Picture: Five accused appear at Hartswater Magistrate’s Court for alleged triple murder

By OBAKENG MAJE

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Northern Cape says it has a water-tight case against five accused regarding Hartswater triple farm murder. Donald Seolesang (20), Tshepo Visagie (36), Realeboga Manyedi (19), Kgomotso Mpumlwana (43) and Tshepaone Melato (19) were arrested following the abduction and murder of an elderly couple, Breggie (73) and Danie (83) Brand and their daughter, Elizabie (54) on Sunday.

The suspects briefly appeared at Hartswater Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. According to the police, the suspects allegedly robbed the deceased their belongings like laptops and money on their farm before they fled the scene. They allegedly kidnapped Elizabie and dumped her body in Takaneng village near Taung.

The suspects were arrested by police in Pudimoe Township in Taung on N18 road while driving the SUV vehicle belonging to the deceased.

The NPA spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokwatsane said: “We have a water-tight case against the accused looking at the evidence that we have collected thus far. We do not want to speculate on the motive of this crime, but looking at the way things were, this is only crime. Probably, the motive might have been money because they took a car and laptops.

“The suspects do not have any relations with the victims and this might have been a crime where the suspects wanted to make a quick buck. A crime is crime and it does not have race or class. So, we do not see this as a farm attack and it is unfortunate that it happened to this family.”

The family spokesperson, Stephen Bennie described the ‘calamity’ as barbaric and unscrupulous. Bennie said it is difficult for the family to deal with the loss.

“It is very difficult for family members to face the accused. However, we said to them that it is very vital for them to face the accused. This will send a clear message to the accused that they will not win because what they did is inhumane. We are extremely grateful for the unwavering support we received from various community members and organisations.

“We also want to applaud the SAPS for their swift response. There is no funeral arrangement for the deceased yet, one of the family members went to the mortuary to identify their bodies,” he said.

Occupational and Safety manager at Vaalharts Landbou Verenig, Frederick Van Zyl shared the same sentiments. Van Zyl said they hope justice will prevail and they will be glad if the suspects rot in jail.

“Is very bad and sad for the family to look at the suspects and say these are the people who killed our sister, father, and mother. There is only thing that could ease the pain by seeing them going to jail. We would like to send our regards to the farming community and the police for assisting in arresting the suspects.

“We do not know the motive behind this heinous crime, but we hear that the suspects were looking for money. However, I ask myself that why they did not take money and belongings instead of killing them. Rural safety needs to be taken into consideration and we have learned a lesson from this incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, four suspects requested a representation from the legal aid attorney, while Mpumlwana will attain her own attorney. Magistrate Doctor Jameson postponed the case until 13 August 2020 and the suspects will remain in custody.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 36-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder by the North West High Court in Klerksdorp. Daniel Owusu Mintah brutally murdered Lovemore Ncube (5) back in 2018.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said Ncube was last seen with Mintah at Indian Centre near Ikageng Location in Potchefstroom. Funani said Ncube went to the shops to buy some sweets, but he was reported missing after he failed to return home.

“It came out in court that Ncube met with the accused who took him to his residential place where he was assaulted and suffocated with a pillow. Ncube’s lifeless body was discovered under the bed by Mintah’s friend, who was searching for his cell phone. The police were alerted and Mintah was arrested. He has been behind bars ever since his arrest,” she said.

In another incident, Sipho Sunnyboy Molobe (53) was sentenced to a life and an additional 40 years imprisonment. Funani said Molobe shot and killed Albert Mosekwa Raseboya (39) at Oukasie Location near Brits back in 2015.

“It was reported during the incident that Raseboya who attempted to run away after Molobe and his accomplices demanded money from him, was shot and killed on the scene. The incident occurred at Raseboya’s place where he was operating a tavern.

“Molobe was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years in prison for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 10 years in prison for being in possession of an unlawful firearm, 10 years in prison for being in possession of unlawful ammunition, and five years in prison for housebreaking with intent to rob,” she said.

Funani added that the additional 40 years imprisonment will run concurrently with the life sentence. Molobe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the Ikageng and Brits Detectives for a sterling job which ensured that merciless murderers get hefty sentences.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Three suspects aged 32, 43 and 45 are expected to appear at the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday for being in possession of endangered species. North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said police received a tip-off after three men allegedly tried to sell a pangolin worth R1.4 million at Waterfall Mall in Rustenburg on Thursday.

“The trio was apprehended by members of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit. According to information received, the police spotted a Silver Ford Figo vehicle with Gauteng Province registration numbers in the vicinity of the mall. The vehicle was approached for a search and a pangolin worth R1.4 million was found inside.

“All three suspects were arrested and charged for possession of endangered species. The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Sello Kwena applauded the Provincial Organised Crime for the success.  Kwena also thanked members of the community for their valuable information which led to the arrest.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Two suspects appeared at Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court separately for fraud and being in possession of a stolen vehicle on Thursday. According to police, Equal Siyakhula Zitha (19) and Kamogelo Makua (20) were arrested in Phola near Ogies in Mpumalanga on Tuesday.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the arrest comes after intensive investigations over fraudulent car deals at one of the car dealerships in Klerksdorp. Funani said during the arrest, Zitha was found in possession of a Ford Ranger.

“Our intensive investigations linked Makua to five fraudulent vehicle purchase transactions including the Ford Ranger found in possession of Zitha. The other two transactions were conducted in Vereeniging and Pretoria respectively.

“It was also established that the format of the salary advice and bank statements used by the suspects were possibly linked to a syndicate operating from Phola of which several cases were registered for fraudulent transactions between November 2018 and March 2020 in Witbank, Boksburg, Lydenburg, Sandton, Burgersfort, Whiteriver and Nelspruit,” she said.

The two accused were granted an R5000 bail each and will be back in court on 7 September 2020.

In a separate incident, an inquiry docket was opened after a Toyota Avanza which Zitha’s relatives traveled in to attend court, was seized, says Funani. She added that this comes after a preliminary investigation that revealed that the vehicle was sought for recovery by Wesbank.

She said the seized vehicle was allegedly bought in Klerksdorp using the same modus operandi.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and South African Police Service (SAPS) management embarked on a consultative engagement to strengthen their working relationship. This comes after reports of harassment by police officers against journalists while covering protests.

SANEF deputy chairperson, Katy Katopodis said they held a robust, frank, and successful meeting on a wide range of issues, including the working relations between journalists and members of the police.

“We have tabled concerns regarding the hindrance and harassment of journalists in courts around the country as well as the media’s experiences of harassment and injury by SAPS members, while in the field covering the Coronavirus crisis.

“In turn, SAPS tabled concerns regarding some members of the media obstructing police in their course of duty. Further, they outlined their new Online Policing Strategy to fight crime online. The details will be released at the later stage,” Katopolis said.

She further said the meeting agreed that despite specific serious incidents, the relationship between journalists and various units of the SAPS was primarily mutually cordial and reflecting the spirit of cooperation between the media and the SAPS. Katopolis added that both agreed parties agreed that the police and journalists can do their jobs without confrontations.

“It is possible for both parties to respect their various roles out in the field. Furthermore, the meeting decided to recommit to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed more than 10 years ago but is still relevant. It was agreed that this document needed to be updated and made relevant to the current times, before being signed by September.

“To make this work further, the meeting agreed to establish a team with representatives from both SAPS and SANEF to unpack the MoU. It will recommend a programme of action that includes training for journalists on crime scene etiquette and training for police officers on the critical role of the media in covering crime and protests,” she said.

Katopolis said the SANEF is committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. She said the structure promotes excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes.

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Picture: Democratic Alliance flag

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The Democratic Alliance is outrageous over the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to close public schools. Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that schools will be closed from 24 July until 24 August 2020 as COVID-19 infections continue to swell across the country.

However, DA leader, John Steenhuisen said they do not support Ramaphosa’s decision. He said Ramaphosa has bent the knee to all-powerful teachers’ unions, in particular SADTU, who do not have the best interests of learners at heart.

“Ramaphosa is behaving like a “spectator President”, taking instructions from whichever powerful interest group threatens him more. This decision is not supported by the best available evidence, it is not supported by education experts, and it is not supported by the virus data. The scientific evidence is that schools do not expose learners and staff to higher levels of risk than any other place.

“Closing schools will have a devastating effect on children for years to come. It will make the inequality in our society worse. The school year will be further disrupted and may be compromised altogether. Many learners will drop out and never return or will fall behind to the point that they can never catch up,” Steenhuisen said.

He further said after four weeks of school closures, the virus will still be there. Steenhuisen added that the ANC government’s decision to close schools has nothing to do with ensuring the safety of South Africa’s children or teachers and everything to do with ensuring the survival of the ANC and its incapable state.

“This decision underscores the ANC’s indifference to the fate of South Africa’s children. It comes not even a week after the Pretoria High Court found that the basic education minister and the eight ANC provincial education heads had breached their constitutional duty by freezing the school feeding scheme,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said: “South Africa now has the fifth-highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world and accounts for half of all the cases in Africa. The coronavirus storm has indeed arrived, with the provinces of Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal experiencing a rapid rise in infections.

“Even as the country braces for the difficult weeks ahead, it is significant that more than half of those people who we know to have been infected have now recovered. We have also seen a leveling-off of infections in the Western Cape since the third week of June.”

He said in approaching the opening of schools, they have always said that the health and well-being of learners and educators is critical. Ramaphosa said they will ensure that the development and progress of learners is not impeded.

“Schools will be closed from 27 July and will re-open on 24 August. There are, however, some exceptions. Grade 12 learners and teachers will only take a one-week break, returning to school on 3 August. Grade 7 learners will take a two-week break, returning to school on 10 August. Specific arrangements will be made for different categories of special schools.

“As a result of the disruptions caused by the pandemic, the current academic year will be extended beyond the end of 2020. The Minister of Basic Education will provide details on the management of the remainder of the school year,” he said.

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Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Mangement, Sello Lehari

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Various government offices continue to be closed after some officials are reported to be engulfed by the COVID-19. The latest affected office was the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality at the Kgetlengrivier Fire & Emergency Services in Koster.

Two employees were tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The municipality BPDM executive mayor, Fetsang Molosiwa said two firefighters consulted the doctor separately after experiencing flu symptoms early this week. Molosiwa said one firefighter who is currently in the hospital was in a pro-active section, which is a straight shift.

“He went for the test on Monday and received the results the following day. The other firefighter, who is a shift worker, was on duty over the weekend. She also underwent some tests and confirmed to be positive on Wednesday.

“However, the station will remain opened for members of the public to access emergency services. Another case has been confirmed in the Office of the Municipal Manager late yesterday, but the office will not be closed. The staff member had been in the office over seven to eight days ago,” she said.

Molosiwa further said she is trying to come to terms with the high number of infections in the district, particularly within the district municipality. She said they are aware that the firefighters are one of those that are at the forefront in fighting the spread of the virus.

“This is not good at all and we wish all BPDM employees speedy recovery. With these newly-confirmed cases, it now brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the district municipality to 5,” said Molosiwa.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari has noted with regret the five COVID-19 cases reported by various traffic stations in the province. Lehari said three confirmed cases are in Dr Kenneth Kaunda, one in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and another in Bojanala respectively.

“The department has taken all precautionary measures as prescribed by closing the affected traffic stations. We already conducted the decontamination process on all of them and offered psycho-social support to our staff members.

“These psycho-social support processes were also completed and officials were advised to self-isolate. The Department of Health has been informed and they handled the contact tracing process. We would like to send our wishes for a speedy recovery to the affected colleagues,” he said.

Lehari added that all testing stations for learners and driving licenses are operational throughout the province albeit for fewer applicants than usual in line with the lockdown alert level 3 regulations.

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Picture: Former North West MEC for Tourism 

By REGINALD KANYANE

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in the North West came out gun blazing and defended one of its own, Wendy Nelson. This comes after allegations emerged that there is a plot to deny Nelson an entry into the North West Provincial Legislature to become a Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) as ANC member.

ANCWL acting provincial secretary, Bitsa Lenkopane who is also an MPL said Nelson is the next member on the ANC’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) list to ascend and serve as MPL for the party provided there a space.

“We will hold the ANC to task to abide by the member’s constitutional rights and never find itself discriminating unfairly against Nelson. We believe that the exchanges that have been making rounds on social media will not play into the provincial ANC thinking.

“Comrade Nelson is the ANC List Conference product that has produced the current status quo. She is a member of the ANCWL’s Provincial Executive Committee, a member of the minority group in the country and she is a woman. Comrades have previously painted her bad for reasons of malice intent,” Lenkopane said.

She further said Nelson who is facing charges of fraud has been previously called to answer for those allegations and she has not been found guilty by any court of law. Lenkopane said they will defend Nelson in any patriarchal kangaroo court.

“As women, we will not be silenced or deterred by allegations that have never been tested by any court of the South African Law. As the league, we will not allow tendencies that seek to hijack the ANC’s operations in the province to displace and deny women their constitutional rights to play their roles as ANC members in good standing,” she said.

However, the African National Congress Veteran’s League (ANCVL) provincial secretary, Mike Sebakwane said: “The movement is faced with the enormous task of uprooting this scourge of corruption in the public institutions in order to provide the much needed basic service delivery to the people of this province. We have noticed attempts to discredit good comrades and to promote some who are well-known reactionaries and looters.

“The ANC and its alliance must not be distracted by the corrupt elements masquerading as champions of the justice principle which says “innocent till proven guilty”. The purveyors of this concept pretend that they do not know the resolution of the 54th Conference in Nasrec, which says that any member who is implicated in corruption should step aside to maintain the integrity of the ANC.”

Sebakwane said the veterans’ league calls upon members of the organization to reject the attempt to bring back former public representatives who failed the test of loyalty to the movement and chose to be loyal to champions of corruption against the people’s interests.

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the Ngaka Modiri Molema shared the same sentiments. SANCO regional secretary, Khumalo Molefe said he is disappointed at the level of ill-discipline demonstrated by the ANCWL. He said the league has elected to rely on some fictitious social media sources and issued a statement instead of walking to the office of the ANC Secretariat.

“In its factional and misleading statement, the ANCWL asserts that Nelson is an ANC list conference product that has produced the status quo. However, as SANCO in the Ngaka Modiri Molema rejects this blatant lapse of memory and the attempt to rewrite history by reminding the league that comrades Nelson and Lenkopane who is also the MPL are not a an outcome of the list conference that we as SANCO participated on.

“Instead, the conference produced capable comrades in Lena Miga and Eric Lansman whose names were mysteriously removed from the list and the ANCWL conveniently looked away forgetting that Miga, who is their former provincial secretary with decorated credentials is a woman,” said Molefe.

Meanwhile, the ANC in Matlosana released a media statement clobbering the ANCVL. ANC’s Tyrone Thomas branch secretary, Francois Quincy Galamadien said: “We have noted with deep regret the veiled attack against the swearing-in of comrade Nelson. The ANCVL statement smacks of cowardice and the inability to comradely address issues of concern directly.

“We challenge the veterans to produce any court outcomes and equally to produce a statement written by them as a counter against any other member of the legislature who may have faced any criminal charges post the 54th National Congress, there are none,” Galamadien said.

He said the oblique attack on Nelson is racial because she is coloured. Galamadien added that there has been no attempt to dealing with the interest of minority groups in the North West, yet corruption is selectively used to attack leaders.

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Picture: (Courtesy of google: The late Dr Nelson Mandela) 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The global community celebrates the life and honour the legacy of the late Dr Nelson Mandela. South Africa’s first black president spent most of his adult life fighting apartheid system. He died at the age of 95 after ensuring a prolonged lung infection.

The Republic of South Africa’s National Parliament said today, the country celebrates Mandela Day during a period where Covid-19, a deadly novel virus that has changed how they interact with each other, the NA speaker, Thandi Modise said in a statement.

Modise said after 114 days of different levels of a phased lockdown, whose aim was to flatten the infection curve, they now have to deal with the exponential increase in infections in some provinces.

“This period, which had a devastating effect on the economy and the livelihoods of many in our country, requires that we stand socially distanced from each other but side-by-side while we continue to stop the spread of infection.

“As we celebrate and honour the legacy of the Founding Father of our democracy, Tata Nelson Mandela, we remember his words when he said may people’s choices reflect their hopes, not their fears,” said Modise.

She added that the choices people make individually, and collectively, should reflect the hope that the country will win this fight against this virus. Modise said choosing to stay at home or going out only to get essential goods, while observing all hygiene protocols, is a reflection of the collective hope that they are working to survive beyond the inconveniences brought about by the disease.

“With our collective efforts, much has been achieved. We are at a comparatively much better situation than many countries. However, we must still observe social distancing, wash our hands regularly and wear protective equipment like masks and face shields.

“Addressing a plenary of the National Assembly recently Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize reminded us that “Covid-19 will not be defeated in hospitals but in our communities. As Parliament, we would also like to urge every person living in South Africa today to ensure that whatever action they take is for the common good,” said Modise.

She highlighted that regulations that the government has put in place are designed to minimise the spread of the virus. Modise said people must follow the exemplary, selfless leadership of Tata Madiba and his peers, and put the health of all around them at home and in their communities first.

“As Madiba said, “a fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.” The post-coronavirus period will require all of us to find ways to recover our economy, to reinstate the lost livelihoods of the majority and to continue our efforts of bringing about a just and equitable society.

“Parliament has during this time continued to intensify its scrutiny of executive action, passed legislation and facilitated people’s engagement in the battle against this pandemic. As we honour Madiba, we must at all times strive to emulate his noble values and principles, care for others, stand with each other, fight for one another and protect each other against this pandemic. Madiba’s revolutionary life has taught us that with resilience, courage and determination, we can overcome even the most challenging battles.

“We stand in solidarity with all the unsung and selfless heroes at the forefront of the battle against this cruel and devastating enemy, such as doctors, nurses, scientists, police officers, amongst others,” Modise concludes.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Executive Director, Neeshan Balton said: “There are myriad challenges that people are subjected to in the country. Mandela Day encourages active citizenship. It is about taking Madiba’s legacy forward. While it is important, especially in light of the current health and food crisis as a result of Covid-19, to undertake humanitarian work, it is equally important to promote democratic ideals.

“These are important because it will ensure a strengthened democracy that will allow us to weather the Covid-19 storm, as well as respond effectively to increased economic and social tensions. We must be cognisant of the fact that if certain parts of our democracy were not ‘broken’, if the state had not been captured in the last decade, and if the people’s interests were always at the heart of governance, our country would have had greater resilience to deal with all other issues.”

He said the foundation is deeply concerned that as the country grapples with the pandemic, public money still continues to be looted, even from emergency funds made available to deal with the crisis.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is expected to hold a virtual annual lecture today at 3pm. The foundation spokesperson, Luzuko Koti said they have invited prominent people to drive debate on significant social issues.

“The lecture series is an important event on the Foundation’s calendar, and encourages people to enter into dialogue – often about difficult subjects – in order to address the challenges we face today.

“This year’s theme – Tackling the Inequality Pandemic: A new social contract for a new era. This year’s lecture takes place at a time when the world faces an unprecedented test, as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens everyone, everywhere.  The world must unite to protect lives and ease suffering.  As always at times of crisis, the vulnerable suffer first and worst,” he said.

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