5 February 2025- The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) said it wishes to caution members of the public and the general populace about fake resignation letters that have been attributed to the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and some Members of the Executive Council (MECs).
Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said: “The provincial government wishes to advise the public to ignore these letters as they are nothing, but an attempt by some unscrupulous individuals to cause panic and instability in the day-to-day running of government.
“The Executive Council as led by Mokgosi, continues to execute its Programme of Action as guided by the 2024/25 policy statement as well as the government’s Medium Term Development Plan.”
Setshwantsho: Mokwadi wa dibuka o diphatsa, Kgotlhaetsile Mokabeng
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
5 Tlhakole 2025- Mokwadi wa dibuka tsa Setswana o diphatsa, Kgosietsile Mokabeng, wa kwa motseng wa Khibicwane, gaufi le Taung, o rotloetse batho go bala dibuka, mme segolo thata jang basha. Mokabeng are go bala dibuka go matlafatsa tlhaloganyo le kitso ya motho, mme gape e mo rute le go buisa mafoko sentle.
Mokabeng are basha ba le ba ntsi ba dirisa nako ya bone botlhatswa ka go tlhola ba le mo metsweding ya boitapoloso e farologaneng. Are fela seo, ga se ba thuse ka gope fa ba sa dirise metswedi eo sentle jaaka go bala dibuka.
Mokabeng yo o golotseng buka e e bidiwang Ke Tsa Botshelo sesheng jaana, are go bala dibuka go ruta motho go nna le dikakanyo tse di farologaneng tsa botshelo, ga mmogo le go leba botshelo ka mokgwa o farologaneng.
“Ke sa tswa go ntsha buka ya boraro e eleng gore ke padi. Padi e, e rotloetsa basha gore thuto e botlhokwa. Thuto ke yone fela e e tla ba thusang go fetola matshelo a bone.
“Jaaka mokwadi, ke dirisitse mosha, mme ka mo tsenya mo tlase ga dikgwetlo tsotlhe tsa botshelo. Ke ile ka mo isa kwa unibesithi, mme go boa kwa, a tla go tsaya karolo a nna le seabe mo phetolong ya matshelo a bao a tshelang le bone,” Mokabeng wa tlhalosa.
Mokabeng are le lerato la botsadi leo leleng teng, le shupa fa tshegetso ya botsadi le yone e tsaya karolo e tona thata gore mosha o, a tsoge a fitlheletse tseo a di batlang. Mokabeng are leina la buka Ke Tsa Botshelo, mme e raya gore dikgang tse, ke tsa botshelo tse eleng gore ba tshwanetse ba emelana le tsone.
“Sengwe le sengwe se se diragalang mo botshelong jwa gago, se direga ka lebaka. Sa gago ke gore o tshwanetse go nna le maatla a gore o fenya jang dikgwetlo tse o kopanang le tsone. Dikgwetlho tse di a go ago, di a go tiisa gore o kgone o fithelele ko o batlang teng.
“Fa o batla buka e, o tla e iponela yone fela ka R100. Botlhe ba ba e batlang, ba ka golagana le nna kwa bukeng ya sefatlhego eleng Facebook. Ba ka golagana le nna mo kabeng ya Kgotlaetsile Mokabeng, kgotsa go nteletsa mogala,” Mokabeng wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The HRD Officer, Abednigo Nako at Taung District Hospital
By OBAKENG MAJE
5 February 2025- The embattled Taung District Hospital employee, Abednigo Nako, is accused of demanding bribes from individuals who are part of an internship at the hospital. Nako, who is Human Resources Development Officer and responsible for the recruitment process, allegedly demanded R1000 bribe each from 60 individuals who were recruited for the internship.
Some of the individuals who are part of the internship said, they are apprehensive to alert the hospital management because they might be victimised. They alleged that Nako would come and harass them in demand of the money.
One of the alleged victims, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We are seriously concerned regarding Nako’s behaviour. We fail to understand why he would abuse his power in this manner. We do not get enough out of this internship, but here he is demanding R1000 from each of us every month.
“We urge the hospital to probe the matter and ensure that it addresses it. This is an ethics problem and corruption at its best. Now, we are living in fear because if we refuse to give in, he threatens to take the internship away.”
The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Lucas Mothibedi said even though they have not received any formal complaint regarding allegations, they are in the process of verifying them. Mothibedi said the department would not hesitate in dealing with criminally-minded public servants, irrespective of their stature.
“No formal complaint has been lodged yet. However, we encourage anyone affected to come forward. In the main, a directive has been given to hospital management to look into this matter immediately and provide a report.
“The department shall have a clear stance backed by empirical evidence to move this matter forward. Important to say, we remain committed to run a clean department and allegations as serious as this one are attended to and acted upon,” he said.
Meanwhile, HOSPERSA Branch Secretary in Taung, Morethebe Maruping said they have not received any complaint yet, but if the allegations are true, then the hospital should launch a fully-blown investigation and take harsher punishment against the said individual if found guilty. Maruping said they do not promote misconduct, which in essence is equal to corruption.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By OBAKENG MAJE
5 February 2025- The implementation of Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) pilot programme for Grade 4 across North West was supposed to be smooth sailing, however, it seems there are still more challenges to be addressed. According to some of the principals across various schools in the province, the programme has been marred with challenges.
One of the principals said: “We understand that the North West Department of Education wants to bring changes into the sector, however, I believe this was premature. The educators who were supposed to teach learners in various official languages, especially Setswana, are yet to be given necessary training.
“We have not yet received text books in indigenous languages for various subjects such as Mathematics, Life Skills, Natural Science and Technology. It was suicidal for the department to roll-out the programme without concept development, advocacy and proper translation.”
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said, the department, through its Transformation Programme Branch, has put together a MTbBE programme to transform the landscape of education from the General Education and Training (GET) to the Further Education and Training (FET) bands. Molokwane said the department is implementing MTbBE in 650 schools out of 1131.
“Advocacies were done in 2024, in all districts and participants were subject advisors, principals and teachers who are expected to teach NSTECH and Mathematics Grade 4 in 2025.
“All relevant documents provided to districts for dispatch to schools such as electronic copies of both NSTECH and Mathematics ATP, Worksheets and workbooks,” he said.
Molokwane further said there is a plan to train the concerned teachers on teaching the said subjects in African languages and the course is ETDP SETA compliant. He added that the teachers are excited to implement as they indicate that it is going to improve learner performance.
“Learners perform better when taught in their mother tongue even systemic evaluation and research proves that. Learners also receive it in good spirit as it will be a continuation of what they did in the foundation phase.
“It is just a continuation of the language already used. Various schools that are part of the pilot project have enough support. They were all taken through during the advocacies conducted and Professional Support Forums conducted. Teachers are provided with relevant documentation and there was a meet and greet interaction session conducted on 28 January 2025,” said Molokwane.
4 February 2025- A 58-YEAR-OLD man was arrested by the members of Mahikeng Public Order Police (POP) for possession of suspected stolen livestock on Friday. The police were on routine patrol duties along the N18 (Vryburg / Mahikeng) road when they noticed a white Toyota Hilux bakkie with a canopy near a filling station in Montshioastad.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said ultimately, the police stopped the vehicle for a search that led to the discovery of 18 goats. Mokgwabone said the driver, who was alone in the car, was arrested after failing to give a proper account of the goats worth R27 000.
“Tshokolo Kolobe was remanded in custody upon appearance before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on 3 February 2025. Kolobe is due to re-appear on 10 February 2025, for bail application. Investigation into the matter continues,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, praised the police for their vigilance, which led to the success.
4 February 2025- A man (41) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Molopo Regional Court for rape. The accused, Thapelo Malekutu raped his ex-girlfriend.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said Malekutu was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for sexual assault, two years imprisonment for assault with Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and two years imprisonment for kidnapping. Gunya said the court ordered that, all sentences should run concurrently with the life sentence for rape in terms of Section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
“The charge stems from a tragic incident that occurred in Verdwaal near Itsoseng. Evidence presented in court revealed that Malekutu is an ex-boyfriend of the victim, who cannot be named to protect her identity.
“It is alleged that on 12 October 2022, the accused went to the home of the victim. Upon his arrival, he forcefully took the victim to his place, while assaulting her until they arrived at the accused place around 7pm, in the evening,” he said.
Gunya further said at his home, he raped the victim multiple times while assaulting her with the panga and fists. He added that, the complainant tried to flee but the accused prevented her until the next day when she was let free or released by the accused.
“The following day, the complainant reported the incident, and the accused was arrested and has been in custody since. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied all charges against him,” said Gunya.
During sentencing, state prosecutor, advocate Oduetse Gwai, argued that the accused raped the complainant numerous times and inflicted injuries on the complainant thus life imprisonment was prescribed by the Act. Gwai emphasized the gravity and prevalence of rape in his arguments for sentencing.
“Malekutu’s actions constituted a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and safety, resulting in brutal violence and lasting trauma,” he said.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ndade Maphango, acknowledged the aggravating circumstances of the case. Maphango ruled that the accused showed no remorse and targeted the vulnerable person being a woman.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the sentence and lauded the prosecutor, investigating officer and other role players who ensured that justice was served to the victims. Makhari said this will serve as a deterrent to the perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in this country.
4 February 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, has called for in-depth investigations into the cause of a fire that broke out at the North West Transport Investment (NTI). The fire, which was discovered in the early hours of Monday morning at a sleeping ground in Moretele village, destroyed nine buses at a go.
Morweng said NTI management have opened a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and further investigations will determine the circumstances around the cause of the fire as well as the extent of the damage. He also expressed dismay at the unfortunate turn of events at the entity.
“We have recently turned a new leaf with our intervention at the entity by addressing the leadership instability experienced for some time now. We have also ensured that employees received their salaries as promised.
“Therefore, we believe that we have made great effort to assist the entity in realising its full potential. This, however, is a set back and overall unfortunate incident,” said Morweng.
He added that, at this point it is unclear whether this was an accident or an act of sabotage, and therefore they make a call to the authorities to deal with the matter decisively. Morweng said the NTI Acting Group CEO, Dr Dikobe and management at the entity has plans in place to limit the impact of services rendered to commuters in and around the Moretele.
“At the same time, the department as a shareholder in the company, will continue to play a supportive role in order to ensure that service delivery is not compromised and that commuters are not left stranded,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Convenor of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in North West, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said: “The MRM expressed concern regarding the blaze. The civil society led movement promoting the Charter of Positive Values (CoPV), suggested that the incident that took place could be an atrocious and despicable act of economic sabotage.
“It cannot be a coincidence that we are losing valuable assets and infrastructure across the province to fires. We therefore call on law enforcement agencies not to leave any stone unturned until those responsible are behind bars.”
Setshwantsho-papiso: Lesea le bonwe le latlhetswe kwa matlakaleng
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
4 Tlhakole 2025- Sepodisi kwa Vryburg se tlhalositse fa se butse kgetsi ya go latlhiwa ga lesea. Se, se tla morago ga gore lesea le eleng gone le bonwang le fitlhelwe le latlhetswe mo matlakaleng kwa mmileng wa Market mo letsatsing la maabane kwa Vryburg.
Sepodisi se bega fa se ne sa amogela mogala go tswa go tlhoka-ina, mme a ba lotlegela fa gona le lesea le le latlhetsweng mo matlakaleng.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are: “Ka maswabi, lesea leo le fitlhetswe le tlhokafetse. Sepodisi se buloditse dipatlisiso go ka leka go batlana le mong wa ditiro tse di maswe tse.”
Kgabagare, ditheo tse eseng tsa puso di ikuela go bomme ba ba sa batleng masea a bone morago ga pelego, go ba isa kwa ditheo tse di farologaneng go na le go ba latlha kgotsa go ba bolaya.
Mokaedi kwa Setheo sa #KeReady Youth Movement, Doctor Sivuyisiwe Jekwa, o boleleletse ba YFM gore, mongwe le mongwe o a ka iphitlhelang a le mo tsietsing ya go bona lesea, mme a sa le batle morago ga pelego, a ka mo isa kwa ditheo tse di farologaneng tsa puso.
“Fa o ka iphitlhela o imile, mme wa lemoga gore ga o batle lesea leo, go mosola go ntsha mpa fa go ima ga gago go sentse go le go sha, kgotsa isa lesea leo kwa ditheo tse di farologaneng tsa puso morago ga pelego.
“Kgang ya masea a latlhiwang mo Afrika Borwa ke tlhoba-boroko. Go begwa fa masea a feta 250 a latlhilwe ngwaga-tlola. Go ya ka Lefapha La Katlatlelo-Loago, ditiragalo tsa go latlhiwa ga masea di etlegetse thata kwa diporofenseng tsa Kwazulu-Natal, Free State, ga mmogo le Western Cape,” Jekwa wa tlhalosa.
Fela go ya ka setheo se se thusang ka go phutha masea a latlhilweng sa Door of Hope Children Mission, se tlhalositse fa masea a feta 3500 a latlhiwa ngwaga le ngwaga mo Afrika Borwa. Setheo se, se tlhalositse fa go lesea lengwe le lengwe le le fitlhelwang le latlhilwe, a le mabedi a ona a fitlhelwa a tlhokafetse.
Go ya ka dipatlisiso go tswa kwa National Library of Medicines, di shupa fa 35% ya makgarebe a imileng a magareng ga dingwaga di le 15 le 19, kwa Sub-Saharan Africa, ba ne ba sa ikemisetsa go ima. Dipatlisiso gape di shupa fa meroba eo, ene e se mo dikamanong tsa marato tse di tsepameng.
Go ya ka dipatlisiso, bontlha-bongwe jwa meroba e, ba feleletsa ba ntshitse dimpa ka mokgwa o o seng mo molaong, fa bontlha-bongwe ba feleletsa ba nnile le masea ao.
4 February 2025- A man (42) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for rape. The convict, Molaodi Michael Manone was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Barkley West Regional Court for raping a woman (19) on 14 July 2019. The security officer who was on duty at the Professor ZK Mathews Hospital in Barkley West, caught two patients engaging in sexual acts in one of the hospital toilets and reported them to the nursing staff.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said it was then established that the Manone, who was admitted in the hospital for a stab wound took advantage of a patient with a mental disability and raped her. Sam said due to the victim’s mental and psychological state, the case had to be postponed several times to assess her mental state of being able to give testimony in the trial.
“After several consultations, the victim could ultimately testify and the court found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment for rape and instructed that his name be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Tanya Serfontein in collaboration with the Mental Health institution for the thorough investigative work of ensuring that justice is served for the victim.
Picture: The police seized drugs and SANDF uniform/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
4 February 2025- The police in Northern Cape said Operation Shanela remains steadfast in its objective to reduce contact and violent crimes, as well as all other categories of crime. The weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation which commenced on 27 January 2025 until 2 February 2025, executed in the five districts, resulted in the arrest of 256 suspects and the confiscation of numerous items.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said actions and police activities executed during the operations included vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling. Sam said several vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which a total of 5226 vehicles and 13 155 persons were stopped and searched.
“Numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, as well as farms were executed. Operational successes achieved, included the arrest of 255 suspects for murder, attempted murder, assault, burglary and illegal dealing in liquor.
“This includes malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol, robbery, rape, possession of dangerous weapons, dealing in and possession of drugs, stock theft and other crimes,” he said.
Sam further said the police in their endeavour with communities, managed to raid and confiscate illegal drugs valued at more than R120 000 and intercepted a maroon/red Renault Clio with stolen copper cables and military uniform. He added that they have made arrests and seized drugs valued at more than R700 000 in Springbok.
“We have also arrested a hitch-hiker who jumped off a truck in Strydenburg with a bag filled with dagga. The police also intercepted a stolen vehicle in Danielskuil that was stolen in Batlharos in the JTG District.
“Dangerous weapons were confiscated by several crime fighting patrollers, including the Galaletsang Section patrollers in Mothibistad. The detectives and crime intelligence tracing operations, traced and brought to book suspects that are on the police wanted list for evading court appearances and or contravention of court orders,” said Sam.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for the collective efforts and actions executed during this period. Otola indicated that police will continue with their operations in stamping the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all people living in the Northern Cape.
The Guardian 