Picture: Vryburg Magistrate’s Court windows smashed
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A 35-YEAR-OLDman who was arrested for malicious damage to property is expected back in court. Sibongile Dube was arrested on 9 January 2022 for allegedly smashing the Vryburg Magostrate’s Court windows.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, a security officer on duty heard windows being smashed, and upon investigation saw the suspect running away from the scene.
“The security officer gave chase and caught Dube. The police were called and he was arrested and officially charged. The Vryburg Magistrate’s Court postponed a case against Dube to 25 January 2022 for Legal Aid representation.
“He was charged with malicious damage to property, in a turn of events, Dube told the court that he will no longer plead guilty to his alleged offence and he further requested a Legal Aid attorney,” he said.
Mamothame further said in Dube’s last appearance in court on 17 January 2022, he opted to represent himself then told the court that he intends to plead guilty for his offence. He added that Dube claimed his actions were driven by anger following a three-month jail sentence he served for failing to appear in court on a separate offence in June 2020.
“He also attributed his anger to a two-year sentence he received in 2009 on an assault case. Dube alleges that he had a valid reason for not attending court but was nonetheless sentenced,” said Mamothame.
Dube was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
Picture: Oratile Mothibi who was allegedly kidnapped/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A 18-YEAR-OLD girl who was kidnapped on Sunday is still nowhere to be found. Oratile Mothibi from Magogong village near Taung was allegedly kidnapped by an unknown man at around 9am while walking with her two younger brothers in the bushes from Modutung village.
North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “According to information received, Oratile, her brother and cousin, aged 11 and 14 years respectively, went to Modutung to fetch morogo. Whilst in the veld, an unknown man grabbed Oratile and threatened the boys with a knife when trying to rescue their sister.
“The boys ran home to inform the parents and since this incident, various police units, including the Air Wing (helicopter) and community members have been searching for her without success.”
It is alleged that Oratile’s clothes stained with blood were found at the crime scene. A case of kidnapping was opened at Taung Police Station.
Myburgh said anyone with information is requested to contact the investigating officer, Capt Joseph Montwedi on cell: 082 496 0332. Alternatively, you can phone Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information from your smartphone to the MySaps App.
Picture: Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla with North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha at Mafikeng Provincial hospital/Mpho Bilwane
By OBAKENG MAJE
Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla said discussions to open social, cultural and economic activities are underway. On 21 January 2022, Phaahla embarked on a site visit to the health facilities and vaccination sites in Mahikeng and Lichtenburg in the North West province.
“We are here to monitor the province’s Covid-19 vaccine roll-our programme and also to assess the provision of comprehensive health services during the pandemic. So, I have received a report from the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha and I can safely say the province has passed the 4th wave.
“I have also assessed some healthcare facilities, and even though there are some challenges, we will work hand-in-hand with the province to improve on that. Our aim is to continue to give support to our colleagues and re-activating the programme of vaccination roll-out,” he said.
He further said the government’s top priority was to fight against Covid-19 pandemic and ensure there is stability in terms of infection rates. Phaahla added that the president will address the nation when he is ready to announce some relaxations on lockdown regulations such as the opening of stadiums and other cultural activities.
“There is a positivity rate and all the factors including the admission at the hospitals. However, the fight against the pandemic is still on. The key to this is to ensure that we accelerate vaccination roll-out.
“We have learnt a good lesson for the last two years in terms of management. We are not saying that the pandemic will disappear, but a lot more social and economic activities can be opened,” said Phaahla.
He also urged people to refrain from spreading ‘fake news’ about vaccines. Phaahla said all vaccination programmes are backed-up by established programmes, processes of monitoring and evaluation of adverse effects after vaccination.
“We have medical experts ready to attend to any matter if somebody reports that they have adverse effects after vaccination. They get examined and if there is any scientific evidence that proves that the person experienced permanent damages after vaccination, that individual will be compensated.
He urged young people between the ages of 18 and 35 to continue to vaccinate as they have experienced a low rate. Phaahla also added that there are plans underway to re-build the Christiana Hospital that was gutted by fire last year.
“There are some challenges regarding shortage of healthcare facilities and Christiana is one of them. You know that the hospital was gutted by fire and there is technical work that is happening there.
“Our infrastructure personnel are on the ground and this includes Thusong Hospital near Lichtenburg where the area is dolomitic. Patients were forced to be relocated a few weeks ago due to the intense situation,” said Phaahla.
Meanwhile, Phaahla was quick to defend the government after the World Bank approved South Africa’s whopping R11.4 billion loan to boost economic recovery.
Some sections of the society questioned the loan and said all this money will not be used for intended purpose, but will be lost through corruption.
“On the issue of the IMF, the national treasury is doing everything to ensure that we have resources and are low interest loans. This will assist us in ensuring that our healthcare facilities are copying in terms of managing the pandemic.
“So, the money is put to good use and it has been a year now without any health worker complaining about the personal protective equipment.
Picture: A missing person, Johannes Monnanyana Mahusi/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The family of Johannes Monnanyana Mahusi (55) in Granspan village near Taung said they were devastated after he went missing. Mahusi was last seen on 6 January 2022 returning to Rustenburg where he works.
According to family member Thabang Magage, Mahusi allegedly called his wife while in Lichtenburg and indicated that he was at the garage buying food. Magage alleged that Mahusi also said he hitch-hiked a private vehicle with three male occupants inside.
“We would like to urge anyone who can assist us to locate our brother to come forward. He was last seen wearing a blue jean, purple shirt, black shoes and a hat. Anyone with information can contact me on 078 261 6098,” he said.
Meanwhile, North West police Col Adele Myburgh said: “The Phokeng Police request community assistance in locating Mahusi. Anyone with information that can assist police in finding Mahusi can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Johanna Masenya on Tel: 014-566 1700 / Cell: 073 8017 173.
“Alternatively, Crime Stop can be contacted on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS Application from your smartphone,” Myburgh said.
Picture: Eloise Elizabeth Shelley (18) who is North West top achiever /Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A learner from Hartbeespoort High School who is a top achiever in the North West, Eloise Elizabeth Shelley (18) said even though 2021 was a tough year, she is happy that she performed remarkably well.
Shelley obtained seven distinctions and scored 1709 marks in all subjects excluding Life Orientation and obtained beyond 90% in all her subjects.
“Through discipline, dedication and determination, nothing is impossible. Achieving great marks requires a good amount of planning. This was a very challenging year and there were many times where I doubted myself.
“However, I told myself to work harder. So, I came up with a strategic plan to schedule everything and I made sure that I stick to the plan. I made a promise to myself not to let any external factors impact my school work,” she said.
Shelley encouraged other learners who did not make it not to be dejected, but rather try again. She further said one should not be afraid of making mistakes, because mistakes are the best opportunities to learn.
“My cordial advice to them is simple. Please, never give up and they should know that failures are a great platform for success. They should not be afraid of making mistakes, but be afraid of making the same mistake twice.
“Planning ahead is always crucial, so to the current cohort, the earlier you prepare, the better. This will bring in improvement in your studies and they should also have a management diary because it will enable them to study smart,” said Shelly.
Shelly who is ‘spoiled for choices’ said she is planning to study medicine either at the University of Stellenbosch, University of Pretoria or University of Cape Town.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Kaobitsa Maape has thanked and applauded the Matric Class 2021 for assisting the province to improve the matric results and achieve 78.2% which represents an increase of 2% from the 76.2% in 2020.
“In 2018, the province improved to 81.1% and occupied position 4. So, in 2019, we obtained a pass rate of 86.8% and occupied the same position 4, then in 2020 we dropped to 76.2% and we were relegated to position 5 on the national ranking.
“So, in 2021, the province is back to position 4 with 78.2%. This performance is a reflection of the resilience of learners who had to adapt to new ways of learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic which affected their schooling program,” Maape said.
North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela who announced the Matric Final Examinations results at MM Sebitlwane Special School in Taung on Friday (21 January 2022) shared the same sentiments. Matsemela also applauded the learners for helping the province to improve the results after dropping their position in 2020.
“When we said we will bounce back after taking a knock in the 2020 matric result, many thought it was just rhetoric. Our commitment to rise again was inspired by the wisdom drawn from the words of our former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Maya Angelou’s poem ‘Still I Rise’. We have reclaimed our position and we are counted amongst the stars. We are extremely proud of the Class of 2021” said Matsemela.
Picture: North West Premier, Bushy Maape, MEC for Department of Education, Wendy Matsemela along with Top achievers/Supplied
By THEBEETSILE KEAMEDITSE
North West Premier, Bushy Kaobitsa Maape has thanked and applauded the Matric Class 2021 for assisting the province to improve the matric results after achieving 78,2% which represents an increase of 2% from the 76,2% in 2020.
Maape was addressing the North West Provincial Matric Results Announcement ceremony held at MM Sebitloane Special School in Taung.
The ceremony was also attended by top achieving learners and schools in the province, including the officials from the North West Department of Education.
In 2018, the province improved to 81.1% and occupied position 4, while obtained a pass rate of 86.8% in 2019 and occupied the same position.
“In 2020, the province dropped to 76.2% and relegated to position 5 on the national ranking. However, in 2021, the province is back to position 4 with 78,2%.
“The performance is a reflection of the resilience of learners who had to adapt to new ways of learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic which affected their schooling program,” he said.
Maape further said the Class of 2021 faced the stark realities of living side-by-side with the Coronavirus pandemic. He added that learners had to adapt and cope with the dictates of a pandemic that dramatically changed their conventional ways of doing things at home and at school.
“Despite all these, they rose above the challenges they faced and emerged victorious. We are proud of the character displayed by the Class of 2021,” said Maape.
North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela also applauded the learners for helping the province to improve the results after dropping their position in 2020.
Matsemela announced the best performing candidate for the North West Class of 2021, Eloise Elizabeth Shelley from Hartbeespoort High School.
Shelley obtained seven distinctions and scored 1709 marks in all subjects excluding Life Orientation and obtained beyond 90% in all her subjects.
“When we said we will bounce back after taking a knock in the 2020 matric result, many thought it was just rhetoric. Our commitment to rise again was inspired by the wisdom drawn from the words of our former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Maya Angelou’s poem ‘Still I Rise’.
“We have reclaimed our position and we are counted amongst the stars. We are extremely proud of the Class of 2021” she said.
Top Performing Schools based on the highest number of subject distinctions (Excluding Life Orientation), in ascending order.
In Position 3 is Potchefstroom Girls High with 186 subject distinctions, Position 2 – Wesvalia High School with 207 subject distinctions and Position 1 goes to Gimnasium High School with 214 subject distinctions.
Bojanala District is the top performing district with 81,6%, followed by Dr Kenneth Kaunda with 79,3%, Ngaka Modiri Molema 75,2 and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati with 72,9%.
Maape took the opportunity to announce that the province will be increasing the number of bursaries for the 2022 academic year.
“The Provincial Bursary Scheme is now known as Victor Thebe Sifora who is a struggle icon in the province, who education was very close to his heart.
“We will also increase the roll-out of learnerships and internships for those who will not succeed in securing the bursary. This will give them an opportunity to acquire the needed skills, lessen the high unemployment rate in the province and contribute to the economy” said Maape.
The family of Mathe from Maganeng village near Taung is looking for Tebogo Mathe who is missing. It is alleged that Mathe left his homestead on 2 January 2022 and never came back.
According to Mathe’s nephew, Rebaone Phoko, the missing man who is mentally-ill, was wearing a blue t-shirt, black trousers and Nike sneakers.
“Anyone who could know his whereabouts, please call me on 0710680805/ 0725506352. We will highly-appreciate your assistance,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh confirmed that a missing person case was opened at Pudimoe Police Station.
Picture: Vryburg Magistrate’s Court windows smashed
By BAKANG MOKOTO
A 35-YEAR-OLD man who was arrested for allegedly smashing the windows of the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on 9 January 2022 changed his mind. Sibongile Dube was charged with malicious damage to property and told the court that he will represent himself with intentions of pleading guilty.
However, in a turn of events, Dube who appeared in court recently, is now seeking the assistance of Legal Aid and told the court that he will no longer plead guilty to the charges.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The Vryburg Magistrate’s Court postponed Dube’s case to 25 January 2022 for Legal Aid representation.
“Dube told the court that he will no longer plead guilty to his alleged offense and he further requested a Legal Aid attorney. In his last appearance in court on 17 January 2022, he opted to represent himself then told the court that he intends to plead guilty for his offense.”
Mamothame said Dube alleged that his actions were driven by anger following a three months jail sentence he served for failing to appear in court on a separate offense in June 2020. He further said Dube also attributed his anger to a two year sentence he received in 2009 on an assault case.
“He alleged that he had a valid reason for not attending court, but was nonetheless sentenced. A security officer on duty on 9 January 2022 heard windows being smashed and upon investigation, saw the suspect running away from the scene.
“The security officer gave chase and caught Dube. The police were called and he was arrested. Dube was officially charged and will remain in custody until his next court appearance,” said Mamothame.
Picture: Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg/Morongwa News
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha lauded nurses and doctors at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg for successfully delivering quadruplets recently. Sambatha said during the wee hours of January 15, 2022, three boys and one girl were born.
“The mother of the quadruplets is from the Sewedi family in Monoto-Mosweu near Vryburg. Quadruplets are a set of four offspring born at one birth. An individual that is part of such a set is called a quadruplet and sometimes referred to as a quad.
“I want to congratulate both nurses and doctors who delivered the babies as well as the mother. The family is blessed with bundles of joy. Well done to our doctors and nurses for a successful operation that delivered the babies,” he said.
Sambatha further said most importantly, he wanted to congratulate the mother who gave birth to these quadruplets.
“We know that Ms Lettie Sewedi had been booked to attend the Antenatal care at Coleridge clinic and was later referred to JMM Hospital where a successful operation was undertaken by our well-experienced medical team.
“According to the experts, quadruplets are formed when a single fertilized egg splits into four different embryos (these are known as monozygotic quadruplets) and they are genetically identical quadruplets. Four eggs are then released and are each fertilized by a different sperm,” said Samabatha.
He added that all the quads came out weighing reasonably as anticipated by the team. Sambatha said of the four new-borns, three are boys (Quad 1, 2 and 4) and one is a girl
(Quad 3).
“Currently all the boys are being fed whilst the girl is receiving close monitoring on ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This is after the doctors discovered that she has apnoeic attacks and was given blood transfusion.
The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hospital, Portia Tlou applauded the nurses and doctors too. Tlou emphasised the long standing assignment of the department of impeccably delivering health services to all, at all times.
“Ours is only to serve our patients with distinctive love,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sewedi (39) who is a mother of nine children was ecstatic to have received the generous and professional service from JMMH. She further indicated that she cannot wait to go home and enjoy life with her new bundles of joy.
North West MEC for COGHSTA, Lenah Miga along with govt officials at Bloemhof Dam/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
Many residents across the North West province were affected by torrential rains recently. Now, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape has assembled a committee to deal with disaster inflicted by torrential rains.g
Residents in Kraaipan, Mareetsane and Madibogo villages near Mahikeng including Christiana and Bloemhof in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region were severely affected. Two bridges in Kraaipan were washed away, while one bridge was destroyed in Mareetsane and the other one was damaged due to rainfalls.
North West MEC for Cooperative, Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Lenah Miga visited the residents staying along the Bloemhof Dam on Wednesday.
Residents were forced to be evacuated from their business premises and private homes due to recent floods.
“We visited the area to assess the situation at the Bloemhof Dam after the residents had been warned early this week to evacuate the area in the wake of heavy rains. The dam is now filled to capacity and the sluice gates have been opened to release the water pressure which has now reached 2000 cubic meter per second.
“The disaster management team in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality is on high alert for any eventuality, and is working with sector departments in the district to assist where necessary,” she said.
Miga said the committee assembled by Maape comprises of MECs of Public Works and Roads, Education, Social Development, Health, Community Transport and Safety Management and Finance, including Mayors from Bojanala Platinum, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipalities.
The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi, told Newsnote that the municipality was working overtime to ensure everyone who is affected gets help.
Motlhabi said because the majority of farms around this municipality were sitting on the Vaal Dam, the Water and Sanitation department decided to open the sluice of up to 150% water average.
“As a result of that, those who are living next to the dam have been affected because their houses have been flooded. But as the municipality we have arranged transport to evacuate them so that they can get alternative accommodation.
“We are going to put systems in place to make sure that we assist our people,” Motlhabi said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said: “The department will continue to monitor all registered dam levels during this rainy season. As dam levels continue to rise, the department sternly warns the public to stay off the rivers and dams, even near the banks as most incidents occur during the wet and slippery season.
“As of 14 January 2022, the North West Provincial weekly levels have slightly decreased from 75.0% to 74.6%. Last year at this point, the provincial water storage recorded 64.5% water storage. Those that have improved are Buffelspoort from 100.7% to 100.8%; Lindsleypoort Dam from 38.6 % to 39.2% and Taung Dam from 98.6% to 99.2%,” Ratau said.
He added that Hartbeespoort has slightly decreased from 96.5% to 96.2%. Ratau said other dams remain unchanged and urged communities to continue to apply water conservation even amidst this rainy season.
