North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi wishes Grade 12 learners well in their NSC final examinations

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 October 2034- North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said he would like to take this opportunity to wish the 2024 Grade 12 learners well in their final examinations. Mokgosi said he believes the province will do well given the enormous work that has been carried out to prepare for the examinations.

He further said this includes various intervention measures such as study camps that were initiated to make sure learners do not slack in their school work.

“The Department of Education has been hard at work to prepare learners for these examinations, and I have no doubt that, we will do well as a province.

“We have been on an upward trajectory in the last two academic years after receiving 79.78% and 81.63% in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

“Through the Accelerated Service Delivery Plan dubbed Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded, the government has been able to interact with communities to support School Governing Bodies (SGB), teachers and learners,” he said.

Mokgosi further said through this initiative, they have been able to attend to various challenges confronting the communities. He added that they continue to visit schools and attend to their needs.

“We were one of the first provinces to serve breakfast in our schools as part of the National School Nutrition Programme. All these measures have stabilized our communities and we no longer witness violent service delivery protests that were disrupting learning and teaching.

“Over 45 000 learners in 449 centres across the four districts of the province, will sit down for their examinations starting with English Paper I on 21 October 2024,” said Mokgosi.

He said the provincial government has, through the Department of Education, put various measures in place to deter any incident that might jeopardize the smooth running of examinations.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “I will oversee the initial seating of examinations at Tlamelang Special School on Monday. We aim to motivate learners to excel in their first examination of the season.”

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A man sentenced to life imprisonment for rape

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

20 October 2024- A man (33) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court for rape. This comes after a woman (37), was at a wedding ceremony in Madikwe village, near Mogwase, when she was insulted by the accused, Jack Utlwanang Thebe.  

She left and was walking in the street at around 8pm in Letlhakane, when the suspect attacked and raped her. The police arrested him a few days later on 7 November 2023.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said his first court appearance was on 8 November 2023.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Investigating Officer from Mogwase Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for leaving no stone unturned during the investigations, leading to the successful outcome.

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Three men sentenced to life imprisonment each for double murder and attempted murder

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By REGINALD KANYANE

20 October 2024– Three men were sentenced to life imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp for double murder and attempted murder. On 1 April 2022, Monokwa Malewu (25), Maseiso Kokama (64) and Moeketsi Leshuhlo (47), shot and killed a woman, Susan Ndondwana (54) and injured a man (52).

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburg said three men were arrested after diligent investigations done by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit. Myburgh said the police in Kanana Township, near Orkney, were summoned to a scene, where the body of Ndondwana was found after she was shot several times.

“At the same address, a man was found with a gunshot wound on his leg and rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. The police investigated murder and attempted murder cases.

“On 2 April 2022, the body of Mpho Lomo (28), was discovered at an open field, near Kanana Township, also with multiple gunshot wounds. Another murder case was opened,” she said.

Myburgh further said on 8 April 2022, police arrested all three convicts. She added that Malewu was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for double murder and seven years for attempted murder.

“Kokama was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for conspiracy to commit murder, while Leshuhlo was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for conspiracy to commit murder,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, for working hard to ensure these sentences.

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Mosetsanyana wa kwa Modutung oneng a nyeletse mme a fitlhelwa a bolailwe, o fitlhilwe gompieno fa baagi ba le mo letsholong la go batla badiri ba tiragalo e

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Setshwantsho: Rethabile Molapo o neng a timetse le go bolawa o fitlhilwe  

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

20 Diphalane 2024- Ngwana wa dingwaga di le 11, oneng a fitlhelwa a bolailwe morago ga go timela kwa motseng wa Modutung, gaufi le Taung, o tlhotse a fitlhilwe mo letsatsing la gompieno. Go begwa fa Rethabile Molapo a ne a romiwa ke mmagwe go ya go tsaya seaparo sa kereke kwa gagabo ka Lamatlhatso o fetileng, mme one a thopiwa ke batho ba ba sa itsiweng.

Go ya ka dipego, batho bao, ba ile ba mo gogela kwa ntlung nngwe e e sa nneng batho, mme ba mo bolaya, pele ga ba ka mo fisa. Setopo sa ga Molapo se ile sa bonwa ke modisa mongwe o a ileng a bona go tuka molelo kwa ntlwana-boithusetso kwa ntlung eo.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Modisa o, o ile a leka go tima molelo mme one a bona setopo sa mosetsanyana o. O ile a bitsa bangwe ba baagi, ga mmogo le sepodisi. Go ile ga fitlhelwa setopo sa ga Molapo se se sheleng mohama.

“Kgetsi ya morago ga loso e ile ya bulwa ke sepodisi, mme go fitlha ga jaana, dipatlisiso di tsweletse,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.     

Mmagwe Rethabile Molapo, eleng Keseneilwe Jackson are o utlwisitswe botlhoko ke tiragalo e. Jackson are badiri ba tiragalo e, ba setlhogo.

“Re bone ngwana bagolo, mme re ile ra tlhalosetswa gore ngwana ga nkitla a kgona go dula go fitlhelela dibeke tse di tlang, gonne one a setse a senyegile. Ke ka moo re mo fitlhang gompieno. Mme re ikuela go baagi go tlisa dithuso dingwe le dingwe tse ba tla di kgonang.

“Tota kgang e ya go bolawa ga ngwanake ga ya ntshwara sentle. Ke fela gore fa o le motsadi, o tshwanetse gore o eme ka dinao o lwanele ngwana wa gago,” Jackson wa tlhalosa.

Jackson are o botlhoko mo pelong gore ngwana o kana a ka bolawa setlhogo jaana. Are bogolo badiri ba tiragalo e, ba kabe ba tshotse ene.

“Tota o ka se itse gore ke eng tiragalo e, e diragetse mme mo lefatsheng ga nke motho a itse gore manaba a gagwe ke bo mang.

“Se ke se itseng ke gore fa o le motho o ka se tshele ntle le dira. Le Jesu Kreste le ene o ile a rekisiwa ke ba a neng a ja le bone mo sejaneng,” Jackson wa tlhalosa.

Moeteledipele wa baagi, Kenneth Jampane are: “Matsapa ke gore, ga re ise re nne le netefaletso ya gore re ka shupa mang ka monona, mme re tshwere bopaki jo re tla bo bayang mo tafoleng. Fela jaaka ke ne ke buile mo malobeng kere tiro e tshwana le e, e tsenyeleditseng botegeniki jwa boloi, go bonagala gore go setse go eme fela jalo.

“Gona le botegeniki jwa boloi jo bo dirisitsweng gore go nne le tiragalo e ya gore ngwana a tsewe. Tota re bua fela jana, mme ga nkitla re upulola dilo tse dingwe tse re di tsayang gore di bosisi thata gore di ka tswela mo setshabeng,” Jampane wa tlhalosa.

Jampane are mme tse dingwe tsa tsone ke dintlha dingwe tse go tshwanetswe gore di tsewe semolao go fitlhelela tharabololo. Jampane are o sentse a ipoeletsa gore ba tshwanetse go ka kopana jaaka baagi, mme ba dire mmogo, gonne se se diragalang se dirwa ke bangwe ba baagi.

Kgabagare, go begwa fa baagi batswile letsholo le go fisa matlo mangwe a bangwe ba batho ba ba ba belaelang fa ba amega mo tiragalong e ya go thopiwa ga ngwana.

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SAPS honours its hard-working police officers and employees  

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Picture: The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, Brigadier Anre Wagner and North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 October 2024- In a quest to salute and acknowledge hard working police officers in the North West, the SAPS held its 12th Annual Service Excellence Awards at the Elgro Hotel in Potchefstroom on Friday.

Numerous police officers and employees were honoured in more than 40 categories for their excellent performance. Furthermore, 20 retirees were also celebrated for their faithful service.

Brigadier Anre Wagner received the award for Senior Administration Manager of the Year. Wagner is the Section Head at Legal Services and responsible for legal support to operational functions in the North West. His primary responsibility is rendering of legal support in respect of the prevention, combatting and investigation of crimes.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said Wagner is also a work class Archer, who was selected as Protea archer for the World Field Archery Championships (WFAC 2024), and currently holds seven South African records and three African records in Archery.

“The Senior Operational Manager for Policing award was scooped by Brig Ntoagae, who is the Bojanala Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg) acting Commissioner. She had an overall decrease in the total of reported cases in the district, indicating effective crime management and implementation of strategies. Ntoagae made a significant impact in stabilizing serious and violent crimes.

“Boitekong Police Station was awarded the Station of the Year award. The station personnel worked together to achieve the common goal of fighting property related crimes and crimes dependent on police action,” she said.

Myburgh further said the station got a performance rating of 5 – the highest rating. She added that the new strategies were implemented to successfully complete tasks.

“Sergeant EM Morakabi received the Woman of the Year award. Morakabi excelled in her day-to-day duties, initiated and implemented projects and conducted evaluations on community policing.

“She went beyond the call of duty by conducting 33 social crime prevention awareness activities in Jouberton Township in Klerksdorp in conjunction with other stakeholders,” said Myburgh.

She said Captain Sam Tselanyane, received the Man of the Year award. Myburgh said Tselanyane managed the Communication Nodal Point, excellently performed media standby duties and for the review period released 75 media statements, conducted 48 radio interviews and communicated in several languages.

“He actively participated in and supported public education and exhibitions. Tselanyane is elected as the Deputy Chairperson of the Provincial Employment Equity Forum, Public Relations Officer for Men for Change and POLMUSCA.

“Reservist Constable SR Makabe from Mahikeng received a Reservist of the Year award. He worked 489 hours per year, which is three times more than what is expected of him without payment,” she said.

Myburgh said Makabe arrested 41 suspects, recovered three stolen firearms and 11 cellular phones, cash and other stolen property. She said Sgt KG Mosiatlhaga received the Sport Man of the Year award.

“He participated and did extremely well in four different races that included the 50km Klerksdorp Ultra Marathon, the Comrades Marathon and Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, where he received silver medals.

“In February 2024, he participated in the Ottosdal Night Race, wherein he won a gold medal. The award for a Person with Disability of the Year, went to Sergeant Mammie Tselanyane,” said Myburgh.

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A man arrested for allegedly kidnapping his own father

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

20 October 2024- A man (35) who was arrested for kidnapping, is expected to make a formal application at the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Edwin Monnakgotlha, initially appeared before the court on 15 and 16 October 2024, and was remanded in custody for his bail application.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said Monnakgotlha was in Chaneng village, near Rustenburg on 14 October 2024, by a team of Bojanala Sub-District 2 Detectives, Sun City Visible Policing and Rustenburg Crime Intelligence. Myburgh said this comes after the matter was reported to the police in Sun City on Sunday afternoon, 13 October 2024.

“It is alleged that the accused kidnapped his father in Ledig village on 14 October 2024. Subsequent to the arrest, the victim was handed over to the investigation team unharmed on 14 Monday 2024, by two men who claimed to be the accused’s legal representatives.

“The investigation into the matter is underway and the motive of the incident is yet to be confirmed,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, extolled the team members for their swift response that resulted in the breakthrough and subsequent arrest of the accused. Kwena warned that police will not hesitate to act decisively against anyone who brazenly perpetrates crime and undermines the rule of law.  

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A rapist who infected his victim with HIV sentenced to life imprisonment

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By REGINALD KANYANE

20 October 2024- A man (34) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Madikwe Regional Court for brutal rape of a woman (37). On 28 October 2023, in Pella village, outside Rustenburg, the victim was walking alone to her homestead when Utlwanang Jack Thebe accosted her from behind.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said, despite her attempts to resist and fight back, Thebe overpowered her. Gunya said he strangled her and inflicted serious injuries before committing the sexual assault without her consent.

“Following the traumatic incident, the victim managed to return home, where she sought help. Subsequent medical examinations revealed that she had been infected with HIV as a result of the assault. Thebe was arrested on 6 November 2023, and he has been remanded in custody since.

“During the trial, the court heard testimony describing the severe physical and psychological toll the attack had taken on the victim. Detective Sergeant Mabule, the investigating officer, ensured that the victim attend court for both consultations and the trial, highlighting the commitment to supporting survivors of such crimes,” he said.

The state prosecutor, Tebogo Mokoka, emphasized the gravity and prevalence of rape in her arguments for sentencing. Mokoka, articulated that Thebe’s actions constituted a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and safety, resulting in brutal violence and lasting trauma.

“We submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) that detailed the profound effect the attack had on the victim’s life,” she said.

In her ruling, Magistrate Lebo Raborife acknowledged the aggravating circumstances of the case, including the fact that Thebe raped the victim, while being aware of his HIV status. Raborife further pointed out that Thebe had a prior conviction for a similar offence in 2015 and deemed it necessary to remove him from society, as he had not learned from previous consequences.

Meanwhile, Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, welcomed the life sentence and commended the dedication of the police, state prosecutors, and investigators involved in securing this conviction.

“This sentence serves as a crucial deterrent against perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in our country. We must continue to ensure justice for victims and take a firm stance against such heinous acts,” she added.

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A man sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for killing his partner

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By REGINALD KANYANE

18 October 2024- A man (41) was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the Colesberg High Court for killing his partner, Sophie Top. The deceased was last seen alive when the accused, Crawford Khuse, fetched her from her home.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said on 7 August 2023, a municipal worker who was emptying a sewage septic tank inside the yard of the accused, discovered the body of the deceased and informed the police. Sam said Khuse was arrested and subsequently sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for murder and an additional 3 years for defeating the ends of justice, which will run concurrently with murder sentence.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, praised the Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Khanyisa Kalashi, for the meticulous investigation of the case and ensuring that the accused is brought to book. Otola said the police in mitigating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), will continue to engage the community through social crime prevention programmes.

“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.

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Deputy Minister of Department of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo to pay a visit after a boy drowns in a water canal in Hartswater

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Picture: A water canal along Vaalharts area/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

18 October 2024- A boy (13) from Bonita Park Informal Settlements in Hartswater, allegedly drowned in a canal on Tuesday afternoon. It is alleged that, the deceased was swimming along with his friends when he was washed away.

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the body of the deceased was retrieved in a water canal in Maphoitsile village, in Taung on Thursday.

“The police are investigating a case of inquest,” she said.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Vaalharts Water User Association (WUA) said, they would like to warn communities living near water canals to not swim or conduct any recreational activities in such moving bodies of water as they pose high risks of drowning.

The Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said they urge parents and communities to keep children away from running water as it poses endangerment to their lives.

“This follows a drowning incident of a boy from Bonita Park, an Informal Settlement located along the Vaalharts Main Canal, in Hartswater. It is reported that on the day at around 4pm, the boy disappeared under water, while swimming in the canal.

“The police were alerted and their divers retrieved the body. It should be noted that the canal is running at full capacity as the WUA had undertaken maintenance over the past weekend on dams in the Taung area,” said Mavasa.

He further said the water is currently running at 1.3 metres per second in speed, and volume can go up to 100 000 cubic metres per hour. Mavasa added that this means the water levels cannot be dropped at this time to ensure that dams with low levels recover, and the municipalities and irrigators continue to have access to water.

“As soon as it is possible to lower water without the risk of putting lives in danger due to no access to water, it will be effected.

“The Vaalharts Main Canal stretches about 140 kilometres from the Vaal River at Warrenton in the Northern Cape, passing through the towns of Jan Kempdorp, Hartswater, Magogong, Taung and ends at the Pudimoe Water Treatment Works in Pudimoe, which ultimately treat and transfer potable water to Vryburg in North West,” said Mavasa.

He said the canal is part of the Vaalharts Water Scheme, which has about 1200 kilometres of canals managed by the WUA, of which the Vaalharts Main Canal is the longest and largest.

“Drowning incidents are prone around canals and other water bodies during summer season, where temperatures are high and members of the community seek to cool off.

“The department would like to appeal to community members to desist from swimming or fishing in canals as it is dangerous to do so, and this is in the interest of their safety,” he said.

Mavasa said the DWS and the Vaalharts WUA has put up No Swimming signs along the canal to caution the public on the dangers of swimming in canals and regularly conduct public education and community awareness campaigns on dam and canal safety.

He said awareness campaigns are also conducted for school kids, teachers and parents as well as interactions with the municipality.

“The WUA also provides training to volunteers in communities around such infrastructure to be lifesavers and provide them with the necessary life-saving equipment to enable them to assist members of the community who find themselves in life threatening situations around water bodies,” said Mavasa.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo plans to visit the area on 19 October 2024, to assess the situation.

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2024 Sasol League National Championships heat up

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Picture: 2024 Sasol League National Championships

By REGINALD KANYANE

17 October 2024 – Day 2 of the 2024 Sasol League National Championships were held in Knysna, Western Cape on 16 October 2024, as the majority of teams’ fates will be decided by Day 3’s matches.

The opening match of the day saw the North West University losing their second consecutive match of the tournament, as they lost 2-3 to Royal Wizards of the Northern Cape. Royal Wizards currently sit top of Group B and will meet Kovsies FC from Free State on day 3 to determine the winner of Group B, as both teams have 3 points.

Super Strikers of Mpumalanga earned their first three points with a 1-0 victory over Gauteng’s FC Raycon in the second match of the day and will have to wait for the day 3 match between Ramatlaohle of Limpopo against Gauteng’s Raycon, to see if they go top of Group C.

KwaZulu Natal’s Ezemvelo Ladies faced a very fierce University of Cape Town in the last match of the day. These two teams shared the spoils after a 1 all draw and the winner of Group A will also be determined after day three’s action, when Sophakama Ladies go head-to-head with the University of Cape Town.

Day 3 of the Sasol League National Championships will be action packed as teams fight to be determined Group winners.

The opening match of the day will see FC Raycon go up against Ramatlaohle Ladies to determine the winner of group A, while the University of Cape Town will be hoping to hammer Sophakama Ladies to edge out Ezemvelo at the top of group C.

The last and most scintillating match of the day will be the group B encounter between Royal Wizards FC and Kovsies FC.

The semi-finalists will then be determined after the third match, with a follow up draw to be held to see who will go head-to-head in tournament deciding matches, as the winners of the semi-finals will gain promotion to the Women’s National League.

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