Picture: The Springboks team celebrating after winning 2023 Rugby World Cup/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said, he is super proud after the South African national rugby team, the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup for the fourth time.
Tyobeka said the Springboks is only the national rugby team in the world to record such a significant milestone. He further said, since the beginning of the Rugby World Cup in September, more than 60 000 North West University students and staff have embraced and cheered for that, which unite them as South Africans.
“To the world champions, your resilience, hard work, togetherness, and ethos of caring and protecting each, has once again united our country. We are proud of you and hearty congratulations. Your commitment and passion for our country has been exemplary.
“We thank the team captain, Siya Kolisi and the boys, as well as the coaching team under the leadership of coach Jacques Nienaber and the ever-flamboyant leader of the pack, coach Rassie Erasmus for raising South Africa’s flag higher than all other nations during the Rugby World Cup,” said Tyobeka.
He added that, the country saw blood, sweat, tears of joy and celebration, anxiety, and anticipation from South Africans as they stood stronger together to wish them success.
Tyobeka said the founding president of the beautiful country, Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, once stated that: “sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”
“We have indeed witnessed this statement come to life across all our campuses, villages, small dorpies, towns, and cities of our beautiful country. There is so much we can achieve working together and united in pursuit of a shared goal – the success of our country,” he said.
Tyobeka said all of them at the NWU and everyone across the country, must always remind themselves of this and be inspired by this historic win by the Bokke.
He said to the broader NWU community and all South Africans, let them take the Springboks’ hard work, resilience, and winning spirit and use it in all our endeavours.
“That is, in our classrooms, workplaces, sport fields, and in all our daily lives to achieve greatness. Once again, congratulations to the entire Springbok team. You united the nation and made us proud. You definitely made a point loud and clear that South Africa is indeed alive with possibilities,” said Tyobeka.
Picture: One of the suspects arrested during Operation Shanela/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said multi-disciplinary high density operation, Operation Shanela, remains steadfast in its quest to squeeze crime in all hot spot areas throughout the province. Shemane said the disruptive actions commenced on 26 until 29 October 2023.
“The police and other law enforcement agencies executed various actions that included random stop and searches of persons and vehicles, high visibility patrols, vehicle check points, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second hand goods dealers and scrapyards, compliance inspections at firearm dealers and visits to spaza shops.
“During the operations, 212 suspects were arrested for an assortment of crimes such as dealing in drugs, possession of illegal cigarettes, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of drugs, robbery, assaults, housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, assault GBH driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the detention of illegal immigrants,” he said.
Shemane further said, the detectives traced and arrested 208 daily wanted suspects, who have been on the run from the police for various crimes including, house robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH and illegal possession of a firearm.
He added that alcoholic beverages, dangerous weapons, drugs including crystal meth, tik, dagga, mandrax, cash and vehicles were confiscated.
“Efforts were intensified at tuck shops, where compliance inspections were conducted to remove and destroy expired items. The police were deployed throughout the province to police fan parks hosting the screening of the Rugby World Cup final during which no serious incidents were reported,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the joint efforts of the law enforcement agencies that led to the arrest of suspects ensuring that communities are safe. Otola also appreciated the efforts of the police, external role players and the community for their relentless efforts in ensuring a safe and peaceful festive season.
More than 46 395 Grade 12 learners in the North West, will be sitting for their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations across 448 centres today. However, it seems it will be a bumpy start for some Grade 12 learners from Batlhaping High School in Taung.
This comes after they were taken to a camping centre in Louwna on Saturday night, but they were forced to return home in the wee hours of Sunday morning after there was accommodation for them. Some of the learners alleged that there was no electricity and the centre too.
However, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said indeed there was a shortage of accommodation for 57 learners due to overlap. Molokwane said the plan was that learners from Batlhaping High School were scheduled to be accommodated at the Louwna Hostels.
“Due to the 57-person overlap, it was decided to return the learners to their centre/school. The circuit coordinator visited the facility in person to confirm its legitimacy, however, when rooms were assigned upon arrival, there was a shortage.
“The department was able to pick it up yesterday upon arrival. There is a plan for Batlhaping High School learners and parents and the School Governing Body (SGB) were fully informed. This arrangement won’t affect learners, as the department is making sure that the learners will be in good care throughout the examinations,” he said.
The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi said, he is confident that the Class of 23 will do well in their final examinations. Maloyi further said the North West Department of Education has done enough spade work to prepare learners for this year’s National Senior Certificate examinations.
“I am confident that these learners will do well in these examinations given the enormous work that the department has carried out in preparation of these examinations. I am also confident with the readiness on the technical side.
“The printing of question papers is up to prescribed standards and safety measures have been put in place. To our Class of 23, the provincial government is fully behind you. I would also like to express our gratitude to the parents, SGBs, as well as community members for their unwavering support to the learners throughout the 2023 academic year,” he added.
Maloyi also thanked the parents and all stakeholders for their continued support and further pleaded for more parental support during this critical time of the year.
Meanwhile, the convenor of Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) Interim Provincial Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said, they appeal for support and no disruption. He said they urge Grade 12 learners to stay focused and not to be distracted from the task at hand.
“We urge the communities to allow learners the opportunity to write their final exams in a peaceful and conducive environment. The sacrifices and extra effort they have had to put as part of preparing for the exams throughout the year, must be safeguarded so that they achieve their objective to pursue their dreams.
“The investment that the country has made in the education of young people as future leaders is key to sustainable development. We therefore appeal to public transport operators for hassle free transportation of learners to their various examination centres,” he said.
Picture: The disgraced mayor of Greater Taung Local Municipality, Tumisang Gaoralewe/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Dear Tumisang Gaoraelwe
I hope this letter finds you not drunk or high. Let me take this opportunity to re-introduce myself. My name is Obakeng Maje (editor) of Taung DailyNews, which is a community newspaper.
I received a call on 25 October 2023 at around 7:40pm from one of your close associates, who requested me to check my WhatsApp and see what a scumbag has written about Taung DailyNews and I on Facebook. Indeed, I checked my WhatsApp even though I was reluctant. I was disappointed to see what you have written about Taung DailyNews and I.
You wrote this on your Facebook page: “The news that you will never find in Taung DailyNews. If you want to know that you have credibility, it is when someone uses your profile to project themselves. We have worked hard to be where we are at the pick (peak) of the mount (mountain), that is why when Taung DailyNews or Ice-T Maje writes about me, I do not respond.
“I will never dignify that hogwash with a response. I have worked for more than a decade to be where I am. I am at the pick (peak) of the mountain, academically, personally, socially and otherwise.
“I do not come down, climb the f**k up.”
However, let me correct you. We have already written about that cancelled petition under this headline way before you could even post about it. Here is the link to full article: https://twitter.com/IceT_/status/1717173403008786576?s=19
As Taung DailyNews, we strive on factual reporting. Again, we do not target any individuals, but we follow the story. So, if the story takes us to you, then hard luck.
We also do not get any personal in our reporting, but as the watchdog, we have the responsibility to ensure that there is accountability and consequence management.
If we have a personal vendetta against you, we could have reported about the allegations that you are on drugs. We could have reported allegations that, there is a video of you engaged in a sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl, who is now allegedly blackmailing you. If we were personal, we could have reported about allegations that you do not take care of your children from your failed marriage.
How true are allegations that, a few months ago, you went to Klerksdorp and collected a whopping R1 million from a security company awarded a multi-million rands tender at the Greater Taung Local Municipality as bribery?
Now, let’s get down to business and deal with real issues. If you say you are credible and some people will use your profile to project themselves, kindly give us one thing that is credible about you. I would imagine us (media) reporting about a corrupt individual like your fellow ANC cadre, John Block and he says journalists use his profile to project themselves.
You say you are at the peak of the mountain academically, but indeed, your qualifications are like a golden ring on the snout of a pig, they mean nothing. Rather say you are certificated because you do not qualify to run the municipality as a political head.
While we are still there:
· Kindly take the people of Taung into confidence and tell them what happened to the R101 million equitable share that was allegedly depleted in weeks.
· Kindly tell the people of Taung, what happened to the R3 million budgeted for disaster? Why does the municipality continue to use consultants even though they are too expensive.
· Mayor, please enlighten us on what happened to the luxury BMW X3 that is now being fixed with taxpayers’ money. Last year, you crashed the same BMW X3, while you were drunk and you confessed in an audio that the police officers who attended the scene assisted you to clean it. This alone shows that you are a corrupt individual who disregards the law. It cost the taxpayers over R250 000 to fix the damaged BMW X3 without accountability on your side.
· Again, tell the community of Taung why the tracking report of the same BMW X3 shows that it was constantly driving between Kuruman, Kimberley and Carletonville. It eventually stuck in Kimberly, where it was towed to Potchefstroom to be fixed and cost the taxpayers around R230 000. Kindly tell the people of Taung why your precious wife allegedly drives the mayoral vehicle?
· Mayor, please tell the people of Taung how much is left in the Investment Accounts of the municipality.
· Tell the people of Itireleng village what happened to the R10 million budgeted for their internal road?
· Tell the people of Taung why those learners who were awarded by the municipality for being top achievers have not received their R10 000 each and laptops you promised them?
· This year, you organised a mayoral cup, where the winning teams were awarded accordingly, however, they are still waiting for their incentives.
Mayor, you say you are at the peak of the mountain and we must climb the f***k up because you are not coming down. Let me tell you this, you are actually sitting at the top of the mountain of fools. So, we are not climbing the f***k up.
You better come down and listen to the plea of ordinary people on the ground. Let your qualifications do the talking and stop being unscrupulous.
I told you that I have nothing personal against you and I will continue to report about what is happening around Taung with no contraction of fear or favour. You do good, we report and you do bad, we will also report.
So, mayor you are given responsibility to run the municipality, but it seems everything is crumbling under your watch. Now, your own cadres have turned their backs against you because they are sick and tired of your shenanigans. They say they want you gone because they cannot be associated with a person of your calibre. So, you still maintain that you are credible?
When the ANC introduced you as the mayor, the people of Taung had high hopes and said finally, a young person will be at the helm and steer this ship to the right direction. However, you disappointed them because of greed.
Enjoy your day mayor and just know that there is nothing honourable about you.
(Note: Mr Obakeng Maje is an award-winning journalist and holds a three-year Diploma in Media Studies and Journalism. In his blossomed career, he worked for various media houses such as Daily Sun, The New Age and Sunday World, including You FM (formerly known as North West FM). Some of Mr Obakeng Maje’s articles were incorporated in a book called Civil Strife against Local Governance, written by political analyst at the University of Free State, Professor Sethulego Matebesi.)
Four men were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for two counts of robbery. In the early hours of the morning on 14 May 2017, a man (21) was walking in the street, accompanied by his friend (17) in Extension 5 in Ipelegeng Location, outside Schweizer Reneke.
They were greeted by a man known to them, while walking past a local tuck shop. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the two were suddenly surrounded by four suspects, Kagiso Godfrey Molapo (34), Goitsemodimo Jacob Malape (28), Monnapula Alfred Seotimeng (28) and Kgosietsile Philadelphia Motsage (26).
Myburgh further said one of the suspects was armed with a knife.
“The two friends were robbed of two pairs of tekkies, a belt, jersey, cellular phone, school bag, a wallet and a brown leather jacket. Furthermore, the victim (21), was assaulted with an empty beer bottle on the hip, while his friend (17) was stabbed with a knife on his right hand.
“After the torment, the victims went straight to the police station to report the robbery. Whilst at the police station, the four suspects who were arrested by police for another crime, were brought into the police station and the duo positively identified them. All the robbed items were found in their possession,” she said.
Myburgh added that four accused were found guilty on two charges of aggravating robbery on 21 September 2023. She said they were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each on 20 October 2023.
“In terms of Section 103 of the Firearm Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000), all accused persons were also declared unfit to possess firearms,” she said.
North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Kwena applauded the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Ditlhokwe of the North West Anti-Gang Unit as well as all other role players including prosecution for their excellent collaboration, which he said will send a stern warning that those who perpetrate crime, will be dealt with effectively.
Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality speaker, Grace Moipolai
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) speaker, Grace Moipolai said the scheduled special council meeting that was proposed by the majority of ANC councillors and other political parties at the municipality, is invalid and redundant.
This comes after two councillors from opposition parties, PR councillor, April Sephula and F4SD ward 6 councillor, Seakgamoriri Mmokwa, who were signatories to the petition withdrew their support.
Aggrieved councillors from the municipality, who are mostly ANC members, wrote a letter requesting Moipolai to convene a special council meeting at Depot Hall in Taung at 10am today. In the letter that was seen by Taung DailyNews, they raised burning issues that they wanted to form part of the agenda.
They alleged that Gaoraelwe has gone rogue and the status quo of the municipality has deteriorated under his tutelage.
“We, the undersigned majority of duly elected councillors of the GTLM, herewith request our municipal council’s speaker, Grace Moipolai to convene a special council meeting in terms of Section 29(1) of the Local Government Municipal Structure Act No. 117 of 1998.
“The speaker of a municipal council decides when and where the council meets subject to Section 18(2), but if a majority of the councillors request the speaker in writing to convene a council meeting, the speaker must convene a meeting at a time set out in the request.”
These councillors further said, if the speaker or acting speaker refuses to call a meeting of the council in terms of subsection (1), the municipal manager, or in the absence or refusal by the municipal manager, a person designated by the MEC for Local Government in the province, may call and chair the meeting.
They added that Moipolai’s attention is further and kindly drawn to the fact that, under no circumstances may the requested meeting be conducted via zoom or any other hybrid platforms.
“Outlined below in our order of importance, are the items we deem as of utmost importance for inclusion in the requested meeting’s agenda. We would like to discuss the danger allowance progress report, progress report on municipal manager’s appointment, the state of the investment account, performance report on executive committee and a motion on the adoption of council resolutions by secret ballot.
“Speaker, it remains our firm view that, any further procrastination or failure by council to address and deal with the aforesaid items, can only plunge our municipality further into operational inefficiencies and costly functional paralysis.”
They said the biggest casualties are the municipality’s biggest stakeholder – the people of the Greater Taung. The councillors said, they kindly hope that their request shall merit her sense of urgency and priority.
These councillors also called for reshuffling and allegedly suggested that Nga Tong becomes a mayor, Kealeboga Tong ascends to the municipal speaker position, while Lerato Babuseng becomes the new Chief Whip.
The municipality has been plunged into disarray as widespread allegations of corruption and maladministration were said to be entrenched into it. It is alleged that the municipality has depleted R101 million equitable share in weeks, finished R3 million budgeted for disaster with nothing to show for and also continues to spend millions of rands from investment accounts with no accountability.
Also, the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), highlighted that the municipality continues to make use of consultants, which are too expensive.
Meanwhile, Moipolai said: “Kindly note that your petition has been received by my office on 23 October 2023 at around 9:45am. At the time and date, I was not in the office attending to other business outside town. You have accordingly requested that a special council meeting be convened at a time set out in your request.
“I wish to advise you that, even if the act accords you convenience on time, the decision on the venue of the meeting remains the prerogative of the speaker of the council. I regret to inform you that, the meeting cannot be convened as per your wishes, because two of the councillors that are signatories to the petition, April Sphula (PR Councillor) and Seakgamoriri Mmokwa (Ward 6 councillor) have since withdrawn from the spirit of your letter, thus rendering the petition invalid and redundant.”
However, one councillor who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said, they have lobbied for the support of more councillors and they will submit another petition.
Picture: Community members at Kgomotso Police Station
By OBAKENG MAJE
Eighteen alleged vigilantes who were arrested by the police in Upper Majeakgoro village, near Pampierstad on 16 October 2023, will be back in court. They were arrested for allegedly beating a man (26), whom they accused of stock theft to death.
According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock, the police arrested 18 suspects (14 men and 4 women) who were allegedly involved in the mob justice.
Kock said a group of community members allegedly went to the house of a person suspected to be involved in stock theft, beat his family members, and forcefully took him and his friend (20) to Upper Majaekgoro village.
“The community allegedly tied the two up and beat them with a pick handle and chains. The friends of the victims allegedly drove into the crowd of community members with a Toyota Bakkie and one person was also hospitalised, while other community members were left injured.
“Two men who were allegedly abducted and assaulted by the community members were both hospitalised. However, one of the victims (26), later succumbed to his injuries,” he said.
Kock further said 18 persons who were allegedly involved in the mob justice are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault GBH. He added that, the police confirmed that, five of them (4 men and 1 woman) are part of the Community in Blue Patrollers in Pampierstad.
“A driver (50) of a bakkie was also arrested and charged with attempted murder,” said Kock.
The recent reports suggest that, one person who was hospitalised, Thato Maleke allegedly passed away on 21 October 2023, while only two accused out of 18 were granted bail by Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court. The case will resume today for formal bail applications.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola, condemned the attack and warned that mob justice is a violation of the law. Otola warned that, the community members who are implicated in this act will be arrested and face the full might of the law.
Two police officials who were arrested for corruption at Schweizer Reeke Police Station, are expected back in court today. Captain Kagiso Peace Maiketso (59), who was working as Detective Commander and Sergeant Thomas Moleme (45) who was working as Detective, has been implicated in a corruption case.
Moleme was arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit (ACIU) on 23 August 2023 after he allegedly solicited bribery from a suspect, who was arrested for assault.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said Moleme along with a person who accompanied him and introduced himself as Captain, allegedly arrested a suspect for assault in May 2023.
“On their way to the police station, the pair demanded R1000 on behalf of the assault victim on condition that, the latter withdraws the case. The suspect consented to the demand and gave them R1000. Moleme and his companion further demanded R1000 each from the suspect.
“As a result, they were given R2 470 and released the suspect. However, Moleme apparently kept on harassing and demanding money from the suspect. Subsequent to reporting the matter to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit (ACIU), Moleme was arrested during an undercover operation by the ACIU and Anti-Gang Unit,” said Mokgwabone.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “Another accused, Captain Kagiso Peace Maiketso was added and charged with corruption. There was also another charge of corruption added against Moleme.
“Maiketso was released on R7000 bail and the case is postponed to 25 October 2023 for further investigation.”
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and subsequent appearance of the accused in court. Kwena said dishonesty cannot be tolerated and any South African Police Service (SAPS) employee who acts in an unethical manner, will be brought to book to face the full might of the law.
The officials from North West Department of Public Works and Roads were allegedly threatened. It is alleged that a group of men arrived at the Provincial Offices in Mahikeng and demanded to see some officials.
The Head of Department, Moss Kgantsi alleged that these men were carrying chains and locks with the view to shut down the office. Kgantsi further said, they are demanding subcontracting opportunities on the grass cutting project.
“The grass-cutting project is not even at the discretion of the department. This has had a negative impact on operations as access for employees and members of the community was prohibited. As a department, we condemn threats against officials for business opportunities (grass-cutting project.
“We are extremely concerned about acts of violent intimidation and threats against officials. The continued threats are meted by individuals demanding business opportunities in general and participation on the grass cutting project in particular,” he said.
Kgantsi further said the threats cannot be taken lightly as perpetrators were allegedly branding firearms and insulting officials insisting to hold meetings without scheduled appointments. He added that, to this end, the department has informed the relevant authorities and the law will take its course in this regard.
Setshwantsho: Kotsi e masisi kwa mmileng mogolo wa N18 gaufi le Matlapaneng
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba motse wa Matlapaneng, gaufi le Taung ba kaile fa dikotsi tsatsela tse di tsweletseng go diragala kwa mmileng-mogolo wa N18 go ralalang toropo ya Taung le go leba kwa Kimberly, ele tlhoba boroko. Jaanong baagi ba, ba ikuela go dingaka ga mmogo le baruti go tswa kwa dikerekeng tse di farologaneng go ka tsenela thapelo kwa tseleng eo mo letsatsing la gompieno.
Mogokaganyi wa tlhapiso e, Lopang Tokwe, are batla be ba tsweletse ka thapelo kwa mmileng o, mme ba dira seo go ka rotloetsa badirisi ba tsela go ka dula ba le malala-a-laotswe.
“Re ikuela go dingaka tsa setso go tswa kwa metse e farologaneng jaaka Matlapaneng, Mase, Choseng, Sedibeng, Karelstad ga mmogo le Loselong go tla ka makatla a namane, mme ba tsenele tlhapiso ya tsela e.
“Tiro yone e tla simolola ka ura ya bosupa mo mosong, mme re tla kopana kwa kgotlheng ya motse wa Matlapaneng pele ga re leba kwa mmileng mogolo,” Tokwe wa tlhalosa.
