

Myburgh said anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App from your smartphone.

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players/Google

Bafana Bafana will play three international friendly matches at home and one away in the coming weeks as coach Hugo Broos prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire in January next year, and for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao confirmed that the South African senior men’s national team will host Namibia on 9 September 2023 (kick-off is at 15h00), DR Congo on 12 September (18h00) and Eswatini on 13 October. Coach Broos’ charges will then travel to the west of the continent to face Africa Cup of Nations hosts Côte d’Ivoire on 17 October, five days after the AFCON draw.

“These matches are in support of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos as he continues with his preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in the beginning of next year, and the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November this year,” the SAFA CEO said.

The venues of the matches in South Africa will be confirmed in the coming weeks.    

“The national team has been going from strength to strength, and we at 10bet can’t wait for the upcoming international friendlies to kick off. Millions of football enthusiasts and the nation at large have your back, and this is an opportunity to continue rallying behind the team along their exciting journey ahead. Good Luck Bafana Bafana, you have our support”, said Nick Moyo, Sponsorship Manager at 10bet South Africa.

The South African senior national team was placed in Group C at the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers conducted in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in July 2023, and they were pitted against Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. The World Cup qualifiers will start in November this year and wrap up in 2025. The Africa Cup of Nations will be held from 13 January to 11 February 2024.

Source: www.safa.net

Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Ba lelapa la ga Chupane kwa motseng wa Cokonyane, gaufi le Taung ba kaile fa loso la ga Tshepang Chupane le ba utlwisitse botlhoko. Go begwa fa Tshepang a tlhabilwe ka sengwe se se bogale ke molatofadiwa, Thatayaone Senyasamore (29) mo legetleng.  

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, o kaile fa tiragalo e ele ya ha masigo a sa mo letsatsing la Tshipi. Van Rooyen are, sepodisi se ile sa bilediwa kwa kliniking ya selegae kwa Cokonyane morago ga gore banna ba le bararo ba ise moswi, Tshepang yo one a na le dintho tsa go tlhabiwa teng go bona thuso.

“Fela, go kaiwa fa Tshepang a ne a sentse a tlogetse lefatshe le le ka kwano fa a goroga kwa kliniking. Dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di kaile fa gone ga bulwa kgetsi ya polao, mme Senyasamore one a tshwarwa. One a tlhageletse kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung, mme kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka Mosupologo mo bekeng e e tlang,” Van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, motlogole Tshepang, Nonosi Chupane are se se diragaletseng lelapa la bone se botlhoko.

“Tota nna ke le esi, kene kere a mo hitlhe. Ga re itse gore sebakwa sa tiragalo e ke eng gonne batho ba bangwe ba kaya fa Senyasamore a ne a nolwe ke lekgarebe lengwe, mme lene la kopa go tsamaya le Tshepang. Go kaiwa fa lekgarebe leo, le dula mo kgaolong e le nngwe le Tshepang.

“Fela, ga re itse bo nnete jwa kgang gonne re ne re seo. Go tlhalositswer fa seo se ile sa tlhola ntwa gareng ga Senyasamore le Tshepang. Gatwe, Senyasamore o ile a lwantsha Tshepang le go mo tlhaba ka screw driver. Hela jaaka ke buile, ga re na bo nnete jwa kgang eo, gonne nna ke ne ke seo,” Chupane wa tlhalosa.

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Picture: Modimong Game Reserve Tourism Site/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Residents in Modimong village, near Taung, urge the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism to ensure that the Modimong Game Reserve Tourism project gets off the ground. 

It is alleged that the department has already spent R1 million on the project, but it remains a pipe dream.

One of the residents who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “The tourism sector is one of the key economic drivers in South Africa. So, we urge the department to ensure that the project gets off the ground because we believe it will create job opportunities.

“You will remember that, North West has the highest rate of unemployment and is sitting at 53%. So, the project will boost the local economy and reduce the high rate of unemployment. As a young person, I have the inspiration of running my well-established company, especially in the tourism sector.”

The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile said: “The DA in North West conducted an oversight inspection in Modimong in Greater Taung and found no progress on the planned tourism development by the Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment Conservation and Tourism, despite an almost R1 million feasibility study.

“The business plan and the feasibility study were conducted during the 2017/18 financial year by Urban-Econ Development Economists (Pty) Ltd but seems to be gathering dust somewhere within the department’s offices. The DA submitted written questions to the then MEC, Keneetswe Mosenogi last year, who responded that R987.921.00 was paid for the feasibility study.”

Sonakile further said in a follow-up question this year, North West Premier, Bushy Maape indicated that his government is still trying to secure an investor to launch the project and also blamed the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the feasibility study included a situational analysis, a concept plan, a marketing plan, and a business plan for the Modimong Nature Reserve.

“The project is aimed at stimulating local economic growth and creating at least 51 direct new job opportunities for permanent staff. The DA will now write to the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to provide timeframes as to when the project will be implemented to the benefit of Taung residents. This can’t be another incident where the NWPG spends taxpayer money on a plan that is never implemented. Modimong residents deserve better,” said Sonakile.

The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism spokesperson, Jerry Matebesi failed to respond to the media inquiry sent to him almost three weeks ago.  

Meanwhile, the statistics show that the tourism sector contributes about 9% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The National Department of Tourism (NDT) said during the first months of 2016, there was up to R39.3 billion in foreign direct spend in the country.

“The NDT’s strategic goals over the medium term are to maximise domestic tourism and foreign tourist arrivals in South Africa. Expand domestic and foreign investment in the South African tourism industry, expand tourist infrastructure, improve the range and quality of tourist services.

“We also want to improve the tourist experience and value for money. Improve research and knowledge management, contribute to growth and development, expand the tourism share of GDP, improve competitiveness and sustainability in the tourism sector.”

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Setshwantsho: Motsamaisi kwa Multi-purpose, Motseokae Duncan Cwaile/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Motsamaisi wa Multi-Purpose Centre e kwa motseng wa Morokweng, gaufi le Ganyesa kwa masepaleng wa Kagisano Molopo, Motseokae Duncan Cwaile (45) o tshwerwe morago ga go latofadiwa ka petelelo. Go begwa fa Cwaile, yo gape eleng moeteledipele wa lekoko le le busang la ANC teng kwa kgaolong eo, go begwa fa a beteletse mosetsanyana wa dingwaga dile 14 ka Lamatlhatso.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa lephata la bosekisi la National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) mo Bokone Bophirima, Henry Mamothame, mosetsanyana o, one a ile go ga metsi kwa sedibeng kwa ntlung ya ga Cwaile jaaka ele baagisani.

“Fela, Cwaile one a biletsa mosetsanyana o kwa ntlung, mme a mo gogela kwa phaphusing ya borobalo kwa a ileng a mo betelela teng. Go ya ka dipego, Cwaile one a lebotsa phojoje morago ga tiragalo e, le go tlogela mosetsanyana owa kwa ntlung.

“Fela, motswasetlhabelo one a ya gae, mme a fitlha a lotlegela bagolo ka se se mo diragaletseng. Kgetsi ya petelelo ene ya bulwa, mme Cwaile one a tshwarwa moragonyana. Cwaile one a tlhageletse ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelong ya Ganyesa ka Mosupulogo,” Mamothame wa tlhalosa.

Mamothame o kaile fa kgetsi ya petelelo kgatlhanong le Cwaile ene ya busediwa morago go fitlha ka 18 Phatwe 2023. Mamothame are, Cwaile one a busediwa kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, mme o solofetswe go ka dira kopo ya beile ka Labotlhano.

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Picture: The Director of Omolemo Funerals, Hlomelang Manare/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

Some clients who are still owed by the bogus Director of Omolemo Funerals, Hlomelang Manare said, their hopes are wearing thin. They alleged that Manare (32), who was found guilty of fraud of owing them. 

Maruping Mocwadira (43) from Lokgabeng village, near Taung alleged that he bought a tombstone worth R16 000 last year from Manare, but he failed to deliver.

“I am worried because on 7 August 2023, I also paid R1000 for a funeral cover. It has been a while since they promised to deliver the tombstone. Manare said he is experiencing financial difficulties because his employees were allegedly pocketing the money, instead of depositing it into the business account,” he said.

Another irate client, Moatlhodi Lencwe (60) from Mogopela A village said, he bought a tombstone for his mother, Maserame Gaonnwe at Omolemo Funerals, but it has not been delivered.

“Now, family members are not happy with what is happening. Manare promised to bring the tombstone in March 2023. However, nothing has happened and we were paying a monthly premium. They continue to send me from pillar to post.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame said: “Manare was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for fraud. Manare acted as a financial services provider without having a license and lured members of the public, particularly the elderly to take insurance policies from his company, Omolemo Funerals, whilst he knowing that his company is not registered.

“Between 2019 and 2020, Manare registered five complainants on cashback policies in his company, Omolemo Funerals. He promised to pay his unsuspecting clients after the death of the insured, whereas he knew his company was not underwritten by any insurance company. Manare was convicted on one count of the Contravention of Section 7(1) of the Financial Advisory Intermediary Act 37 of 2002 and five of fraud.”

Mamothame said Manare paid R20 000 fine and he was also sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on five counts of fraud, which was suspended for three years.

In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Rebaona Mokgopa, argued that Manare preyed on vulnerable people, who lived off social grants. Mokgopa said the unsuspecting clients relied on the services of the accused in the unfortunate event of death.

Meanwhile, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joel Motlhasedi said: “An inspection for funeral undertakers is conducted according to the regulations relating to the management of Human Remains, No. R363 of 22 May 2013. Omolemo Funerals Services was visited for inspection in February 2022, and the funeral undertaker’s premises or mortuary does not create a health nuisance or endanger human health.

“The funeral undertaker meets minimum requirements stipulated in the mentioned regulations and was then issued with a certificate of competence. The municipality makes use of R363 to conduct inspections.”

Motlhasedi said the Environmental Health Practitioners conduct routine inspections at funeral undertakers, which is done once a year in accordance with the National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health in terms of the National Health Act, 2003 No. 61 of 2003, Notice 1229 of 2015 unless otherwise.

Meanwhile, Manare refused to comment on the matter.

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Picture: The ANCYL provincial chairperson, Wessel Morweng, provincial secretary, Tshiamo Tsotetsi and provincial spokesperson, Kutlwano Masibi

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The ANCYL in North West has refuted allegations that it was dragged before the ANC Provincial Disciplinary Committee (PDC) on Monday. This comes after ANCYL called for the removal of the sick North West Premier, Bushy Maape last week.  

The ANCYL provincial spokesperson, Kutlwano Masibi said they were summoned to a consultative engagement meeting by the ANC provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo to explain their utterances regarding Maape’s removal.

“There was no hearing on Monday, but Diremelo requested a formal consultative engagement meeting with our provincial secretary, Tshiamo Tsotetsi. You will remember that, before you can drag anyone to a disciplinary hearing, there are processes that need to be followed including charging a person.

“So, at this stage, there is no disciplinary hearing that the ANCYL leaders are subjected to. We have not even received any formal charge sheet. On Monday, he just had an engagement with Diremelo regarding the statement we made over Maape’s early retirement,” he said.

Masibi further said the engagement is still ongoing and it is regarded as internal. He added that, once the process has been completed, both structures in the province will release a joint statement pertaining to that. 

“So, let’s allow that process to unfold before we are pre-emptive,” said Masibi.

The defiant Tsotetsi said the premiership position is strategic and a bedrock of the implementation of key government policy in particular and service delivery in general. He said a lack thereof, makes it arduous for the government to properly function.

“The people of North West deserve a full complement of leadership in order for them to realise their desired goals. It is worth noting that, Maape has excelled with distinction in stabilisation of government post-administration. We have seen steady improvement in all departments post-administration.

“There is empirical evidence that a substantial Premier will assist in the implementation of government work. The engagement pertaining to this matter must ensue in the movement and the way forward must ensue,” he said.

Maape underwent a surgery two months ago. He was admitted to Wilmed Park Hospital in Klerksdorp for a minor orthopaedic procedure.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile said: “We will request the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to disclose information surrounding Maape’s extended sick leave.

“Two months after the start of his sick leave, there has been no update from his office besides the fact that he is recuperating at home. The DA sympathises with Maape and wishes him good health, however, North West residents need to know the extent of his sick leave.”

He said the recent calls for Maape’s removal are rather opportunistic, since they have long said that he is not fit for the job and should have been removed when he saw nothing wrong with the province’s killer potholes.

Sonakile said, if Maape is critically ill, the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) should consider replacing him.

“The North West Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements MEC, Nono Maloyi is moonlighting as Premier and reporting to himself,” he said.

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