By REGINALD KANYANE

A 20 year-old learner from a small town, Christiana received the Best Performing Learner against All Odds during Dr Ruth Mompati Matric awards. The event was held at Uurpan Safari Lodge in Schweizer Reneke on Tuesday.

Dinilisiwe Makhetho is living with disability after he was born with deformed hands. Makhetho said he was not deterred and always wanted to finish his Grade 12 despite hardship. He lives with his unemployed mother in a RDP house in Marikana in Christiana.

The Lerona High School learner majored in Business Economics and Accounting and obtained exemption.

“I am grateful to God for bringing me thus far. Many people and learners have hurled insults at me because of my disability. However, that never deterred me and my aim was to make my mother proud. She has sacrificed a lot for us through hardships and tribulations.

“I am going to further my studies at Sol Plaatjie University in Kimberley and study BA Degree in General Art. I was raised by a single unemployed mother after my father disowned me, saying that I am not his child,” Makhetho said.

Makhetho’s mother, Tshidi Nwabufo said: “It was hard-breaking after I saw Dinilisiwe for the first time. I have to confess that his birth led to divorce. My husband left me after he found out that Dinilisiwe was not his child. The worst part was when his biological father also disowned him after I informed him that he is the real father.

“I went through depression, however, God always has a way to fix our lives. I am grateful that he made it thus far even. Even though I am unemployed, we hope Good Samaritan will come to rescue us.”

The municipality executive mayor, Boitumelo Mahlangu said they have chosen 13 top achievers learners across the district.

“Most of those who benefited come from poor backgrounds. We have taken four learners from each three local municipalities and the overall top achiever in the district. Those learners come from Lekwa-Teemane, Naledi and Mamusa local municipalities.

The municipality will continue to monitor those who are funded at their various tertiary institutions respectively,” she said.

According to Mahlangu, the Stats SA has identified that the level of education in the district is too low. Dr Ruth Mompati District languished at the bottom of all districts in the North West province during matric results announcement recently. Top achievers learners received R10 000 each and laptops.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A fraud case against three Free State suspects has been postponed. Mojalefa Springkan (30), Kgosana Tladi (49) and David Mokonyane (52) briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Thursday facing a fraud case.

The trio was arrested in October 2017 at Taung Mall by South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence in partnership with Taung Police Station after a tip-off.

The suspects allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims their hard-earned cash at the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across Dr Ruth Mompati district. The Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer, Kagiso Phemelo told the court that suspects allegedly robbed a woman her Sassa card at Pudimoe complex in Pudimoe Location, near Taung before they proceeded to Taung Mall.

“The suspects were followed by the police from Pudimoe Location to Taung where they were allegedly stopped and searched. The police found loads of various bank cards in their possession. They were arrested and police confiscated the vehicle that they used during the commission of crime,” Phemelo said.

The suspects were remanded in custody until their next appearance on 31^st of January 2018. They have obtained a new attorney, Johan Voster. They have previous fraud cases committed in Gauteng and Free State provinces.

Voster said he will submit new evidence and formally apply for bail. The fraud case against the suspects in Ficksburg in Free State has been struck off the roll because of lack of evidence against them.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Frank Lesenyego said: “We are adamant that we have a water-tight case against the suspects. They also have previous convictions.”

Taung Police Station cluster spokesperson, Sergeant Tebogo Thebe urged people to be alert. Thebe added that they have increased police visibility in Taung CBD.

“We urged bank users to be wary of criminals because we have realised that card-skimming operators ascend to our areas. We are working together with other law enforcement agencies to curb these criminal activities. There are many fraud cases being reported thus far and we will work tirelessly in arresting the perpetrators.

“The majority of card-skimming incidents in South Africa are recorded around ATMs and, to a lesser extent, at retail merchants when bank cards are presented for payments. So, card users should never give their cards to someone at an ATM for any reason. They should also never let anyone assist them at an ATM, even if they appear to be a bank official or security personnel,” he said.

Thebe further said that people should beware of people standing closer to them when they are concluding transactions at an ATM. He added that they should ensure that they hide their pins when keying into an ATM.

“Never use an ATM that looks tampered with or damaged.  Card users must always use an ATM in a well-lit area or use an ATM that is monitored by a CCTV camera if possible,” he said.

Victims of this fraud case said they still have faith in the justice system. Meisie Hendricks from Lokaleng village, near Taung was allegedly robbed R1000 and R1600 in two occasions.

“I was robbed my hard-earned cash by the suspects. I have faith in the justice system and I am hopeful that they will not be granted bail. We cannot let people come to Taung and engage into criminal activities. There are so many people who were robbed and that left them crippled financially,” Hendricks said.

Michael Motate said: “My wife was robbed R1000 at the ATM through card-skimming. We need to fight this criminal behaviour together with the community. I want to applaud the police for sterling job and believe that our court will not be lenient on the suspects considering that they have similar previous cases.”

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Police in Kgomotso together with Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Thuo-Boswa Farmers Association held a Stock Theft Crime awareness campaign at Losasaneng Community hall in Losasaneng village, near Kgomotso on Wednesday. Pudimoe Police Station cluster spokesperson, Sgt Tebogo Thebe encouraged a good working relationship between all stakeholders.

“We highly-appreciate the community’s contribution in working hand-in-hand with the police. We also want to urge them to make use of existing complaints mechanism at all police stations by visiting station commander’s office, whenever they are dissatisfied with service rendered to them,” Thebe said.

Greater Taung local municipality, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Rural, Environmental and Agriculture Development (READ) were in attendance. Thuo-Boswa Farmer’s Association secretary, Pule Selokane said: “We urge the community at large to join the fight against crime. Crime is committed by people we know within our communities, so let us not protect them. We also need to support our local police by being their eyes and ears.

The North West Community Safety and Transport department was part of the event. The department encouraged livestock owners to tattoo their animals in terms of the Animal Identification act no 6 of 2002.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said she is concern about public violence that took place across the province recently. Motswenyane said while members of the community have the right to demonstrate as enshrined in the constitution, that must always be done peacefully and without infringing on the rights of others.

“This warning follows a number of violence marred community protests that have been taking place in the province since the beginning of this month. On the 8^th of January 2018, members of the community in Ottoshoop barricaded R49 road between Mahikeng and Zeerust. They allegedly burnt a local post office and pelted the police station with stones.

“They were complaining about lack of basic service delivery in their area. In Rustenburg, a group of people went on a rampage and burnt several buildings and vehicles at various locations including the Central Business District (CBD). The incidents occurred a week ago and it is clear that criminals used that opportunity to commit crime.

“The incidents were linked with elimination of alleged drug dealers and brothels in town. Earlier this week, members of community in Dinokana village near Zeerust, barricaded N4 road between Zeerust and Botswana in demand for water. On the 17^th of January 2018, a number of Itsoseng residents allegedly torched a house and two vehicles, while four other vehicles were damaged,” Motswenyane said.

She further said the motive of the incident is not yet known.  Motswenyane added that earlier during the day, a group of boys allegedly blocked learners from neighbouring Verdwaal village from going to school in Itsoseng.

“It is important that all available legal possibilities are followed and exhausted to express any dissatisfaction rather than resorting to violence. Lawlessness has no place in our society. No matter how long it takes, we will ensure that the long arm of the law catches up with those who take advantage of community protests to commit crime and destroy properties,” Motswenyane said.

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Picture: Former Bophuthatswana president, Kgosi Lucas Manyane Mangope  

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Economic Freedom Fighters in the North West (EFF) said former Bophuthatswana president, Lucas Mangope was a stooge, but better than North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo. The EFF provincial spokesperson, Thabo Sehloho said his party has sent its heartfelt condolences message to the Mangope family after his death.

Mangope (94) passed away at his homestead in Motswedi village, near Lehurutshe on Thursday after a long illness. Preparations for his funeral are underway.

“The reality is that history does not have blank page. The name Lucas Mangope features greatly in the history books of South Africa in the period of pre-1994 and post-1994. As any leader of then Bantustan, Mangope was regarded as the collaborator and a stooge of the apartheid. He was the leader of the apartheid surrogate called Bophuthatswana were black majority was divided into tribe and language.

“Mangope perpetuated ethnic division and other ethnic group had the idea that they are superior more than any other because apartheid wanted a divided black nation. However, we commend him for the infrastructural development of his time which today is destroyed by the ANC. Mangope understood the concept of rural development unlike North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo who make noise about VTSD and yet cannot develop Taung Agricultural College which was built by Mangope,” he said.

Sehloho further said Mangope built shopping complex which resulted in more job opportunities for the rural areas of Lehurutshe, Thaba Nchu, Lichtenburg and etc. He added that Mangope further built a town surrounded by more than 120 villages and developed Mmabatho were SABC, North West Provincial Legislature, North West University and many other are situated.

“In his time, he built schools and colleges unlike the ANC which in 23 years cannot claim one University and Colleges. The ANC since in power has not built a road which last for more than 2 years yet Mangope built roads which the ANC failed to maintain. It is the failure of the ANC that many people of South Africa are nostalgic of the apartheid government and its collaborators.

“More than 23 years, it is only about looting state resources and nothing about dealing with unemployment, infrastructure development, rural development and opening doors of learning by building schools, colleges, universities and factories,” he said.

The ANC in North West said Kgosi Mangope was a former leader of Bophuthatswana homeland, a large part of which has now formed North West province. ANC provincial deputy secretary, Sussana Dantjie said: “Under the ANC
government, Kgosi Mangope’s United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP) played an important role as an opposition party in our province. As Chief of Bahurutshe Boo-Manyane in Motswedi in Lehurutshe where he comes from, he also contributed immensely to the relationship between traditional leaders and the North West Provincial Government.

“Mangope leaves this world when the current administration enjoys a good working
relationship with dikgosi and that includes his own royal house. As part of the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal (RHR) programme of the province, ANC Provincial Chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo visited Kgosi Mangope at his home in 2015 and discussed a wide range of issues.”

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

ANC wished well and congratulated the governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Lesetja Kganyago on his appointment as the new chairperson of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) International Monetary and Financial Committee.

ANC spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa said the transformation of international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank will give a greater voice to emerging economies.

“This will also advance development friendly global multilateral trade regimes which has long been a cornerstone of the ruling party’s International Relations policy. To this end, it is crucial that there is greater representation of developing countries across the management structures of these important institutions.

“Kganyago is the first IMFC chairperson from the Sub-Saharan African region. His appointment is a resounding affirmation of a global confidence in South Africa’s financial institutions. The IMFC provides strategic direction to and makes decisions on crucial matters involving the international monetary and financial system,” Kodwa said.

He further said the ANC hopes that Kganyago will leverage this appointment to ensure that the voices of developing countries are always taken into account in decision-making. Kodwa added that Kganyago already serves as South Africa’s Alternative Governor on the IMF Board of Governors and he brings a wealth of experience to the position.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 33 year-old suspect from Magogoe village will be back at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng on Thursday. Oscar Mompati Mmutlwane was arrested for traffic learnership recruitment scam and is expected to make his bail application.

Mmutlwane was formally charged and remanded in custody last week Wednesday. This was to allow the police to conduct further investigations in the matter. North West Community Safety and Transport Management department spokesperson, Thabo Sematle said: “It is alleged that the suspect claimed to be working for the department’s Head Office and responsible for the recruitment of traffic trainees. He was using names of certain departmental officials and collected bribes of R3 000 from different people promising to recruit them for traffic learnership training.

“We urge the public to constantly verify information relating to recruitment and learnerships directly with the department. Our department and the South African Police Services (SAPS) also appeal to members of the community who might have experienced the scam to come forth and report their cases to the Mahikeng Police Station.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

THE hopes of finding two missing girls from Bloemhof have faded away after unknown bones were discovered in a shallow grave in October 2017. The bones that are believed to be of two missing girls from Boitumelong Location, in Bloemhof were taken to forensic.

Matseleng Nteta (7) and her friend, Rethabile Tshabadira (3) went missing more than a year ago. They were allegedly playing in the streets and went to the local tuck-shop to buy sweets but never returned.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that unknown bones were discovered in Bloemhof. However, Mokgwabone said the bones were taken in for forensic investigations.

“We can confirm that bones were discovered in the area in October 2017. However, the bones were taken in for DNA and the results are not yet out. They were discovered by a passerby who went to the bushes to relieve himself. He saw the skull and reported the matter to the police.

“No one has been arrested as yet and police opened an inquest case. The case will only be changed to murder after DNA results. We urge our people to be calm and continue to work together with the police in reporting criminal activities taking place in their vicinity. The police will continue to serve our communities with pride and combat crime,” he said.

The parents of the missing girls said they want closure. Maria Nteta (28) who is the mother to Matseleng said: “We are still waiting for the forensic test results. We lost hope long time ago in the police because nothing positive came out of their investigations. It seems they have also hit dead end. I missed my daughter so much and I am looking for closure.”

Rethabile’s grandmother, Lenah Tshabadira (49) said the police have failed them dismally. She said the police did not put more efforts in finding their children.

“Rethabile was a bubbly person and I still maintain that the police failed us. The police took 48 hours to intensify a search. We could have found them in time if their reacted earlier. However, we will remain confident and wait for the DNA test,” she said.

Dr Ruth Mompati region social activist, Mika Moeti said: “We will work closely with police to ensure that perpetrator/s is caught. We cannot continue to live normal while we having missing children. They have families and it is wrong for monsters do as they please within our communities.”

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 20 year-old missing man was found along the road between Christiana and Jan Kempdorp on Saturday. North West police spokesperson, Lt Col Adéle Myburgh said Tumisang Makabela went missing in Chiefscourt village in Taung while visiting his family during festive season.

“Taung police received information on Saturday that the missing Makabela was seen walking on the road between Christiana and Jan Kempdorp. The investigating officer alongside with Makabela’s family members rushed to the scene. He was found sleeping under the tree about 15km outside Christiana.

“He was exhausted and taken to a local hospital for medical check-up. Makabela who is mentally handicapped, was last seen by his uncle on 2^nd of January 2018. He was wearing a blue t-shirt, navy blue trousers and red tekkies,” Myburgh said.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane expressed her appreciation about the cooperation between the police, family members, community members and the media that resulted in the missing person to be traced and found.

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