By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The community of Kolong village in Taung embarked on basic service delivery protest on Tuesday. They barricaded the R77m newly built Kolong Bridge that links Taung and Schweizer Reneke with tree branches and stones.

The community alleged that ward councillor, Paseka Sedupane continue to ignore them even though they wrote numerous letters to him for intervention.

Community leader, Lucas Modise said: “We demand developments and job opportunities in our area. There are lot of projects taking place in our ward, but Sedupane sideline us. There is a bush-cutting project, construction of Indoor Centre in Manthe village and a phase 2 pipeline project that is underway. No one is employed in all those projects.

“Sedupane never bothered to come to us and hold monthly meetings as stipulated by North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo. We have also written numerous letters of grievances to the Greater Taung local municipality speaker, Ebusang Tladi and the mayor, Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane for assistance. However, they also continue to ignore us too.”

However, Greater Taung local municipality speaker, Ebusang Tladi refuted the allegations. Tladi said he has the minutes to show that the ward councillor held a monthly meeting with the community.

“We understand that the community of Kolong prohibited people from other areas to come and work in their area during the construction of a dual Kolong Bridge recently. No one from other areas that fall under ward 14, was allowed to be employed in that project.

“It seems the community had that agreement that no one from outside will come and work there, hence other communities also deny them that opportunity to work in their areas. However, we will engage with all communities in ward 14 to resolve this matter.”

MEC for Community Safety and Transport Mangement department in North West, Dr Mpho Motlhabane condemned with strongest terms the barricading of roads and stoning of vehicles during protests. Motlhabane said they have noticed a number of incidents across the province where roads were being barricaded with burning tyres, stones and other objects, thus, obstructing the traffic flow especially on national roads.

“In recent weeks, the community of Gopane barricaded the N4 following the protests march on their dissatisfaction police response to a reported case of crime. The trend continued in other areas such as Ganyesa, where the community was also angry, following number of cases of murder and rape which were reported to the station,” he said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The community in Molelema village, near Taung rejected the offer tabled by North West MEC of Public Works and Roads department, Mmule Maluleke regarding construction of tar road on D208 and D209.

Maluleke addressed the community on Thursday after they embarked on a month long strike. They demand proper roads in their area.

One of community leaders, Mothibi Makoro said: “We are not happy about the 10km matter. They promised atleast 71km road construction, but now they have changed their tune. We will now engage with the community and discuss way forward.”

School children are prohibited to go to school. The Molelema Primary School and local community hall were torched. Foreign-owned shops were also looted during protests.

Tshepang Diseko who is a Grade 12 learner from Letlhogile Secondary School said: “We urge for tranquility in the area because the strike affects our education. It’s been a month without attending any classes and that is a concern. We are left behind and our end-of-the-year-results will be affected.”

Maluleke said: “The department does not have money and will only manage to construct 10km road. We have a budget of R268m for the whole province. The department is faced with budget constraint because the budget is allocated according to the population.

“North West province is predominantly rural, but the needs are huge. We understand that the community received a letter that informed them that it is part of budget. However, that letter was not signed by Head of Department (HoD).”

Maluleleke said the government official who handed over the letter to the community is currently on suspension. She said the construction of 10km road will started soon after the engagements between the department, municipality and the Tribal Authority.

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Picture: (Deceased: Motsamai Matlawe)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A popular poet from Magogong village, near Taung and his girlfriend will briefly appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court in connection of murder on Tuesday. The two are accused of stabbing Motsamai Matlawe (31) from Magogong village to death after a drinking spree.

Matlawe’s family member, Goitsemang Tselaekae said: “The atrocity took place at around 3am in Sunday morning. It is alleged that Motsamai was drinking beer with a female suspect at a local tavern. They left the tavern to the woman’s house afterward.

“The stains of blood was found on the curtain at the house and also on a broken window. It seems the couple killed Motsamai and dragged his lifeless body to the street.”

Tselaekae also said they suspect that the couple drank Motsamai’s blood as there was a glass soaked with blood inside in the house.

“Those who were arrested will never ever find inner peace. They must not be released because we will kill and burn them. This is satanic deeds and we want answers. Motsamai was a hawker who tried to make a living by selling tomatoes and potatoes in Hartwater,” she said.

North West police spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Moleko said: “A case of murder has been registered at Taung Police Station. Two suspects aged 39 and 30 will appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

“The motive behind the killing is unknown and the deceased sustained a stabbing wound. He was found in a pool of blood in the street. Police investigations are underway.”

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Picture: Bongani Letlhogile who was shot dead by suspects

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Two suspects set to appear at Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The suspects aged 24 and 30 were arrested in the early hours of Monday for two counts of murder, four of attempted murder, car-hijacking, business robbery, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, kidnapping and rape.

North West police spokesperson, Lit Colonel Amanda Funani said: “The suspects’ apprehension stems from an incident in which they allegedly shot and killed Bobgani Letlhogile (42) and his friend, Edwin Chichindua (47) in Ganyesa village outside Vryburg on Sunday.”Subsequent to the incident, the police found two men with gun wounds and a seriously injured woman after rapidly responding to information about a shooting incident that occurred along the Ganyesa main road.”

“Subsequent to the incident, the police found two men with gun wounds and a seriously injured woman after rapidly responding to information about a shooting incident that occurred along the Ganyesa main road.”

Funani further said it is alleged that a group of women were from a local tavern when the suspects tried to rob them. She added that the women screamed for help and Letlhogile and Chichindua allegedly saw what was happening and drove back to assist them.

“They were allegedly shot at by the suspects and collided with a fence. The two deceased were later found dead inside their vehicle while one of the women was seriously injured. The suspects allegedly kidnapped one of the women aged 23 and fled the scene.”The woman was allegedly raped by one of the suspects.

Picture: Edwin Chichindua who was killed by suspects

“The woman was allegedly raped by one of the suspects. The police blocked Vryburg-Ganyesa and Swartfontein-Vryburg roads. The suspects were arrested and found to be in possession of a firearm and ammunition,” she said.

Funani said the preliminary investigation revealed that the pair is linked with cases business robbery and attempted murder they allegedly committed in Morokweng. She added that the suspects are linked with a car-hijacking and attempted murder cases that were reported in Mooinooi on Friday.

“They are expected to appear in the Ganyesa Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday,” Funani said.

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Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela-Mandela‚ a stalwart in the fight against apartheid‚ has died at the age of 81.

Her PA‚ Zodwa Zwane‚ confirmed the struggle veteran’s death on Monday afternoon. She said the family would issue a statement later in the day.

Born in Bizana in the Eastern Cape in 1936‚ she moved to Johannesburg to study social work after matriculating.

She met lawyer and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in 1957 and they were married a year later. They had two children together.

However‚ her marriage life with Mandela was short-lived‚ as he was arrested in 1963 and sentenced to life imprisonment for treason. Mandela was eventually released in 1990.

During Mandela’s time in prison‚ Madikizela-Mandela was not spared the reach of the apartheid forces. She was placed under house arrest and at one time banished to Brandfort‚ a town in the Free State.

In 1969‚ Madikizela-Mandela became one of the first detainees under Section 6 of the notorious Terrorism Act of 1967. She was detained for 18 months in solitary confinement in a condemned cell at Pretoria Central Prison before being charged under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1950.

Controversy

In 1991‚ she was convicted of kidnapping and being an accessory to assault of Stompie Seipei‚ a young activist who was killed by a member of her bodyguards‚ the Mandela United Football Club.

Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 16 year-old model from Buxton village, in Taung was over the moon after she was crowned Miss Face of Taung. Lapologang Kole said she felt in love with modeling since her tender age.

“I am grateful after being crowned as inaugural Miss Face of Taung. This shows that indeed hard work pays dividends. This is my first crown since I embarked in modelling. I want to see myself as one of the best models ever came out of North West province.

“I am doing Grade 12 at Gabobodiwe Secondary School in Buxton and aim to continue with my career after my matric. It is not easy to become a model, but through discipline, dedication and determination I believe I can breakthrough into the mainstream and make a name for myself,” Kole said.

She also encouraged those who desire to become models not to give up in their career. Kole added that she has participated in charitable duties to assist those who are less fortunate.

“I love to assist those who are in need. I always thrive to see the lives of many people changing for the better. I also believe that, if we can all work together, the world will be a better place. “I would like to urge my fellow Grade 12 learners to take their studies very serious too. Education is the key to success and without knowledge, we are doomed,” Kole said.

“I would like to urge my fellow Grade 12 learners to take their studies very serious too. Education is the key to success and without knowledge, we are doomed,” Kole said.

The Face of Taung organiser, Nametso Lobakeng (20) said she was happy with the attendance. Lobakeng further said she organised this initiative to assist emerging models.

“I organised this event to create a platform for aspiring models. We all know that Taung is predominantly rural and the opportunities are not enough for those who want to become models. This will be an annual event and I want to see it grow.

“So, we encourage young aspiring models to enter the competition. People can make a career out of modeling. Most people believe that modeling is all about being photogenic and enjoy posing for photos,” she said.

Lobakeng said she is a model herself and studies Communication Science at Unisa. She further said modeling is a common industry, but not an easy field to break into.

“If you want to become a model, you need to be focused, persistent, and hardworking to make it through,” Lobakeng said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Meanwhile

When actor Raphael Griffiths joined Muvhango as Vusi Mukwevho eight years ago‚ he was greeted by a lot of hate for his “lack of acting skills‚” but he has picked himself up to earn his stripes in the industry since then.

The actor burst into the spotlight in 2009 as a presenter on SABC 2’s youth programme Q-base 28‚ and bagged a role on Muvhangostraight after.

“When I started presenting‚ I knew for sure I could do it. But when I got into acting‚ I was not an actor and only after stepping into it I realised‚ ‘man‚ you actually suck at this.’ I also got a lot of people just brutalising me‚ everywhere even on social media and I thought‚ ‘yoh‚ maybe I should quit.”

Raphael said there was a time he got help from three acting coaches at once because he was not willing to accept that he was a bad actor.

He said he found mentors such as his on-screen mother Thandaza (Sindi Dlathu)‚ started reading more books and watched endless hours of online master classes.