By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African Taxi National Council (SANTACO) calls on the North West Community Safety and Transport Management to clamp down on illegal minibus taxis operating across routes in North West.

The SANTACO provincial chairperson, Ebusang Tladi said this during the event, where North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management conducted a Transport Sectoral Parliament under the theme: “Integrating Women in the Transport Industry” in Tshing community Hall near Ventersdorp recently.

Tladi said the illegal operation of minibus taxi creates unnecessary fights within the industry and eventually affect the livelihoods of many taxi owners and commuters.

“There has been no relationship between the taxi council and regulatory bodies within the department. We have not held any meetings as the two parties, where we can outline our programmes as well as check how government can assist us with curbing the escalating challenges of illegal taxis within our routes.

“We need a law enforcement unit within the department that specialises in solving the problem of taxi pirates, who are illegally stealing our customers. We also have a challenge where widowed taxi owners are not allowed to continue operating taxis that belonged to their late husbands,” he said.

Tladi further said, the department does not give the necessary support to these desperate women, who want to continue with the business of their late husbands. He added that the emergence of this industry was both an opportunity for black people to advance economically under very trying circumstances, as well as to provide a service to the people.

“The fragmentation of the industry across taxi association lines also created serious problems. However, the minibus taxi industry remains a critical pillar of the South African public transport sector, operating and competing with the heavily subsidised bus industry for more than five decades without receiving a cent from the government in the form of grants or subsidies,” he said. ​

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the North West Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management, Kim Medupe said: “The event was aimed at allowing the North West Community Safety and Transport Management to provide feedback on issues raised during the Transport Sectoral Parliament that was held in 2019 in Mogwase. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and regulations, the legislature could not hold the session in 2020 and 2022.

“The event was also aimed at assessing the departmental programmes and policies aimed at supporting women within the taxi industry and public transport. Amongst issues raised by the attendees include lack of proper programmes aimed at incorporating women into the industry and malfunctioning electronic system that issues special permits.”

Medupe said escalating challenges within the taxi industry, show that the department is not providing any assistance. She also said nothing is done on giving support to women’s desks in the industry.

“We do need a plan on how these women who want to continue with the businesses of their late husbands are assisted. The department should also create a calendar, where it meets women desks in the taxi industry and should submit a report on its interim measures on dealing with decentralising the issuing of special permits.

“The department should also do a benchmarking exercise on other provinces on how it is assisting the taxi industry with budget and plans,” said Medupe.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The police in Groot Marico request community assistance in tracing the family or relatives of an unknown woman, who was spotted around the vicinity of Mogopa village on 24 October 2022. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafja Botma said, the woman who seems to be mentally ill, informed the police that, her name is Ngileni Tandeka and she is from Swazine village.

 “The police request anyone who may assist in identifying and reuniting the woman with her family to call Warrant Officer Abotseng Ndebele on 073 594 1074 or Captain Molatlhegi Maimane on 076 510 9675,” she said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A 49-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for triple murder by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase on Friday. Peter Bila killed three people by dousing their rented room with petrol and setting it alight.

On 15 August 2019, the deceased couple, Mmusi Ratlotleng (41) and Nkagisang Mothopi (38) were sleeping in their rented room when Bila doused it with petrol. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said, in the process, another room where a girl, Angel Chimomo (13) was sleeping, also caught fire.

The atrocity took place in Rustenburg Noord.

“All three deceased were severely burned and succumbed to their injuries while in hospital. The accused was charged with three counts of murder of which he was given life imprisonment for each.

“He was further sentenced to ten years for arson and five years for malicious damage after two vehicles that were parked outside the house caught fire,” Botma said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the life imprisonment handed down to Bila. Kwena commended the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Richard Mokgogwane, and the Prosecutor, Advocate Sello Maema as well as other role players for their teamwork that resulted in the conviction.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Bangwe ba batshamiki ba kgele ya dinao ba ba tshotseng karolo kwa metshamekong ya dikgaisano kwa motseng wa Modimong gaufi le Taung mo kgweding e e fitileng, ba tlhopilwe ke setlhopa sa Real Madrid FC sa kwa Kimberley kwa porofenseng ya Northern Cape.

Setlhopa seno, se tsaya karolo mo leking ya ABC Motsepe. Mongwe wa batshamiki bao ba tlhopilweng ke mo nosa dino wa setlhopa sa Atlantic Pirates FC, Mswandile “Sniper” Maci. Lekawana leno la kwa Vesselbron kwa porofenseng ya Free State, one a tshamekela setlhopa seno fa ane a tlhopiwa.

Setlhopa seno sa Atlantic Pirates FC, ke bone bo mampodi ba sejana. Maci are, one a lalediwa go ka tsenela diteko tse dineng di tseisa manya kwa sekolong se segolwane sa PH Mooketsi kwa Taung ga mmogo le batshamiki ba ka nna 20.

Maci are, mo bekeng e e fetileng, ba ne ba leba kwa Kimberley go ya go tshameka motshameko wa diteko kgatlhanong le setlhopa sa Real Madrid FC.       

“Go ile ga tlhopiwa batshamiki ba le nne, mme ka lesego ke ile ka nna mongwe wa bone. Ke itumetse thata ebile ke tlile go ka dira ka natla gore ditoro tsame tsa go ka tshamekela setlhopa sengwe sa porofeshenale di atlege.

“Ke ka rata go ka tsaya tshono e, le go leboga botlhe ba ba tshotseng karolo mo go rulaganyeng diteko tse. Re tlile go tshimolola go ikatisa le setlhopa fa setlha se se latelang se tshimolola,” Maci wa tlhalosa.  

Mongwe wa barulaganyi ba thonamente kwa Modimong go tswa kwa setlhopeng sa Boema Lovely Movers FC yo ebileng a dira jaaka mokatisi, Jacob Takase Tshilo wa tlhalosa: “Gore re feleletse re rulagantse metsameko e, maikaelelo ene ele go ntsha bana mo mebileng le go thusa malapa a dikobo dikhutsane.

“Ka bonyenyane jo re nang le bone, re kgona go rekela makgarebe mesangwana ya bomme ha ba ya kgweding, ga mmogo le ditlhako tsa sekolo.”

Tshilo are ga ba felele foo, mme gape ba na le go thusa dikereke tse di tlhokang ga mmogo le bagodi.

“Re na le baborogi go tswa ko Boema Purified Water ga mmogo le baborogi ba ba farologaneng. Re ikuela gape mo masepaleng wa rona o mogolwane wa Taung gore o tlogele go goga dinao le go re lomeletsa, mme o re thuse mo re tlhokang teng.

“Thuso ga se fela ya madi, mme re ikuela gape go botlhe ba ba nang le bokgoni go ka tsenya letsogo. Re leka ka thata gore batshamiki ba rona ba kgone go fetela kwa legatong le le latelang la diliki tse di farologaneng jaaka PSL, Diski Challenge ga mmogo le leki ya Motsepe,” Tshilo wa tlhalosa.

Are ba itemogetse gore go thatanyana fa o dula mo magaeng go ka bona tshono, jaanong ba leka go tsholetsa serodumo gore ba ba batlanang le batshamiki le bone ba iponagatse go tla go lebelela metshameko eno.

Kgabagare, bafinyi ba iponetse ledi le le kanang ka R25 000, fa ba ba latlhegetsweng kwa makgaola-kganyeng ba iponela R11 000. Tshilo are ditlhopa tse di iponetseng maemo a boraro le a bone ba gapile madi a kanang ka R6000 setlhopa.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The police across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster urge motorists to be vigilant at all times. This comes after panic over a voice note that was widely circulated on social media platforms over allegations of several attempts of car hijacking just 15km outside Vryburg, while heading towards Taung.

In the voice note that is circulating on WhatsApp, a woman is heard saying they were nearly hijacked a few days ago. According to her, there are some alleged hijackers, who will pretend to be homeless or mentally ill and stand in the middle of the road to distract the driver, especially at night.

She said, then the person will attempt to stop the vehicle and eventually take out the firearm and points it to the driver in an attempt to hijack the car

However, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said, there are no cases of attempted hijacking or hijacking have been reported to the police, but it is important that motorists be aware of safety precautions whenever in transit.

“In light of the approaching festive season, the police management in the region wants to urge motorists to be extra cautious when travelling long or short distances. Motorists are therefore urged to be vigilant at all times, especially when stopped by any suspicious-looking vehicles or persons.

“They should be aware of their surroundings and approach intersections slowly. We also advise them to ensure that, they inform someone of their route and estimated time of departure and arrival. They can use the live location option on their smartphones as a monitoring tool,” van Rooyen said.

She further said, if the motorists suspect that they might be followed, they should adjust their route and start making their way to the nearest police station. Van Rooyen added that it is always best to practice safety first and if possible, they should try to alert other motorists by flickering their headlights and pressing their hooters to get their attention.

“While motorists are encouraged to respect the rule of law, they are urged to exercise caution and to put on their hazard lights when stopped by any suspicious police/traffic officers or suspicious vehicle and to drive to the nearest police station or a public place like a fuel station or business complex.

“In case of a hijacking in progress and they are confronted directly by the suspects, they should remain calm. They should also not resist and do as they are told,” she said.

Van Rooyen said the motorists should not make eye contact, leave the engine running and exit the vehicle. She also encouraged motorists to try and create as much space between themselves and the hijacker/s.

“Also, show them that you are not a threat by holding up your hands,” van Rooyen said.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Only a few days before Grade 12 learners will be sitting for their final examinations. The North West Department of Education hosted a Pledge Signing ceremony and the Provincial Prayer at Rutanang Primary School recently.

The pledge signing ceremony and the provincial prayer were attended by the Faith-Based Leaders, Class of 2022 learners, and different stakeholders. The North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said the objective of this session was to encourage learners to an incident-free examination.

“Since you are left with four days to get into your examination rooms for one of the most important examinations in your life as a learner, it becomes very important and appropriate for me to engage you at both intellectual and spiritual levels.

“Such an engagement is not only meant to motivate you, but also to inspire you. So, please have a sense of hope and determination to succeed against all odds. To you, the matriculants gathered here today, this examinations period must culminate a journey, which you started twelve or more years ago,” Matsemela said.

She further said, learners have walked a long mile to be where they are today. Matsemela added that now is the time for them to transfer the knowledge they have gained.

“We want this year’s examinations to be incident-free examination,” she said.

The North West Premier, Bushy Maape is set to visit Onkgopotse Tiro Comprehensive School on 31 October 2022 to assess the state of readiness ahead of the final examinations. Maape said the school was named after struggle veteran, Onkogopotse Abram Tiro.

“Tiro was SRC president at the then Turfloop University. He was also a history teacher at Isaac Morison High School, which later became a hive of political activities during the 1976 student uprisings. Tiro was one of the first anti-apartheid activists to be killed through a parcel bomb, while in exile in Gaborone, Botswana.

“The school accommodates largely learners from impoverished families and in particular farming communities in the Mahikeng and Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities. Last year, the school obtained a 97.4 % pass rate and over the years it has received excellence awards in teaching and learning,” he said.

Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) chairperson in North West, Paul Sebegoe said: “We would like to wish the matric class of 2022 well in their exams and appealed for support and no disruption of the examination program. In appealing for support and no disruption, SANCO wishes all learners, who will be sitting for their examinations the very best and urged them to stay focused and not to be distracted from the task at hand.

“We also appeal to 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 in as part of preparing for the exams throughout the year under very trying Post Covid-19 recovery conditions must be jealously guarded so that they achieve their objective to pursue their dreams.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Various women from far-flung areas received material support such as equipment and stock from the government to scale their cooperatives and small medium, and micro enterprises during the commemoration of Rural Women’s Day.

The event was held at Maboloka village near Brits and beneficiaries from all four districts lauded the North West Social Development for providing them with the support. The department has spent R4.2 million to procure the necessary equipment for women.

Addressing women who filled the community hall to capacity, North West Social Development Chief Director for Integrated Services, Masego Mekgwe said, the department has a policy on material support and economic strengthening to households, individuals, and community initiatives in place to provide women-lead SMMEs and cooperatives with material support to grow their businesses.

“Some women in other districts have already benefitted from this initiative since last year. So we urge women to stand up on their feet, form income-generating projects and shirk from depending on men,” she said.

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Ka BAKANG MOKOTO

Ba lelapa la ga tlhogoputswa wa kwa motseng wa Cokonyane gaufi le Taung, ba kaile fa ba na le tsholofelo gore mosadimogolo Kgalalelo Mosadiwamaje Naledi (79) o tla goroga kwa lelapeng a tshela morago ga kgwedi a timetse. Dingaka tse difarologaneng ga mmogo le morafe, ba tlhotse ba phuthaganetse kwa lelapeng la ra Naledi ele go ka tla ka maano a go bona motlhala o tla ba isa kwa Kgalalelo a leng gone.   

Morwa Kgalalelo, eleng Eric Naledi, are ba na le tshepo ya gore dingaka tse di tlhotse di gorogile kwa lelapeng la bone di tla ba tlhaga thuso. Eric are, ha e sale go tlhokafala ga rragwe, Kgalalelo o tshimolotse go kubogelwa ke bolwetsi jwa go lebala.

“Gompieno re ile ra amogela dingaka go ya jaaka di ile tsa bidiwa ke kgosi. Mme dingaka tsa rona, di dirile tiro ya tsone sentle bothata ke gore dingaka tsa mo gae ga di kae motho ka leina, mme di tshwantsa seemo.

“Jaanong, ba re itsisitse fa patlo e re tla e batlang e se kgakala le motse wa rona wa Cokonyane, ebile go gaufi le ha lapeng. Nnete ke gore mosadimogolo ene o ntse a dirisiwa. Jaanong re emetse go bona gore go tla diragalang gonne, dingaka di dirisitse meshunkwane ya bone jalo, mme re tla nama re letile matsatsinyana go bona gore go ka diragala eng,” Naledi wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, kgosana ya motse, Rabodigelo Mankuroane are: “Re ne re le mo ga rra-Naledi ka ntlheng ya mme Kgalaleo yo o timetseng. O na le nako e kang ka kgwedi le beke a sa bonwe. Jaanong, re ne re biditse dingaka tsa setso le morafe ga mmogo le mapodisi go ka tla go re thusa gore re mo batlele ntlheng efe.

“Jaanong ka gore ga se a bonwe, tshwetso e re e tshotseng ke gore, re nne re sa letile mme dingaka tsone di dirile tiro ya tsone. Re sentse re shebeletse go bona gore tiro ya dingaka e tla re tlela ka eng.”

Sepodisi sa Bokone Bophirima se kaile fa kgetsi ya go timela ga motho e butswe kwa sepodising sa Taung, mme dipatlisiso di tsweletse.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A learner from Batlhaping High School in Taung is dejected and does not feel safe anymore. This comes after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a teacher, Lebogang Mooka.

According to the aggrieved Grade 12 learner (18), the teacher started to make sexual advances back in 2020, but the school management allegedly swept the matter under the carpet.

*Naledi Kenosi (not her real name) said, the sexual assault started back in 2020 when she was the admin of a Physical Science subject WhatsApp Group. She said the teacher was part of the group because he teaches the subject.

“It was on Friday night around 11pm back in 2020, when I received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. So, I asked who the sender of the message is. But the person said he is the school administrator and asked if I’m still a virgin.

“So, I told the sender that, yes I’m still a virgin, but he said I’m lying. He then sent a message making sexual advances towards me. The message he sent said, kea go galela, (which is loosely translated as, I sexually fantasise you). I responded to the message by saying, I wonder what will the principal say about this inappropriate message.” she said.

Naledi said, she immediately received a call from Mooka, who said the administration has just called him. She said, she told Mooka that, it is surprising that he is calling her immediately after she responded to the message.

“So, he confessed that, actually it was he who sent the inappropriate WhatsApp message using his other number. Then he begged me not to report him to the school management because he might lose his job.

“I told a family friend who in turn, reported the matter to my mother. My parents went to the school and a meeting was arranged between Mr Mooka, school management and me,” Naledi said.

She further alleged that, Mooka confessed and apologised for his behaviour in front of the school management and her parents.  

“On 15 October 2022, I got level 1 in Physical Science subject. So during the break, I went to Mr Mooka to ask him why did I get level 1. He said, I should come and see him after the break when everyone has settled down.

“Immediately after the break, I went to him and found him in a computer room. There is another hidden room next to it. He stood up and went into that secluded room and I followed him,” she said.

Naledi added that, Mooka allegedly grabbed her buttocks and dragged her closer to him. She alleged that, Mooka demanded a kiss from her.

“I was so terrified and I did not even know what to do. He said he would not let me go until I kissed him. So, said I’ll kiss him immediately after my final examinations.

“Unfortunately, he needed assurance, but I told him that, the only thing that he could do is to trust me. He let me go and request me not to tell anyone,” said Naledi.

She said, now her life is upside down because of this ordeal. Naledi said she could not even attend either the incubation program or the Physical Science period because she is afraid of Mooka.  

“I cannot even concentrate anymore and I do not think I will pass my matric. I become so emotional when I see him and I feel like my rights were violated yet the school does not care.

“I think he was supposed to be suspended with immediate effect pending investigations. I mean, this is not the first time happening and I do not know want he will do next,” she said.

The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said, they have despatched the investigating team from their labour unit.

“With regards to the concerning Batlhaping High School, the department has dispatched a team of investigators from the labour unit to go and investigate these allegations. So, we will be able to report properly after the labour unit has dealt with the matter,” Malindi said.

Meanwhile, North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafja Botma said: “A criminal case was opened against the alleged suspect, but due to problems with the electricity the docket will only be registered today.

“Then the case number will be provided to the victim immediately thereafter. The allegations that the docket was missing is false and the suspect will be charged as soon as the docket is registered,” Botma said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The dire situation at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) has drawn the attention of the ANC provincial leadership. This comes after ‘summoned’ the municipality’s Troika to its Mpekwa House offices in Mahikeng today.

Recently, the municipality has been under siege after being marred with widespread allegations of corruption, maladministration and malfeasance. It is alleged that the senior managers at the municipality, paid themselves R2500 monthly for danger allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic even though they were working from home.

It is alleged that these happened without any EXCO or council resolution. Another issue, the municipality has 47 unverified employees including 17 councillors.

Now, the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) and other opposition parties, want these managers to pay back the money. The F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti said, the municipality would have spent R6 million on danger allowance if each employee is paid a monthly R2500 as danger allowance.

Moeti said, he understands that the previous council agreed upon R1500 as a flat rate, but not R2500.

“As the new council, we had to solicit the report from the administration to understand what exactly happened. We understand that, there was a disagreement between the administration and the labour forum in terms of the flat rate of R1500.

“So, as the F4SD, we have taken this with an exception because all these directors and managers who were paid R2500 as danger allowance, they were actually working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Moeti further said, they conducted their own research and found out that, the matter was indeed agreed upon directors, municipal manager, chief financial officer (CFO) and senior managers without any EXCO or municipal council resolution.

“The municipal manager as the accounting officer, could not give us any tangible evidence or resolution on the matter. We understand that every issue that goes to EXCO or council passes through him. Now, we have taken a resolution that all managers, directors, CFO and municipal manager must pay those R1000s from R2500 they received for danger allowance.

“There is a lack of service delivery to our communities and the municipality’s budget is R363 million,” said Moeti.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Sam Nape said, there are widespread allegations of serious corruption, maladministration and corruption at the municipality that need to be probed. Nape said this can be attributed to various factors, including incompetence, unwillingness including lack of accountability.

“Clearly, there is malfeasance in this case and is equivalent to corruption. As the DA, we call for a proper investigation and we will also call on the law enforcement agencies such as the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the matter.

“There are many issues where one could detect maladministration and corruption. To be honest, the management has not been fair because they insisted that they should be paid R2500 because, at times, they are subjected to overtime,” he said.

Nape said, even though that time period ended around March 2022, these managers are still paying themselves that money. He said, they have not yet taken a decision on whether the money will be paid or not pending investigation.

The EFF provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said the widespread corruption that is existing at the municipality is because the ANC recruit and appoints leaders, who are corrupt in their nature.

Meanwhile, ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said: “It is true that the ANC leadership has called a meeting with Troika of the municipality. The fact is, the Deployment Committee, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the ANC, has been meeting with all Troikas of all municipalities across the province.

“This series of meetings started on 20 September 2022, so the GTLM Troika and other municipalities are scheduled for today as part of that program. The agenda of the meeting is mainly around performance assessments on local government barometer in line with the 2021 Local Government Manifesto and service delivery in general.”

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