North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane interdict community members who shut down dept offices in protest  

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Picture: The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane

By OBAKENG MAJE

17 November 2024- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said they condemn criminal acts and lawlessness that took place at the department’s Head Office in Mahikeng on 13 and 15 November 2024.

This comes after community members allegedly stormed into the departmental offices and removed employees in a ‘demand’ of tenders. This allegedly forced the department to seek court order against these individuals.

According to the court order dated 15 November 2024, that Taung DailyNews has seen, Lenkopane has placed an interdict against Lawrence Lenyora, Mxolisi Maqoboza, Mogomotsi Moshoeshoe, George Seoposengwe and Ofentse Khumalo or any employee of the applicant, who associate themselves with the unlawful conduct of the first to sixth respondents.

This includes any other individual or workers’ union who associate themselves with the unlawful conduct of the seventh respondents.

The North West High Court in Mmabatho, Judge Justice Djadje, who listened and ruled on the matter, ordered that the ordinary rules pertaining to form, service and notice be dispensed with and that this matter be heard as one of the urgency in terms of Rule 6 (12) of Uniform Rules of Court. Djaje said a rule nisi be issued calling upon the respondents to furbish reasons, if any on 8 May 2025 at 10am or soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, as why the relief should not be made.

“The first to eight respondents are interdicted to block and/ or spoliate and / or restrict access to the applicant ‘s offices located at NWDC Building, CNR University and Provident Streets, Mmabatho to the applicant or any of the applicant’s employees, or any other person who intends to enter the aforesaid building for any lawful purpose.

“Not to forcefully, or by acts of intimidation, remove employees of the applicant from Provident House, and not to in any other fashion interfere with the execution of their duties. To immediately place the applicant in repossession of Provident House,” she said.

Djaje further said the respondents should also not to, in any fashion, intimidate, insult or assault any employees of the applicant, or any other person who visits Provident House for any lawful purpose. She added that they should also not interfere with the operations of the applicant in Provident House.

“To immediately cease the unprotected and unlawful strike and/or go-slow in which the first to eight respondents currently participate. Not to conduct any acts which are in contravention with the law, including, but not limited to, causing disruptions, or damage to the applicant’s offices.

“Not to be in radius of 200m from the applicant’s offices with intention to contravene the terms of this order. Should there not be strict compliance to this order, the ninth and tenth respondents are ordered to maintain law and order,” said Djaje.

Lenkopane said in a statement, the mandate of DEDECET as a department, is to create a suitable environment for the economy of the province to develop and grow. She said investment attraction and facilitation is at the core of DEDECT’s mandate.

“We urge all members of the public including recognized labour unions in the department to engage before resorting to unprotected strikes that are outside the framework of the Labour Laws, the Labour Relations Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” said Lenkopane.

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A man sentenced to 23 years for murder, malicious damage to property and arson

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By REGINALD KANYANE

17 November 2024– A man (45) was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment by the Mogwase Regional Court for murder, malicious damage to property and arson. In the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 17 August 2023, Elias Phure Mosime went to a house in Bapong 2 village, near Mabeskraal, where he searched for his ex-girlfriend.

The house also has a tuck shop attached to it. The convict set the shop and nearby structure on fire, whilst his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend fled from the structure.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said neighbours called the owner of the shop and informed her that her shop was on fire. Myburgh said the neighbour also called another employee, Zanele Mvelase (50), who is living nearby to assess the situation.

“On arrival at the tuck shop, Mvelase saw Mosime and pelted him with stones. Mosime approached Mvelase and stabbed him multiple times to death. He was declared dead on the scene by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS).

“In a short-while, the owner of the tuckshop arrived at the scene in her Toyota Fortuner. Mosime confronted her, whilst she was sitting inside the vehicle. She managed to jump out of the vehicle and fled,’ she said.  Myburgh further said Mosime then broke all the windows of the vehicle and also set it alight. She added that the police were called to the scene and arrested him. Mosime.

“Mosime was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for murder, 3 years for malicious damage to property and 5 years for arson. The sentences on count 2 and 3, will run concurrently with count 1.

“Mosime was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearm Control Act, Act 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, applauded the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Gaabocwe Thomas Molapong of Mabeskraal Detectives and the state prosecutor, for their collaboration and diligence to ensure that the convict was put behind bars.

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Nine suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Vala Umgodi

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Picture: Some of the suspects arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

16 November 2024- Nine suspects aged between 20 and 42, were arrested for contravention of Immigration Laws and illegal mining separately during Operation Vala Umgodi in Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts respectively.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said during the execution of stop and search actions and disruptive actions in illicit mining hot spots, the proactive and combat teams arrested seven men aged 20 and 42, for contravention of Immigration Laws.

Pilane said a man (35) was caught and arrested for allegedly mining illegally near the R31 road in Kimberley on 12 November 2024.

“On 15 November 2024, the police were conducting compliance inspections at mining site in the Kimberley area during a joint operation in conjunction with the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality security officers.

“During inspections, it was discovered that there was an illegal water connection from the municipal main line. Intelligence driven information regarding illegal selling of drugs at a flat in New Park was also operationalised successfully,” she said.

Pilane further said a significant amount of dagga with an estimated value of R7000, as well as money believed to be the proceeds of crime, were confiscated and the suspect was subsequently arrested. She added that Operation Vala Umgodi will continue to prevent and combat illicit mining and related criminal activities in the province.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any criminal activities through the MySAPS app or the crime stop number 08600 10111. The police will continue to clamp down and squeeze the operating space for illegal mining and other criminal activities taking place in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts,” said Pilane.

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Hospital congratulated after conducting Off Pump Coronary Artery Graft on two patients

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Picture: The team of doctors that performed successfully conducting an Off Pump Coronary Artery Graft/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

16 November 2024- North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has congratulated staff and management at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex for successfully conducting an Off Pump Coronary Artery Graft (Off Pump GABG), on two patients this week. Lehari said the procedures were the first to be conducted in the province, both in a private and a public facility.

He further said the procedures were conducted in collaboration with a specialist from India and his team as well as specialists from the Wits/Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Lehari added that one patient underwent surgery on 11 November 2024, while the second patient’s procedure was carried out on 12 November 2024.

“We visited the patients and I was in awe of the work done by the medical professionals, during the two procedures. The North West province must be ready to be inundated with requests for more innovative sessions such as these.

“This confirms the delivery of quality services, and changes in people’s lives that I referred to upon arrival at the department. I have expressed my encouragement to work with the private sector and external stakeholders and this is the perfect example of how such partnership can bear fruit,” he said.

Lehari, congratulated the entire team of experts that was part of this life changing surgery, and completed it without hindrances.

“I implore them to continue to make a difference in people’s lives in such magnitude strides. We look forward to putting our province on the map with quality healthcare services, and showing members of the public that their lives are in capable hands,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Tshepong/Klerksdorp Complex Hospital CEO, Thulane Madonsela, said normally when an open heart surgery is done, the heart is stopped from pumping blood out. Madonsela said the heart lung machine is used as a temporary heart, while the blocked artery is by-passed.

“However, this type of operation is done while the heart is still pumping blood hence it is called an Off Pump Coronary Artery By-pass Graft. Dr Vettath has to-date performed over 5000 such operations across the world.

“He was assisted by Dr Taunyane who is originally from Jouberton Township, in Klerksdorp. The two patients are stable and undergoing a post operation recovery process in the complex’s Intensive Care Unit,” he said.

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Monna o tshwerwe morago ga go latofadiwa ka go bolaya rragwe, mmagwe ga mmogo le kgaitsadie kwa Shaleng

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Setshwantsho: Mongwe wa baswi, Bonolo Kale

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

16 Ngwanatsele 2024- Monna wa dingwaga di le 33 wa kwa motseng wa Shaleng, gaufi le Taung, o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa Kgotlha-tshekelong ya Kgomotso ka Mosupulogo. Se se tla morago ga go latofadiwa ka go bolaya rragwe, Mosimanegape Kale (74), mmagwe eleng Phodisho Kale (68), ga mmogo le kgaitsadie, Bonolo Kale (26).

Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a tsena kwa mokhukhung wa kwa gagabo, mme a fitlhela ba lelapa la gagwe ba itisitse ka mogodungwana. Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a ba tlhasela ka molamu.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adele Myburgh are: “Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a ngata ba lelapa la gagwe ka molamu mo ditlhogong, mme a sia kwa lefelong la tiragalo. Tiragalo e, ke ya maabane bosigo.

“Maloko a lelapa a le mararo, a ile a netefadiwa fa a tlhokafetse ke ba ditirelo tsa tshoganyetso. Bangwe ba baagi ba ile ba tswa letsholo le go batlana le mmelaelwa. Monna o, o ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi mo mosong jaana, mme o solofetswe go ka shadikanya matlho kwa Kgotlha-tshekelo ya Kgomotso ka Mosupulogo.”

Myburgh are dikgetsi di le tharo tsa polao di butswe kgatlhanong le mmelaelwa, mme sebakwa sa tiro e, ga se se itsiwe. Myburgh are dipatlisiso mo tiragalong e, di tsweletse.

Modula-setilo wa setlamo sa Sino Themba se eseng sa puso, mme se dira ka ditshotlakako kgatlhanong le bong, Golekane Morwe are tiragalo e, e amile maikutlo a baagi. Morwe are ba ikuela go batho botlhe go ka lwa kgatlhanong le ditshotlakako tsa bong.

“Re ka netefasa fa tiragalo e, e tlogetse baagi ba gamaregile, ebile ba ipotsa gore sebakwa sa bosetlhogo jo bo kana-kana ke jwa eng. Re ikuela gore re le baagi, re eme ka dinao, mme re lwe kgatlhanong le ditiragalo tse,” Morwe wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, kemedi go tswa kwa masepaleng o mogolwane wa Taung, e solofetswe go ka etela lelapa ka Mosupulogo.

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Morweng chairs Stilfontein rescue team    

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng during a meeting/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

16 November 2024- North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, hit the ground running by convening a meeting with relevant stakeholders that forms part of the rescue team established by the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. This comes after Mchunu appointed Morweng to chair the rescue team, which is to be responsible for developing a comprehensive rescue plan to assist in bringing the illegal miners to the surface.

On Friday, Mchunu, Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, Morweng embarked on an oversight visit to the Stilfontein shaft, where more than 1000 illegal miners have been rescued. In the meeting, Morweng requested the mine owners and rescue specialists to work on conducting the assessment, which will inform the operational plan to rescue those underground.

“We all agree that we want to rescue those people and we need the community to come on board for us to succeed in this operation. The mine owners indicated that there is a need to clear the site before any resource can be deployed on site, which they committed to implement immediately when the community members have vacated the area.

“We then made a plea to the community leaders who are part of the rescue team to start communicating with the members on site about the intentions of the government and those underground if they are able to. We need to allow the technical rescue team to make the proper risk assessment that will inform this operational plan,” he said.

Morweng further said their common ground here is to rescue those people. He added that the earlier they talk to community members on site and allow the mine owners and technical rescue team to clear the site and deploy relevant machinery to do the risk assessment, the better.

“They need to start to operationalise the plan. The rescue team led by me, composed of SAPS, District Mayor and Local Mayor, community leaders, mine owners, mine rescue technical team and government departments,” said Morweng.

Meanwhile, there was allegedly an impasse between government departments in terms of who would foot the bill as the rescue team demanded answers before they could commence with their duty.  

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Swashbuckling Bafana return home after putting on a show in Uganda

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Picture: The Bafana Bafana players against Uganda

By REGINALD KANYANE

16 November 2024 – Swashbuckling Bafana Bafana put on a show as they waltzed past Uganda in mesmerizing fashion on a sweltering afternoon at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Friday. It was supposed to be the crowning moment for the home team after a satisfying Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, but coach Hugo Broos and his charges must have missed those pages on the script as they beat their hosts 2-0 during an enthralling 90 minutes of football.

Second half goals from super substitutes, Thapelo Morena (49th minute) and Patrick Maswanganyi on the stroke of full time, silenced the capacity 45 000-strong crowd, propelling the visitors to the top of Group K for the first time during the campaign.

Bafana Bafana and Uganda had already qualified for next year’s AFCON on Thursday after South Sudan beat Congo 3-2 in another Group K qualifier, but this detail did not deter Broos and his players from continuing to pursue the hosts as if this was the first match of the

campaign. Broos said they would not take the foot off the pedal as they now turn their attention to Tuesday’s final AFCON qualifier against South Sudan in Cape Town.

“We came here to win, we came here to be first in the group, and we are now first in the group. We will try to also win the game against South Sudan on Tuesday, and stay at the top of the group,” he said.

Uganda coach Paul Put conceded that Morena’s goal knocked the wind out of his team, and they never recovered after that 49th minute strike. The straight-talking coach said his team would need to recover very quickly and erase the disappointment when they face Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday.

“We have three days and then we face Congo, so I hope that we can give our people a good result because I am really ashamed of this performance today,” he said.

As Bafana Bafana prepare to return home today, they are perched at the top of Group K with 11 points, and long-time leaders Uganda have dropped to second place and one point behind.

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The Hawks looking for a suspect who allegedly stole gold bars and silver bars worth R40m  

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Picture: One of the suspects, Mayeso Ginora Lufeyo/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

15 November 2024- The Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation team is requesting public assistance in locating the whereabouts of Mayeso Ginora Lufeyo, who can assist in resolving an ongoing case regarding stolen gold/silver bars during November 2022 at Witsloot Farm in Vosburg. It is alleged that during November 2022, the complainant and his wife were accosted by four suspects wearing balaclavas at their leased farm house.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the suspects were armed with firearms, including shotguns. Mnisi said they allegedly robbed them of gold bars and silver bars worth R40 million, as well as a 22 rifle.

“The police were notified, and an armed robbery case was opened which was later transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The stolen gold/silver bars might be sold to unsuspecting buyers.

“Individuals with information regarding the whereabouts of Lufeyo, are requested to contact Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Rooiland at 082 ‪770 5219, or contact crime stop number ‪08600 10111, nearest police station, or share information on MySAPSApp,” she said.

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DA accuses North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi of using govt programmes for electioneering

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By OBAKENG MAJE

15 November 2024- The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) said in its concerted effort to accelerate service delivery to its residents, it will continue to rollout Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded across four districts of the province. On 15 November 2024, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi joined by Members of Executive Council (MECs) and District and Local municipalities leadership, led the provincial programme at Maquassi Hills Local Municipality in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

Mokgosi said through this programme, key service delivery areas such as water and sanitation, roads maintenance, infrastructure projects, waste management, compliance monitoring and inspection and health and social services are prioritised. He further said amongst the activities that were conducted, was a site inspection of a water augmentation project, which was commissioned to improve water supply in the Wolmaranstad area and an oversight visit to a rehabilitation and reseal project of a 37km road from Wolmaranstad to Wesselsbron.

“Furthermore, four completed RDP houses and 10 title deeds were handed over to beneficiaries in Lebaleng and Tswelelang Townships respectively, while two local Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) providing care and protection services to the needy community, were presented with dummy cheques worth R3 million combined.

“The food security programme included planting of vegetable seedlings at the North West School for the Deaf at Leeudoringstad, handing over of bulls to female farmers at Louwpan Farm and Oersonskraal, distribution of fruit trees and vegetable packages to identified households and handing over of garden equipment to the existing four community gardens in Tswelelang,” said Mokgosi.

He added that to ensure alignment with the provincial Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded Programme, Ngaka Modiri Molema District will roll out its programme in Ga-Motlatla village in Ditsobotla Local Municipality, while in Bojanala Platinum District it will be at Ramaphosa Sports Ground in Moretele Local Municipality. Mokgosi said the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District programme will be at Geluksoord in Christiana, Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality.

“This week’s Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded Programme was also used to mobilise and assist communities to recode their electricity meters to Key Revision Number 2 (KRN 2), this as the deadline of 24 November is looming,” he said.

However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Chris Steyl accused Mokgosi of abusing government resources to campaign on eve of Maquassi Hills Ward 5 by-election. Steyl said it appears that Mokgosi may be abusing provincial government resources under the guise of Thuntsha Lerole.

“Mokgosi’s so-called Accelerated Service Delivery programme is used to campaign in Maquassi Hills Ward 5, scheduled for a by-election on 4 December 2024, in which the ANC is contesting. He announced this week that he will bring all provincial government departments to Tswelelang, Extension 15, in Ward 5 Maquassi Hills, where his government will host a service delivery exhibition from 8am to 4pm and a community feedback session today.

“The Public Protector’s report, State and Party Colours released in 2016, found that the government has an obligation to ensure that there is no conflation between the party and the state. In this instance, it is obvious that the two are being conflated. The DA will request the Public Protector to investigate this event to confirm whether there has been an abuse of public resources.

“Any government resource abuse towards party-political gain indicates a desperate ANC trying to cling to electoral support. The ANC’s desperation to try and secure a win in this by-election follows the continued electoral losses suffered by an ANC that no longer enjoys popular support,” he said.

Steyl said Mokgosi must uphold his oath of office and govern in a manner that is beyond reproach. He said abusing government resources in this manner brings his government’s integrity into question.

“The residents of Tswelelang will not be so easily swayed. This community, much like all residents throughout Maquassi Hills, has been neglected by an uncaring ANC for decades. Residents continue to bear the burden of ANC corruption and failed governance which continues to leave them without access to basic services like reliable water and electricity supply, quality sanitation services, refuse removal, roads maintenance and poor economic and job prospects.

“In fact, year after year, the quality of life of Maquassi residents continues to erode while ANC comrades live largely on the taxpayers’ funded dime. The gravy train in Maquassi Hills must come to an end for ANC bigwigs,” said Steyl.

He said, instead, residents will rally behind the DA’s Ward 5 candidate, Councillor Don van Zyl, who diligently fights for improved governance and service delivery for all residents.

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Picture: Democratic Alliance flag

A man sentenced to 18 months for stealing grocery items

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

15 November 2024- A man (34) was sentenced to 18 months by the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court for stealing grocery items at a local business establishment in Postmasburg. Doctor Dash Sibanyoni was caught stealing grocery items on two different occasions on 16 August 2024, and again on 21 August 2024.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the accused was subsequently arrested and charged for theft. Sam said the court out of the testimony led by the prosecution and investigating team, advocate Tshifiwa Muruba and Detective Constable Simon Mqweba, found that the accused is a habitual thief and sentenced him to 18 months’ direct imprisonment for theft.

“Shoplifting is a criminal offence; possession of stolen goods is a crime. If you see it, say something. The police are encouraging the public to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE online survey to assist the police in improving services and to report criminal behaviour via the MySAPS App and 08600 10111,” he said.

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