A-26-YEAR-OLD man was killed during a mob justice in Matolong village, near Taung. It is alleged that Tefo Gaoraelwe was assaulted by community members, who accused him of theft.
North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said, on 19 July 2022, the police were called to Taung District Hospital to attend to an aggravated assault case.
“On arrival, the police found the sister of the victim. She allegedly told the police that community members assaulted the victim after they accused him of committing a crime. Gaoraelwe was badly assaulted and taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“A case of murder was opened by Taung police, but no one has been arrested thus far. However, the investigation into the matter continues and anyone with information that can assist the police in their investigation is requested to contact Detective Warrant Officer Israel Tshipo on 082 469 2284,” van Rooyen said.
Senepe: Majoro-khuduthamaga wa masepala wa sedika sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati gammogo le majoro wa masepala wa Mamusa/Obakeng Maje
Ka KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Baagi ba ba farologaneng kwa motseng wa Glaudina gaufi le Schweizer Reneke, ba itumeletse thebolo ya ditirelo go tswa mo pusong. Masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati ga mmogo le mafapha a a farologaneng, ba ne ba etetse motse wa Glaudina go ka tlisa ditirelo kwa bathung.
Mongwe wa baagi, Olebogeng Madito wa dingwaga dile 68, o ikuetse mo pusong go ka tswelela ka lenaneo la thebolo ya ditirelo, mme ba se boele morago. Madito are ba sentse ba tshelela motlase ga tlhaolele kwa motseng wa bone.
“Re amogetse ketelo ya puso ka botlalo, mme re ne re re e nne selo sa leruri gore kamoso ha re nna le bothata re bone thuso. Re kopa gore puso e re sekegele tsebe mo mathateng otlhe a re nang le one mo tulong e.
“Re sentse re tshelela motlase ga tlhaolele, mme ga se re fitlhelele boipuso jo go buiwang ka bone. Mo Gluadina, re na le bothata gonne rona barua-kgomo ga gona mo diphologolo tsa rona di hulang teng,” Madito wa tlhalosa.
A re leruo la bona le hula mo tseleng, mme re tlhoka lefatshe. Go ya ka Madito, basweu ba ba dulang mo dipolaseng tse di gaufi, ba tsweletse go bolaya kgotsa go neela leruo la bone bolthole fa le hula gaufi le dipolase tsa bone.
Evelyn Bogatsu wa dingwaga dile 39, ene o ikuetse go puso go ka netefatsa fa ditsela di nna mo maemong a a namatshang segolo bogolo jang fa dipula dinele.
Sebueledi sa motlatsa-tona wa lefapha la dikgwa, tikologo le botshwara-tlhapi, Makhotso Sotyu, se kaile fa seno se tlile go tswelela go ralala sedika. Christopher Mashilo wa tlhalosa: “Jaaka re le fa, re tlisitse ditirelo go baagi, gonne re a itse gore bontsi jwa baagi mo mafelong a farologaneng ga bana ditlabakelo tsa go ya kwa toropong go ka fitlhelela ditirelo tse di farologaneng tsa puso.
“Jaanong seno, se tlile ba fa tshono ya go bona thebolo ya ditirelo tse di farologaneng. Mafapha a le mantis a gorogile ka kwano, mme re itumetse thata go utlwa fa thologelo ya baagi e namatsa segolo bogolo jang lefapha la boitekanelo. Re itemogetse fa baagi ba tlile ka bontsi fa re bapantsha le kwa setheo sa kliniki.”
Jaanong, Mashilo o kaile fa ba tlile go etela masepala wa Taung go tloga.
Kgabagare, majoro-khuduthamaga wa sedika, Motseokae Sense Maje are bontsi jwa baagi ba amogetse thebolo ya ditirelo tse di farologaneng, mme o rotloeditse basha go ka ikatimetsa go kantoro ya gagwe ya sedika go ka iponela ledi la go ka tlhola ditiro tse di farologaneng.
“Re na le mafapha a farologaneng jaaka la tsa merero ya selegae, le le neng le kwadisetsa baagi makwalo-itshupo, lefapha la sepodisi le lone le ne le le teng go ka thusa baagi ka go ka tlanya ditokomane tsa bone ga mmogo le lefapha la pholo.
“Re ne re na le lefapha la dipuso selegae ga mmogo le matlo, mme ba ne ba dira ga mmogo le masepala wa selegae wa Mamusa. Mme masepala o ne o kwadisa baagi ba ba dikobo dikhutsane thebolo ya ditirelo tsa mahala,” Maje wa tlhalosa.
Maje gape o kaile fa lefapha la tlhabololo ya loago le lone le ne le gorogile go ka neelana ka ditirelo go baagi ba ba batlang go ikwadisetsa kamogela ya madi a kotlo.
“Baagi ba tlhagisitse mathata a farologaneng, mme re fitlhetse fa bana ka bontsi kwa dikolong ba sena ditokomane tsa boitshupo jaaka ditlankana tsa matsala. Gape re lemogile fa ba sa bone madi a kotlo.
“Re lemogile fa go sentse go na le tlhokego ya matlo, fa botlhoka-tiro le bone bo ile kwa godimo. Jaanong, re rotlwetsa basha go ka ikgolaganya le kantoro ya rona ya masepala wa sedika, gonne re na le mafapha a a farologaneng a ka ba thusang ka go tla ka toga-maano ya go tlhola ditiro,” ga bua Maje.
Are ba na le lefapha le le ikarabelang ka tsa tlhabololo ya ikonomi, bojanala ga mmogo le temo-thuo. Maje are lefapha le, lena le matlole a ka thusang basha gore ba kgone go tlhomama ka go itirela ditiro tse di tla ba direlang letseno.
Opposition parties at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) said, they will ensure that there is transparency and good governance at the embattled municipality.
This comes after the municipality lost a case to interdict a court order filed by opposition parties at North West High Court in Mahikeng on Tuesday.
The opposition parties at the municipality, wanted municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai to convene a physical statutory council meeting to unpack the proverbial concept and make an adoption.
However, according to the Patriotic Alliance councillor, Mmoni Letele, Moipolai opted to convene the anticipated statutory council meeting visually. Letele said they approached the high court because they wanted to do away with the ‘dictatorship’ displayed by Moipolai and ensure that the democratization process is followed.
“I am happy and feel on top of the world because this is victory. Now, the people of Taung will be able to attend the physical statutory council meeting. The attempt to have a visual meeting was a way to deprive them of their rights.
“The municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi and Moipolai wanted to deny our people their rights to attend this anticipated statutory council meeting. However, this is only the beginning in our quest to ensure that there is accountability at the municipality,” Letele said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Sam Nape shared the same sentiments. Nape said opposition parties are key role players in ensuring that, there is good governance and respect for the rule of law.
“We highly commend the judiciary system and this is a victory for the people of Taung against corruption, malfeasance and maladministration that prevails in the municipality. Those who are responsible wanted to use a visual platform to execute resolutions that are marred with corruption and do not have the interest of the people,” he said.
Nape said they are fighting corruption at the municipality and they will pursue that, those who are responsible pay the cost from their own pockets. He further said this will be a great lesson that, in future, they should not misuse the taxpayer’s money.
One of the analytic topics expected to be discussed during the next statutory council meeting ‘scheduled’ for Thursday is the adoption of traffic officer learnership. The selection process of the learnership caused an outcry as some opposition parties accused ANC councillor, Pinkie Mosinkiemang of corruption.
Mosinkiemang was seen on a video that went viral having a list of those individuals selected for traffic officer learnership training.
It is alleged that, only those who have close proximity to some municipal officials and politicians were elected.
Meanwhile, Moipolai said, she was advised not to comment on the matter as there are steps that the municipality is planning to embark on.
Picture: Some of the beneficiaries with the North West MEC for DEDECT, Kenetswe Mosenogi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) owners in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Dr Kenneth Kaunda regions benefitted from the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) empowerment fund.
The equipment and machinery that were handed over in both districts were valued at approximately R1.2 million and were for SMMEs which mostly operate in manufacturing, catering, baking, décor, cleaning and environmental services.
One of the beneficiaries, Tshepiso Jantjies from Jantjies Boerdery said the machinery he received from the department, will come in handy. Jantjies said his enterprise is a multi-agricultural company, which specialises in crop production and animal feed manufacturing in the Taung area.
“We are grateful after we have received a wheel rake and drum mower through the departmental empowerment fund. We started to turn our company into an enterprise back in 2019. We are specialising in agro-processing.
“We had some challenges with machinery after our storeroom was gutted by fire. Our old machinery was dysfunctional and we were so happy to receive new machinery. These ones will improve our turn-around strategy,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Lancelot Koos from Ganyesa village, near Vryburg shared the same sentiments. Koos, who is the owner of Lanzito’s Buy and Braai said his business model entails car wash services and a complementary Shisa Nyama/ Braai business.
“I conceptualised the business line after I identified a market gap in Ganyesa Business Centre, whilst working for the bank in Pretoria. Since its inception, the business was operating informally until 2018 when I decided to leave my full-time job to focus more on it.
“Since then, the business has been doing well except during the lockdown period. Most of my customers are within Ganyesa and neighbouring villages such as Tlapeng, Tlakgameng and Morokweng,” he said.
Koos received a walk-in freezer room, gas griller – turn burner radiant free-standing, wrapping machine, price computing scale, glass meat chiller and countertop pie warmer.
Meanwhile, North West MEC for DEDECT, Kenetswe Mosenogi said: “We have embarked on an ongoing programme of handing over business equipment and machinery to successful applicants of the departmental empowerment fund for the 2021/2022 financial year.
“The programme is part of the department’s interventions aimed at leveraging enterprise funding through procurement of equipment and machinery for start-ups, as well as growth and expansion of enterprises, which will result in job creation and poverty alleviation.”
Mosenogi further said the applicants must have been operating a legally registered business and be residing in the North West province. She added that, in order to reverse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses and cooperatives, they ought to urgently provide some support to these entrepreneurs.
“Through this hard-headed intervention by the department, we will certainly improve their competitiveness and bring up profitability. Through this programme, the government is only re-affirming its commitment to support and sustain enterprises through operational tools.
“This is also proof to all entrepreneurs in the province, especially young people that, the department’s financial assistance is not designed for a certain group of people, but for any entrepreneur who meets the qualifying criteria required for funding,” said Mosenogi.
Picture: The deceased, Galotlwaele Jacqueline Motabogi (67)/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
A murder case against Monnapula “Mabele-bele” Williams (34) was postponed by the Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court until 8 August 2022. Williams allegedly shot and killed a former Mothelesi Secondary School teacher, Galotlwaele Jaqueline Motabogi (67) at her home during an armed robbery.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, Williams allegedly forcefully gained entry into the house of Motabogi through the kitchen door in the early hours of Sunday morning, 7 February 2022 in Shaleng village, near Taung.
“The suspect allegedly stole the keys of Motabogi’s Toyota Fortuner. However, the deceased allegedly heard her vehicle’s engine running and went to investigate. When the suspect saw her, he allegedly shot her in the face.
“The Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMRS) paramedics were called to the scene and declared Motabogi dead. Furthermore, the suspect fled the scene with the victim’s car, and a manhunt was launched,” Funani said.
She further said the suspect was traced to Pretoria through the assistance of Gauteng police. Funani said police seized the Toyota Fortuner, five cellular phones as well as a hunting rifle.
“The accused is facing charges of murder, being in possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, being in possession of suspected stolen property, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The accused was transferred back to North West,” said Funani.
The accused will remain in custody pending investigations.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena thanked the Gauteng police for their cooperation in arresting the suspect. Kwena also condemned the incident and instructed the detectives to make sure that they oppose bail when the suspect appears in court.
A 44-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to two lives of imprisonment by the North West High Court in Klerksdorp for two counts of murder. On 3 April 2021, Tshediso Koetsi went to his lover’s house, Keitumetse Mjijwa (43) in Jouberton Township, in Klerksdorp where he demanded to speak to her.
Koetsi suspected that Mjijwa was cheating on him. So, when he arrived at the house, an argument ensued between the two. However, Koetsi left and later returned.
Two lovebirds were again seen arguing outside the house, but Koetsi eventually left.
The regional spokesperson for National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “On the third occasion, on the same day, Koetsi came back and gained entry, where he started to pour some liquid substance inside the bedroom, which had occupants and set it alight.
“Keitumetse and her sister Dineo (36), sustained burn injuries and later died in hospital. Three of Dineo’s children aged between 5 and 13, also sustained burn injuries, while two more children also sustained injuries caused by the fire.”
Mamothame said Koetsi sustained minor burn injuries, which he showed to the police, claiming that the deceased tried to burn him. He said the convict was taken to a nearby medical facility to receive medical attention and subsequently arrested after police investigations revealed that he is the perpetrator.
“He also received a cumulative 50 years for attempted murder, 3 years for arson, and three years for malicious damage to property. The state prosecutor, advocate Xolisile Philisane argued that Koetsi’s offense was premeditated and urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.
“Judge Mahlangu agreed with the state and alluded that Koetsi’s actions have a long-lasting negative effect on the children. Mahlangu registered his disappointment at Koetsi’s remorseless posture and said it is the responsibility of the criminal justice system to deal harshly with Gender-Based Violence and femicide cases,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo, lauded Adv Philisane and Sergeant Itumeleng Moreo, for their collaboration in ensuring that they obtain a successful conviction.
Some of the residents at Christiana in North West, call for the resignation of the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi. This comes after it was reported that Motlhabi’s rented mayoral vehicle has allegedly cost the municipality over R130 000 in two months.
Dan Mongale said the Lekwa-Teemane is one of the impoverished municipalities across the country and action needs to be taken against the mayor.
“It is obvious that the situation cannot be normal in and around our town. Actually, heads must roll and all eyes are on the local council to act decisively. We hold a firm view that the mayor is not fit for a purpose and he must step aside, or be suspended immediately from rendering community services because of a trust deficit.
“The working relationship has irretrievably broken and the prevailing working atmosphere in the council administration office is currently not conducive. The residents hold a firm view that based on serious allegations levelled against the mayor, he cannot continue to lead the council under the dark cloud over him,” Mongale said.
Now, the FF+ deputy leader in the North West De Wet Nel said they have tabled a motion of no confidence against the mayor because he failed to play an oversight role on the finances of the municipality.
“Here is the mayor driving the rented car with an exorbitant amount, which cost the municipality over R130 000 in just two months. So, if the mayor continues to use this vehicle for four years, the municipality would have forked out close to R2 million.
“The handbook from the national treasury clearly states that the mayor should purchase a vehicle in the amount of R700 000. So, regarding the motion of no confidence, we will not specifically lobby ANC councillors’ support, but one cannot rule out that because the ruling party is fractured in North West,” he said.
Nel said even though they will only engage other opposition parties for support, he did not rule out the possibility that ANC councillors might vote in their favour to oust their own. He said the motion is expected to be tabled in the next council meeting next week.
Meanwhile, Motlhabi said this is just a fight-back strategy against his antagonists after he raised startling concerns over lack of service delivery. He said some senior municipal officials refused to be held accountable and now they are conniving to fight him.
“You will remember that we got into the office in November 2021. So, I found the Toyota Fortuner, which was a mayoral car with a mileage of 490 000 km. This car experienced mechanical problems, while still using it.
“So, we reported this matter to the municipal mechanic, who advised us to take the vehicle to Toyota for repair. The municipality rented the same model, Toyota Fortuner through a travelling agency. I only used that car for two weeks and after realising that it will be too expensive, I took it back,” he said.
Motlhabi said he then raised this matter during a council and a resolution to procure a mayoral car was taken, but the administration is yet to do procurement. He said according to his understanding, to rent an SUV will not cost one less than R3000 a day, so the alleged R130 000 in two months is far-fetched.
“As the mayor, I raised concerns during the EXCO meeting after the municipality returned unused money allocated for Infrastructure Municipal Grant (IMG) to the national treasury. There are many unfinished projects here, and the municipality is spending exorbitant money on legal fees.
“I just wonder where the FF+ gets the audacity to table a motion of no confidence against me, while they have only one seat,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson, Kenny Morolong warned ANC councillors against voting with the opposition. Morolong said the ruling party will not tolerate that and firm actions will be taken against any councillor, who defy ANC mandate and vote with the opposition.
Picture: The Ditsobotla Local Municipality building on fire/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The situation at the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality in Lichtenburg continues to be dysfunctional despite numerous attempts by the North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs to solicit the situation.
Currently, the municipality has two mayors, two speakers, and two acting municipal managers. This week, the municipal employees were prohibited by a newly appointed security company’s bouncers from entering the municipal buildings.
This irked some municipal employees, who clashed with the security guards, and gunshots were discharged in the process.
The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Lenah Miga said Ditsobotla forms part of five troubled municipalities in the province and they have applied section 154 in terms of support.
“We have seen videos on social media depicting that there is a double-parked leadership and administration in Ditsobotla, which suggests that, there are two acting municipal managers, two mayors, and two speakers.
“But what we can confirm is that there can only be one municipal manager, and that is the acting municipal manager, Josephine Ledwaba. We can also indicate that there is only one speaker, which is Mpho Lekaba,” Miga said.
She further said there has been a council resolution where the former mayor, Mercy Mokgothu was removed through a motion of no confidence.
She said they are still gathering facts on what had transpired at the municipality on Monday and they will make an informed decision accordingly.
“We will table the report to the exco that will be sitting sometime next week and the decision will emanate from there. Remember, the council there has just been inaugurated last year and it needed to be trained.
“Even though the Premier has appointed a troika to monitor the situation, it is worrisome because it seems, we having a collapsing municipality and unfortunately, communities continue to be at the receiving end,” she said.
Miga said they have also ignited their sister department of community safety and whoever is occupying any office illegally will be chucked out.
However, the former mayor, Mercy Mokgothu said she is still the mayor of the municipality because the motion of no confidence against her was withdrawn. Mokgothu alleged that she has been purged because she refused to recognise the appointment of Ledwaba as the acting municipal manager.
“There is an affidavit that shows that Ledwaba does not have relevant qualifications. So, I wrote a report to Miga requesting guidance and leadership, however, she was non-responsive.
“So, I was called and reprimanded by the ANC. They instructed me and said I must make sure that Ledwaba becomes the acting municipal manager. I told them that Ledwaba refuses to submit her qualifications and there is nothing I could do,” she said.
The ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson in North West, Kenny Morolong said: “As the ANC, during the local government elections (LGE) in 2021, we vowed that municipalities should appoint suitable individuals in the administration and this is the position the party intends to uphold.
“We are unaware of any such directive to appoint individuals who do not qualify for any position for that matter. The ANC will never venture into deploying incompetent and unqualified individuals.”
Morolong said, however, they will afford Mokgothu an opportunity to engage the ANC leadership with respect to these allegations so that the party can test their veracity and make an appropriate public pronouncement.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Mocwana said political interference, maladministration, misappropriation of funds, and corruption has contributed to the demise of the municipality.
“The municipality is in distress and experiencing systemic dysfunctionality. There is also a resistance to intervention due to the hasty political interference in administrative issues. The instability in the municipality can be traced back to 2006.
“There is also lawlessness at the municipality, where Supply Chain Management (SCM) issues are openly being discussed by councillors. The municipal council is also sitting on top of the Public Protector and Forensic report findings that need to be implemented, but that is not happening.” Motswana said.
North West Premier, Bushy Maape congratulated Banyana Banyana for becoming the new queens of the continent after coach Desiree Ellis’ brave charges beat hosts Morocco to win a maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nation (WAFCON) title at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on 23 July 2022.
Maape said he was inspired by the display of relentless commitment to excellence and resilience to overcome adversity. He said that Banyana Banyana players represent a unique cohort of South Africa’s population.
“They represent the best of what we can achieve if we dedicate ourselves to the service of our country’s good name and its people. These players have given our country the best women’s month present we could all have wished for.
“I hope you will all join me in proposing that the remaining days of the month of August be dedicated to the celebration of Banyana Banyana, the true heroes of our nation. We love you and salute you Banyana Banyana,” he said.
The TheNational Assembly speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson, Amos Masondo shared the same sentiments. Mapisa-Nqakula said Banyana Banyana’s contribution has shone the light on the potential of women in sports.
“Once again, they demonstrated their capability and excellence on the international stage. We salute them for lifting the South African flag high, enhancing our nation-building program, inspiring the nation’s hopes and aspirations as well as improving social cohesion.
“Banyana Banyana’s victory, which catapulted the nation into the dizzy heights of continental football and World Cup qualifications, serves as a necessary upliftment amidst the current economic challenges and social hardships,” she said.
Masondo said: “Banyana Banyana have made the country enormously proud and their win in this tournament is a significant contribution to the need for women’s sports to be given equal status, recognition, and resources to bridge the inequality gap between the males and females taking part in the sport. This was the team’s sixth time at the final hurdle of the WAFCON since the competition’s inception in 1991.
“We have noted with concern that, despite consistently qualifying for all major CAF and FIFA competitions over the last couple of years, Banyana Banyana players were still being paid less than their male counterparts.”
They have called on the South African Football Association (SAFA) and various sponsors involved in the game to do all necessary to ensure that this gap in the remuneration and recognition of women in soccer is closed.
Mapisa-Nqakula and Masondo also called on CAF, under the leadership of Patrice Motsepe, to address the disparities in the prize money between men and women participating in their competitions. They said when the Senegalese men’s team won the AFCON earlier this year, they received R77.6 million from CAF, whereas Banyana Banyana will only get R8.5 million for winning the WAFCON.
Meanwhile, it was a glorious night for Banyana Banyana as Andile Dlamini walked away with the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award at a ceremony held on the pitch moments before the official handover of the trophy to the new champions. Banyana Banyana was also named as the women’s National Team of the Year and SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan was on hand to receive the title from Confederation of African Football president, Patrice Motsepe.
Seven suspects facing arson and looting are back in Taung Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The accused, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32), Ali Sakiele (50) and Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) were arrested last week by the police during an intelligence-driven operation.
In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest and torched three houses, a vehicle and looted alcohol from Disoufeng tavern. This comes after they accused the tavern owner and the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (34) of murder.
It is alleged that Bakang, his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) brutally killed Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood. The police preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung, and Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.
Upon arrival, the group of men allegedly chained the deceased to a generator and assaulted him. Subsequently, the accused allegedly transported Mothibedi to Manthe clinic where he was declared dead on his arrival.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each. They are expected to appear in court on 21 July 2022 and investigations into the matter continue.”
Meanwhile, advocate Tebogo Letloleleng, who will represent all seven accused said he proposed that his clients be given a warning, however, that was not the case. Letloleleng confirmed that his clients were charged with three counts of arson including looting.
“When we discuss the matter from a legal point of view, there is what we call a recent possession. For example, you burn the house now and you are arrested immediately. However, the incident took place three months ago, and only now, have the police arrested my clients.
“In actual fact, it took them three months to make arrests. All along, the police went out to look for statements, which might be true or not,” he said.
The Guardian 