30 September 2024- The Hawks Priority Crime Specialised Investigation team with the assistance of National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), has secured a preservation order of R1.6 million against Mahdi Akil (50). The order was granted by the Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley on 25 September 2024.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said during January 2024, members of Public Order Policing (POP), conducted a search and seizure at 35 4 str, Klensie. Mnisi said duirng the search, a black plastic bag with suspected uncut diamonds and a red plastic bag containing money amounting to R1.6 million were recovered.
“The matter was then referred to Priority Crime Specialised Investigation for further investigation. A detailed asset investigation on the matter was referred to Asset Forfeiture Unit. The unit obtained a preservation order for the amount of R1.6 million,” she said.
30 September 2024- We have just returned from representing South Africa at the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York. The General Assembly was preceded by the Summit of the Future convened by the UN Secretary-General to forge a new international consensus on the most pressing issues facing our world today.
There was a reflection on the current geopolitical situation that gives rise to the challenges that many countries are facing, including national security, peace, economic development and the high cost of living.
The Summit aimed to mobilise greater support for the achievement by 2030 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Many countries, particularly those with developing economies, are falling behind in meeting their targets, mainly due to a lack of funds.
The situation was made worse when scarce resources had to be re-directed to fight the COVID pandemic. This has meant that targets on poverty eradication, quality healthcare and actions against climate change are far from being met.
The UN estimates that the world needs about $4 trillion to achieve these goals. Just as importantly, the leaders of the world need the political will to dedicate the necessary resources to where they are most needed. The Summit culminated in the adoption of a Pact for the Future, which reaffirms that extreme poverty is the greatest global challenge.
It seeks to hold member states to their existing commitments to support sustainable development. In South Africa’s address to the UN General Assembly last week, I reiterated South Africa’s position that sustainable development can only be achieved when it is being driven by inclusive, responsive and agile multilateral institutions.
This means that bodies like the United Nations and financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund need to fundamentally reformed. We saw, for example, how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the serious shortcomings of the international financial architecture.
Low income countries struggled to get financial and other forms of assistance from multilateral
institutions to support their pandemic response. Onerous lending requirements and overly bureaucratic systems meant that many poorer countries were unable to get help when they needed it most. Similarly, developing economy countries also struggle to get the funds they need, at sufficient scale, to respond to climate change and its impact.
This is largely because the northern hemisphere countries that are largely responsible for the damage to the climate have not met the commitments they made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015.
For many countries in Africa and the Global South, the cost of servicing their debt is diverting much-needed funds for development.
As South Africa, we endorsed the call made in the Pact for the Future for global financial institutions that are better, bigger and bolder, and are able to address the scale of the challenges facing the world. The Pact for the Future presents the world with an opportunity not only to bridge the development divide, but also to reinvigorate the multilateral system.
It is an opportunity to move forward on the long overdue reform of the global governance architecture, including the UN Security Council. At a time when the threats to international peace and security are many and complex, we can no longer place the world’s security in the hands of a few major powers when all countries are affected.
The current approach to world peace is unjust, unfair and unsustainable. The UN Security Council must therefore be more representative of the current membership of the United Nations.
The Pact for the Future commits member states to strengthen multilateral action towards a New Agenda for Peace. South Africa’s message was that there should be a reinforced focus on mediation and the political settlement of disputes.
We must pursue the attainment of just and sustainable peace based on international law.
When South Africa assumes the Presidency of the G20 later this year, we will prioritise the needs and aspirations of our continent and the Global South. As a signatory to the Pact for the Future, we want people-driven, sustainable development to become a reality. All the nations of the world have a right to development, and better resourced countries have a responsibility to support countries with developing economies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
As a society, we need to work together to ensure that development, poverty eradication and job creation remain at the centre of our national agenda. Alongside the other nations of the world, we need to speed up the pace of progress so that we can realise the aspirations of the Pact for the Future and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
This is vital if we are to succeed in building a better life for all our people.
Setshwantsho: Mongwebi o itsegeng le mongwa The Meat Brother’s Pub wa maloba, Tshwaro Mangwegape
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
30 Lwetse 2024- Kgetsi ya maiteko a polao le polao kgatlhanong le mogwebi o itsegeng, gape ele mong wa maloba wa lefelo le le rekisang bojalwa la The Meat Brother’s Pub, Tshwaro Mangwegape, e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka di 10 Diphalane 2024. Seno se tla morago ga gore lekgotlha le itsise fa jaanong dipholo tsa tlhobolo (ballistic test) di gorogile.
Lekgotlha le tlhalositse fa le tlile go ntsha letlha la gore kgetsi e fetisetswa leng kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya sedika. Mangwegape o latofadiwa ka go thuntsa le go bolaya naledi ya kgwele ya dinao ya setlhopha sa NWU Soccer Institute, Undivile “Vila” Mdi (28) le go gobatsa tsala ya gagwe, Aobakwe Ernest Kokwe (33).
Go begwa fa Mdi le Kokwe, ba ne ba etela lefelo la The Meat Brother’s Pub mono Taung ka di 16 Sedimonthole 2023, go ya go ijesa monate. Fela go begwa fa lefelo leo le ne le tletse phetelelo.
Go ya ka dibego, Mdi le Kokwe ba baneng ba le mo gare ga lefelo leo, ba ile ba tswela kwa ntle, mme batlhankedi ba tshireletso, ba ile ba ba lemotsha fa ba se kitla ba kgona go boela mo teng, gonne go tletse.
Go begwa fa go ile ga tsoga tlhatlharuane magareng ga Mangwegape le banna ba, gonne ba ne ba batla go tsena ka kgang. Go begwa fa Mangwegape a ile a ntsha sethunya le go thuntsa Mdi, ga mmogo le Kokwe.
Go begwa fa Mdi a ile a tlhokafalela kwa bookelo, mme Kokwe ene o ile a amogelwa le go kgaolwa leoto. Mangwegape, yo o neetsweng beile ya R5000 ke kgotlha-tshekelo kgolo ya North West, o tla boela kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ka di 10 Diphalane 2024.
Picture: The performance of Moya: The Spiritual Journey at Mmabana Taung
By OBAKENG MAJE
30 September 2024- The Moya: Spiritual Journey that was presented at Mmabana Taung on 7 September 2024, left the audience calling for more. The musical play drew performers and audiences alike to a deeper connection to their spiritual roots.
The Director of Moya: Spiritual Journey, Nnete Manyesa said the play seeks to help one reconnect to the self – to introspect and rediscover inner peace. Manyesa said in most cases, Africans distance themselves from their spiritual calling and believe that it is aligned with bad spirit.
“The spiritual journey involves healing and affirming the ego so that positive states are experienced. In our play, there is a young woman called Naledi, who has a calling.
“However, it was so difficult to adhere to it because her mom was a firm believer. So, in the process, nothing goes right in her life. The spirit dictated everything in Naledi’s life until she adhered to the spiritual calling,” he said.
Manyesa further said with self-esteem, belief in self-worth and Africanism, most Africans will become less constrained. He added that acceptance of who you are is an essential aspect of a true spiritual journey.
“The purpose of Moya: The Spiritual Journey is to reflect on what we are going through on a daily basis. Moya: The Spiritual Journey play was inspired by the behaviour of our black people when they have a calling. Mostly, they will think the calling is bad spirit and reject it in the process.
“This play is here to educate them to augment Africanism. If you have a calling, you can pray and do whatever, however, follow the calling because culture prevails before religion,” said Manyesa.
He said he was happy with the unwavering support they received from the people of Taung. Manyesa said they call on other stakeholders, including the government to come on board.
“We would like to take this play to other areas across the North West. Our fundamental goal was to perform it at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.
“We might also go international because this message needs to get across. Arts is still underdeveloped in the North West, hence we call on various stakeholders, including the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation to give us necessary support,” he said.
Manyesa said they are grateful that they received funding from the National Department of Arts and Culture.
Meanwhile, the leading actor, Refilwe Cwaile, who is a professional performer and also started here at Mmabana Taung said, she then went to the South African State Theatre in Pretoria and she has been working as a professional since 2010.
“So, this is what I do for a living and fortunately, I have also travelled the world. I specialise in theatre and I am also a drama facilitator and scholar.
“I major in arts education and I decided to come back home in quest of nurturing the raw talents. Even though these past three weeks was hectic, we managed to inculcate our skills and experience to them,” said Cwaile.
She said they are now better than before and she hopes they will nurture with time.
Setshwantsho: Mokhuduthamaga wa Botaki, Setso, Metshameko ga mmogo le Tlhabololo, Collen Maine ga mmogo le Kgosi Khanana Nnyoko Motlhabane
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
30 Lwetse 2024- Mokhuduthamaga wa Botaki, Setso, Metshameko ga mmogo le Tlhabololo, Collen Maine o neelane ka kago ya Multi-Purpose Centre go baagi kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, mo letsatsing la Labone. Maine are kago e, e sale e agiwa dingwaga di le 12 tse di fetileng, mme e jetse puso madi a kanang ka R27 million.
Are jaaka lefapha, ba itumeletse go fediwa ga kago e, mme go mo diatleng tsa baagi gore ba e tlhokomele. Maine are jaanong kago e, ba e neetse masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, mme ba tlile go dula ba tla go lekola seemo sa yone nako le nako.
“Re batlang basha ba rona ba tswe ko mebileng. Ba tshwanetse gore ba dirise kago e go ka ikatisa. Fela jaaka Kgosi a buile, re tlile go aga lefelo la go sapa (swimming pool), gore bana ba ithute go sapa.
“Re rekile ditshipi tsa go ikatisa tse di tshwanang le tsa bo Virgin Active, mme ga jaana re di beile kwa Mmabana Taung. Go na le kago e e tshwanetsweng gore re e agiwe fa thoko ga kago e, mme ke yone e e tlileng go tsenya ditshipi tseo mo teng. Seo se tlile go netefatsha fa kago e, e fetoga lefelo la go ikatisa la ma nnete,” Maine wa tlhalosa.
Are jaanong, ditshipi tseo di tla nama di dutse kwa Mmabana Taung, mme mo ngwageng o tlang wa ditshelete, kago eo e tlile go agiwa gore ditshipi tseo di tlisiwe fa. Maine are seo se tlile go thusa basha ba mo metse-selegae go ka ikatisa.
“Ke boleletswe gore bontsi jwa basha ba ba tswang mo magaeng, ba leba kwa ditoropong go tsenela metshameko e farologaneng, gonne ba ngokelwa ke ditheo tse di farologaneng tsa go ikatisa.
“Re ikopela thata go baagi ba rona gore kago e, ke ya bone. Mme fa ba na le matshwenyego, ba se e fise. Kago e e tshwanetse gore e ba tswele mosola, mme ba bue le mafapha a maleba go ntsha matshwenyego a bone,” Maine wa tlhalosa.
Are puso e mo tseleng ya go aga Afrika Borwa o botokwa, fela go tlile go tsamaya go nna le dikgwetlho. Maine are mme dikgwetlho tseo, di tshwanetswe go rarabololwa ntle le go fisa.
“Bana ba Isiraele fa ba ne ba tswa kwa Egepeto go leba kwa Kanana, ba tsamaile ba nna le dikgwetlho mo tseleng. Fela, ba ile ba nna le tshepo ya gore batla fitlhelela kwa ba yang kwa teng.
“Jaanaong, le rona re kopa baagi gore fa ba na le matshwenyego, ba se fise dikago gonne madi a puso e nang le one a mannye, mme re tshwantse gore re a kgaoganye gore re kgone go aga dikago tsa mofuta o kwa mafelong a mangwe,” Maine wa tlhalosa.
Maine are metshameko le botaki, ke maikarabelo a bone mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, mme ba dirisana le Lefapha la Thuto le dimasepala.
Kgabagare, Kgosi Khanana Nnyoko Motlhabane wa Batlhaping Baga Maidi, one a gana go tsenela di potsolotso (interviews) le Taung DailyNews, mme one a bolelela babega-dikgang ba rona gore ba tswe mo go ene.
30 September 2024- Kaizer Chiefs FC successfully regained their Engen Champ of Champs title on 29 September 2024, after they emerged victorious against Stellenbosch FC at the Marks Park Stadium in Johannesburg. Amakhosi, who lifted the title two years ago, had to dig deep for the result, having to content the title with a highly spirited Stellies side who held them for most parts of the match before a late strike by the newly crowned champions in the closing minutes successfully handed Amakhosi their title.
The Gauteng province were the big winners of the Engen Champ of Champs as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies also lifted the Engen Champ of Champs title in the Girls division.
Sundowns were up against KZN champions, Durban Ladies in a highly contested encounter that concluded with the club from the nation’s capital claiming the victory, a result that saw the Engen Champ of Champs trophies remain in Gauteng for the next year.
Present at the finals on Sunday was Engen Champ of Champs brand ambassadors, Brighton Mhlongo as well as Thabo Senong who shared satisfaction on the quality of the football over the three-day tournament.
Mhlongo said: “This has been yet another exciting edition of the Engen Champ of Champs, where talent was given an opportunity to shine. It is encouraging to see how the gap has significantly narrowed in both the boys’ and girls’ division, proving that the tournament is becoming more and more competitive.”
Senong, who was recently appointed by FIFA, touched on the quality of coaching at the tournament, saying that it has been truly exceptional to witness young coaches implementing current coaching methods.
“The talent has been exceptional but what is equally important to note is the quality of coaching that, we have seen.
“I have been encouraged to see how these young coaches, both in the boys’ and girls’ divisions have been experimenting and implementing current coaching trends – a clear indication of a good future for South African coaches,” he said.
Engen Champ of Champs Individual Winners:
GIRLS
Goalkeeper of the tournament Aphiwe Msomi – Durban Ladies
Defender of the tournament Michaela Swartz – Mamelodi Sundowns
Midfielder of the tournament Siphesihle Magazi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Top Goalscorer Kagiso Dintiwe – Cape Town Roses
Striker of the tournament Kwezi Khoza – Durban Ladies
Coach of the tournament Andisiwe Mgcoyi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Player of the tournament Kwezi Khoza -Durban Ladies
Match Official of the tournament Kgotso Mashamba
BOYS
Goalkeeper of the tournament Alizna Canca – Ebhayi FC
Defender of the tournament Tashiel Rugunanan – Kaizer Chiefs
Midfielder of the tournament Luthando Azasakhe – Stellenbosch FC
Top Goalscorer Nizaam Fleux – Kaizer Chiefs FC
Striker of the tournament Tlotlang Gaseitisioe – Kaizer Chiefs FC
Coach of the tournament David Mathebula
Player of the tournament Tashiel Rugunanan – Kaizer Chiefs
Picture: North West MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
30 September 2024- The North West MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, celebrated her birthday with the congregation of Bechuana Methodist Church during their 10th Annual Convention in Setlagole.
As a firm believer in Christ, Lenkopane decided to spend her special day giving back to the community through faith, exemplifying her commitment to service delivery.
She donated 100 food parcels and 100 blankets to vulnerable families and elderly members of the Bechuana Methodist Church, demonstrating a spirit of generosity and solidarity. Lenkopane also reflected on 1 Corinthians 12:28.
“God appoints leaders to serve the body of Christ. I am not here in my capacity as MEC, but as a servant of the 7th administration under the leadership of North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi.
“Our mission is to accelerate service delivery and create jobs through government programmes. The churches play a critical role in economic development, particularly through religious and domestic tourism,” she said.
Lenkopane further said churches contribute to the local economy by organising Annual Conventions, Synods, and Circuit functions. She added that these events bring people together, leading to bookings for accommodation, the buying and selling of food through bazaars, and fundraising activities like raffles.
“There is a need to empower churches and communities to harness these opportunities, leveraging government programmes that support small businesses, especially those owned by women, youth and people with disabilities.
“These initiatives are crucial to transforming the province’s economy, creating jobs, alleviating poverty, and addressing inequality,” said Lenkopane.
In her address, she also commended the church for its role in community empowerment and urged the congregation to take advantage of available government support.
30 September 2024- A farmer (81) was found dead at the gate of a neighbouring farm in Kuruman on 27 September 2024. Hendrik Venter left his farm situated between Kuruman and Hotazel, at approximately 8:30am to visit cattle posts.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said Venter was found at around 9:45am at the gate of a neighbouring farm next to his vehicle. Ehlers said he was found with wounds to his head.
“It is alleged that an undisclosed amount of money was missing. The police were immediately notified and the 72-hour activation plan was implemented.
“A search operation comprising units from Kuruman, including K9, Visible Policing, Highway Patrol, Crime intelligence, and Local Criminal Record Centre, was activated to search for the suspects,” she said.
Ehlers further said at approximately 6pm, three suspects were tracked near Hotazel. She added that, it is believed that four suspects are still at large and the tracing operation continues. Anyone who has information can contact Lt Col Gert du Plessis at 082 454 2942.
“All information will be handled with confidentiality,” she said.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that four suspects were arrested and set to appear in court soon.
Picture: The police who lost their lives while in line of duty remembered/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
30 September 2024- The Frances Baard District Commissioner, Major General Charlotte Makgari accompanied by the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, Major General Steven Mabuela, Senior Officers, Components Heads and members, together with the Religious Fraternity, held a prayer service at Full Gospel Church in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberley on 26 September 2024 to commemorate Police Safety Month.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the day was also used to remember those police officers, who have lost their lives while in line of duty. Shemane said the programme was directed by Chaplain Seturumane and the welcoming address, as well as the purpose of the day was delivered by Chaplain Pudule from Provincial Employee Health and Wellness, Spiritual Services.
“The inter-religious faith representatives from different denominations prayed for the SAPS Provincial Management, for prevention of police killings, for mental illness and well-being of members, and the eradication of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“Major General Makgari and Major General Mabuela led the candle lighting ceremony in remembrance of WO Dipipenyane, Sgt Masilo and Constable Mandindi, who lost their lives in line of duty during the previous financial year,” he said.
Shemane further said Arch Bishop Mofokeng in delivering the sermon, he encouraged members to not only protect themselves physically, but spiritually as well.
Meanwhile, Major General Charlotte Makgari, delivered an address on behalf of the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and stated that whenever police are faced with adversity, prayer should be their only hope as it provides the police with fortitude and strength to strive forward.
“I want to address two critical issues affecting the organisation, such as ill-discipline and extortion. Ill-discipline undermines police effectiveness, erodes public trust and compromises the mandate to serve and protect.
“It is crucial that police uphold the highest standards of professionalism at all times. The police officers must understand that such behaviour is unacceptable and illegal,” she said.
Makgari said it tarnishes the police reputation and violates the rights of the communities the police serve. She also encouraged the police to wear their bullet proof vests, ensure that their firearms are loaded and well-oiled and be alert at all times.
“We encourage all police officers to work together to restore and maintain the integrity and credibility of the police,” said Makgari.
30 September 2024- A woman (33) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Kakamas Regional Court for murder. On 2 March 2019, Mabebe Olyn killed Ohentse Sevey in Langverwag Kakamas.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Nelis Prins said Sevey and Olyn, who were in a romantic relationship at the time of the incident, were involved in an argument.
“Olyn stabbed him in the back with a knife, resulting in his death. The thorough investigation by Warrant Officer Kaypo Matthys of Kakamas Detectives, led to the subsequent arrest and conviction of the accused.
“The state prosecutor steered the prosecution. The District Commissioner of ZFM District, Major General Monica Sebili, commended the investigation officer and the prosecution team for securing the conviction,” he said.
The Guardian 