834 suspects nabbed for various crimes across North West 

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A total of 834 suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglary at business and residential premises to driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition, 74 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials.  

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said of 834 suspects, 322 were nabbed as wanted during Detectives’ suspect raiding operations. Mokgwabone said in one of the operations in Brits, police in collaboration with Protego Security, arrested three suspects on 2 August 2024.  

“The police were in operation when they responded to a robbery at a filling station. The suspects who fled in a Volkswagen Polo, were pursued and cornered by Protego Security members. However, one of them got out of the vehicle and fled on foot, while others escaped with the vehicle. The police joined the security officers and the suspect that fled on foot was arrested. 

“The other two suspects were arrested near Silkatsnek, while the other fled on foot. Upon searching the car, the police found a firearm, ammunition and a set of number plates that matches the description of the vehicle that was used during the commission of the crimes. They are expected to appear in court soon,” he said.  

Mokgwabone further said in Kanana Township, near Orkney, Provincial Office and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District personnel as well as role players, including traffic and officials from the local municipality, saturated the place to heighten visibility through patrols, Vehicle Check Points (VCP) and to ensure compliance with various legislation. He said during the operations, 209 premises, 2 306 persons and 1 402 vehicles, were searched. 

“Moreover, the operation led to confiscation of alcohol, 23 ammunition, a variety of drugs, two handguns, three vehicles and tobacco products,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, stated that police working with other role players will continue to work hard through enhanced crime prevention and combating operations conducted between 29 July and 4 August 2024, to ensure that those who commit crime are arrested.

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Four people died after their bakkie collided with a train 

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Picture: Four people died and three injured in a car collision

By REGINALD KANYANE 

Four people died after the bakkie that they were travelling in collided with a train in Postmasburg on Sunday afternoon. It is alleged that the bakkie with 12 people were crossing the railway tracks, near Groenwater when they collided with an oncoming train.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the vehicle allegedly stalled on the train tracks and some of the adults jumped off the bakkie to push it over the tracks. 

“Four persons died on the scene, including two women, one man, who was the driver of the bakkie and a boy (6).  Three persons sustained injuries and are being treated in hospital,” she said.

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Tlhokego ya metsi ke tlhoba-boroko kwa Sekhing 

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Setshwantsho: Baagi bae me fa thoka sa sediba sa maitirelo

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Baagi ba kwa motseng wa Sekhing, gaufi le Taung, ba ikuela go masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati go ka ba neela metsi. Baagi ba kaile fa ba na le dingwaga di feta robedi ba sa bone metsi.  

Mongwe wa baeteledipele wa baagi, Revelation Dioka are malobanyana fa, ba ile ba etelwa ke motlatsa-mopresidente, Paul Mashatile, mme metsi ane a pumpunyega mo dipompong tsa bone. Fela Dioka are, ba ile ba makala thata fa ba bona metsi a sa tlhole a tswa mo letsatsing le le latelang. 

“Baagi ba patelesega go nwa metsi go tswa kwa Sedibeng le tanka tse di mo motseng. Maswabi ke gore tanka eo ga mmogo le sediba seo, ga di tswalwe, mme baagi bangwe ba latlhela mengato ya bana, ditlhogo tsa dintswa le dikatse mo teng. Diphologolo tsone ga ke bue gonne di bolawa ke lenyora,” Dioka wa tlhalosa. 

O mongwe wa baeteledipele wa baagi, Boitumelo Might are ba na le ngwaga fa e sale molekgotlha yo a ikarabelang ka tsa mafaratlhatlha kwa masepaleng wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Pico Seepamere a ba tshepisitse gore masepala o tlile go ba epela madutelo (boreholes) mo motseng wa bone. Might are fela ba sentse ba beile letsogo mo phatlheng.  

“Masepala o thapile moneela-ditirelo gore are neele metsi ka ditanka, fela matsapa ke gore, moneela-ditirelo o, o boa gape a re a rekisetsa. Re bua re penne sehuba gonne re dirile dipatlisiso,” Might wa tlhalosa. 

Kgabagare, Seepamere are: “Re samagane le ntlha eo ya tlhokego ya metsi. Re na le dithulaganyo tse re di tsenyang tirisong, mme maitlhomo ele go rarabolola bothata jwa metsi. Tota gone ke nnete ke dikgwedi baagi ba tlhoka metsi, mme mathata ke go tswalega ga peipi e isang metsi kwa go bone. 

“Jaanong, motlamedi wa rona wa metsi eleng Magalies Water, o tlile go re thusa go ka rarabolola bothata jo. Re na le tshepo ya gore baagi ba tla bona metsi mo matsatsing ale mararo a tlang mo kgaolong ya Tlapeng le Mocweding.” 

Seepamere are ke nnete metsi mo madutelong a teng kwa Sekhing, fela a kgotlhegile. Are ke ka moo ba neelang baagi metsi ka mokgwa wa ditanka. 

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Close to R500m spent on Taung Skull World Heritage Site 

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Picture: The late professor and palaeoanthropologist Phillip Vallentine Tobias holds the Taung skull. / Wikipedia

By OBAKENG MAJE 

4 August 2024- Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) has joined the residents of Taung, where the fossilised skull of a child was discovered by unsuspecting workers in a limestone quarry in Buxton village in 1924, who are calling for the return of the skull. Taung Skull or Taung Child, which was later named Australopithecus africanus, was the first hominid fossil to be discovered on the African continent.

Taung Skull was formally discovered and studied by Raymond Dart. The skull was taken to the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for research purposes, where it is currently located. F4SD councillor in the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mika Moeti said even though the area was declared as a World Heritage Site, no activities are taking place there. 

Moeti further said they are worried that UNESCO might strip the area off its World Heritage Site status due to non-compliance and lack of development. He added that he picked up that the project at Taung World Heritage Site is at 40% for completion. 

“Since 1994, the government has been allocating a budget to this project without any progress. Unfortunately, the residents of Taung do not want to pronounce themselves on this. What is worrisome is that the Taung Skull is actually benefiting the people of Gauteng. I am raising this matter because we cannot have a local authority, which is the municipality that does not pronounce itself on the Taung Skull World Heritage Site. 

“We call on the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) to refurnish them with a progress report. The department must ensure that it completes the project so that the Taung Skull can return to its origin,” said Moeti. 

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane said: “This is a project that started a long time ago. We have already spent close to R500 million on that project. However, we can confirm that the heritage centre, museum, multi-purpose, restaurant and power house are at 90% to be complete. I think soon, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will be handing over the site to the community of Taung. 

“Around the same development, we also have the project that we have kick-started for 2024/2025 financial year, where amongst others, include 40 beds, middle cost hotel and 150 seater conference around Thomeng road. The estimated budget for this development is R400 million and R150m. We are going to hand over the project at the end of September.

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A man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his ex-girlfriend 

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By REGINALD KANYANE 

A man (52) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp for killing his former girlfriend (29). The accused, John Marumoagae who worked as security officer, left his post in the evening on 18 February 2023, and went to a tavern in Tigane Township, near Hartbeesfontein where he found his former girlfriend, Duduetsang Mokgethi. 

North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said an argument ensued between Marumoagae and Mokgethi, after he accused her of having an affair with another man. Mokgwabone further said the pair left the tavern together, but were still arguing. 

“However, the former girlfriend’s body was discovered the following day in an open field by a passer-by. The police were summoned and a case of murder was registered leading to the arrest of Marumoagae, but due to insufficient evidence, the case was not enrolled. The Anti-Gang Unit took over the investigation, which revealed that Marumoagae insured Mokgethi without her knowledge, although he did not manage to get payment from the insurance.

“A warrant of arrest was applied for and the Marumoagage was arrested on 20 June 2023, and bail was successfully opposed. The matter was transferred to the North West High Court and Marumoagae was found guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life and further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence. They also thanked the state prosecutor, Advocate Dibuseng Ntsala and the Investigating Officer, Detective Sgt Buti Matlhoko for their diligence to secure the conviction and ensure that justice is served.

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Mokgweetsi wa Toyota Tazz o latlhegetswe ke botshelo mo kotsing ya sejanaga  

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Setshwantsho: Mokgweetsi wa Toyota Tazz o latlhegetswe ke botshelo mo kotsing ya sejanaga/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Mokgweetsi wa sejanaga sa modiro wa Toyota Tazz o tlhokafetse mo kotsing ya sejanaga mo letsatsing la Labotlhano. Go begwa fa mokgweetsi wa dingwaga di le 48, a ile a thulana le tekesi ya modiro wa Toyota Quantum, e eneng e pegile bapagami. 

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, kotsi e e diragetse gaufi le Taung Agricultural College mo tseleng e e tswang kwa Taung District Hospital, mme e lebile kwa toropong ya Taung. Go begwa fa mokgweetsi wa sejanaga sa Toyota Tazz, ane a sega dijanaga tse dingwe tsebe, mme a latlhegelwa ke taolo. 

“Mokgweetsi wa sejanaga sa Toyota Tazz, o ile a thulana le tekesi ya Toyota Quantum, mme a tlhokafalela kwa lefelong la kotsi. Go begwa fa bapagami ba le babedi ba tekesi, ba ile ba tswa dikgobalo, mme ba ile ba rwalelwa kwa bookelong jwa selegae. 

“Sepodisi se butse kgetsi ya polao ntle le maikaelelo, mme ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa. 

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Mayor question the legitimacy of committee probing his car accidents  

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Picture: The embattled GTLM mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe  

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) has established an ad hoc committee to probe the embattled municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoralwe’s conduct. This comes after Gaoraelwe’s involvement in accidents, while driving the luxury R700 000 BMW X3 belonging to the municipality. 

Gaoraelwe was allegedly involved in an accident on 30 June 2024. He crashed the vehicle after allegedly being followed and shot at by unknown assailants. 

However, there are allegations that Gaoraelwe crashed the municipal vehicle during the day while drunk and later on, staged the attempted hijacking as a cover-up. 

Now, municipal speaker Grace Moipolai said they have established an ad hoc committee to probe Gaoraelwe’s vehicle accidents. 

“In terms of the powers invested in me, I have decided to call for a special council meeting that will look into the vehicle accident involving the mayor. On 30 June 2024, Gaoraelwe was reportedly involved in an ugly accident, while driving the official vehicle. 

“In any event, the accident is a personal and sensitive matter that has to be treated with care and respect as it involves the dignity and the inherent rights of those involved and need to be protected at all cost,” she said. 

Moipolai further said, it is in the interest of the public, the municipal council to investigate the matter thoroughly and in the end furnish the public a clear report on what has transpired as Gaoralwe was using the state property. She added Gaoraelwe was involved in accidents twice using the municipal vehicle and this has precipitated the public interest. 

“We have established an ad hoc committee in terms of Schedule 1, Code of Conduct for councillors, paragraph 14 of the Municipal Systems Act (MSA). The ad hoc committee will investigate the previous accidents that Gaoraelwe was involved in, as well as the recent incident that allegedly happened on 30 June 2024. 

“It is in the interest of the public that such a move is undertaken and the community of the Greater Taung be favoured with a report of this investigation, including the MEC for COGTA and the Auditor General (AG),” said Moipolai. 

The committee is expected to table a report before the council within 21 days.          

Meanwhile, Gaoraelwe has written a letter to Moipolai questioning the legitimacy of the committee. He said the letter from Moipolai was purely and merely a formal requisition of the accident. 

“In premise, motor vehicle accidents while using municipal/state vehicles are not recorded as a breach of code of conduct, which in essence rendered the investigation by the ad hoc committee baseless and unfounded,” he said.

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A man jailed for raping his own daughter

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By REGINALD KANYANE 

A father (40) was sentenced to 25 years by the Upington Regional Court for raping his own daughter (15). On 1 January 2024, at approximately 3am, the victim was sitting with her friend outside their home when her father called her in and sent her friend away. 

He started touching his daughter inappropriately and threatened her with a knife when she resisted, then raped her. 

The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphime Masegela said the accused also threatened to kill the victim, if she told anyone about the incident.

“The incident was reported to the police and the accused was subsequently arrested on 2 January 2024. He was found guilty of rape and was convicted in the Upington Regional Court.

“The management of the SAPS welcomed the conviction and commended the meticulous investigation by Sergeant Josef Van Wky attached to Upington Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit,” Masegela said. 

She further said Detectives in the Northern Cape remain committed in ensuring justice is served for the victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) crimes. 

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The mine accused of disregarding obligations 

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Picture: The Sentimental Diamond in Sekhing village, Taung   

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The residents of Sekhing village, near Taung who are living at the doorstep of the Sentimental Diamond Mine, alleged that the mine is not benefiting them. This week, the residents embarked on a peaceful march and submitted their Memorandum of Demand (MoD) to the mine. 

According to one of the community leaders, Lesedi Molane, the mine has junked them and also not adhering to social and labour plans, including not employing enough residents. The mine was further accused of encroaching on the grazing area without proper consultations. 

“We call on the mine to prioritise locals when giving out business opportunities. We have had a good relationship with mine at first, but now the relationship is unpleasant. They do not give reports to the community at all, instead they allege that they only report to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

“The mine must listen to us as land occupiers and beneficiaries. We want a Committee of Representatives to be on site with them. Their threats of taking us to court are noted and will be taken forward,” he said.

Molane added that the Sentimental Diamond Mine is not transparent and honest. He alleged that the company has employed more than 10 people from outside and only two unskilled locals as security guards. 

“They alleged that they are still prospecting but it has been long. We need to sit down with them or we are going to shut down the mine. We want a proper company that will work well with our community without any hindrances. 

“It came to our knowledge that the Director is a lawyer by profession, but we are not going to be threatened or intimidated by him. We need a clear relationship and transparency. The minerals in our land must benefit us in terms of development and boosting our economy,” said Molane.

He alleged that the Sentimental Diamond Mine promised to create job opportunities, but nothing is coming forth. Molane alleged that the company that was prospecting in the same area, left without any rehabilitation. 

“We really have no problem working with them, only if they put the interest of the community at heart. We also call on the government in terms of Section 152 (1)(a) to conduct an investigation on this matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director at Sentimental Diamond Mine, Rebaone Matsietsa, who accepted the memorandum said, they will respond within stipulated time. 

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One person died, another injured in a car accident 

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Picture: The car collided with a freight truck on N12 road, near Klerksdorp/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

One person has died and another injured in a car accident on N12 road, near Klerksdorp. This comes after a freight truck rolled over on the N12, outside Klerksdorp towards Wolmaranstad in the early hours of today (3 August 2024).

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said according to the preliminary report, the truck collided with a vehicle coming the opposite direction when it allegedly turned in front of the truck causing the collision. Morweng said the national roads need special attention as lately, there are reports of lawlessness, but also motorists not adhering to traffic laws. 

“We plead with motorists, especially those travelling at night to be cautious and adhere to road rules. We need our motorists to be vigilant at all times and more particularly those travelling at night. 

“Should we observe road rules, at some point, we will have an incident free weekend and that will immensely contribute to reducing the number of crashes and deaths on our roads,” he said. 

Morweng further conveyed a message of condolences to the family of the deceased and wished speedy recovery to those who survived with injuries. He added that they appreciate the Road Incident Management System (RIMS) members on the N12 for their quick response on the scene. 

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