Former Head of Department at North West Department of Health, Dr Thabo Lekalakala and co-accused back in court

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Picture: The former Head of Department (HOD) at North West Department of Health, Dr Thabo Lekalakala

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The Director at the North West Department of Health, Ntelaleng Matlapeng (59) and the former Director of the North West Department of Health, Elliot Motene (49), briefly appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 28 May 2024, facing charges of fraud. 

Matlapeng and Motene were arrested on 28 May 2024, by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team. 

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said Matlapeng and Motene’s arrests emanate from an investigation into tender irregularities between 2008 and 2009, when the North West Provincial Government (NWPG), sought to build two hospitals in Moses Kotane Hospital IN Ledig and Joe Morolog Memorial Hospital in Vryburg. 

“Investigation revealed that the accused certified payment vouchers for exchange rates of R75 million when the contract and specifications did not allow the exchange rates to be claimed. 

“Matlapeng faces one count of fraud, while Motene faces two counts of fraud. The accused were released on R5000 bail and their case was postponed to 30 May 2024, where they will appear alongside the other five accused,” he said. 

Mathebula further said former Head of Department (HOD) at the North West Department of Health, Dr Andrew Lekalakala (58), is facing charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and two of fraud. He added that the former North West Provincial Government Director-General (DG), Dr Lydia Sebego (63), who is also the former Head of the Department (HOD) at the North West Department of Health, facing two charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act. 

“The Chief Director at the North West Department of Health, Vuyo Mbulawa (54), is charged with ten counts of fraud, while Roulph Lotwane Mabe (68), who is a service provider, is facing six counts of fraud. Joseph Leshabane (61), who is also a service provider, is facing six charges of fraud.  

“The charges against the two former heads of the department related to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that were signed between the two companies and their directors on services that needed to be rendered to the two hospitals,” said Mathebula.

He said the services were, however, not rendered, while these companies allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices, which were paid by the department after being authorised by Mbulawa. Mathebula said this allegedly led to a loss of over R86 million to the department paid to Mabe’s company, and over R49 million was paid to Leshabane’s company. 

“The state’s evidence further reveals that the two HODs signed the SLAs, while they knew that the two companies were not compliant and did not meet the requirements,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have welcomed the additional arrests.

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North West Public Works and Roads to address the residents’ plight  

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Picture: The residents of Vaaltyn during service delivery protest

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The residents of Vaaltyn in Taung, said they have not seen drastic changes in their area since 1994. They alleged that the ANC-led government is so deceptive and does not care about them. 

One of the irked residents, Keboneilwe Mampe (63), said they embarked on a service delivery protest demanding amongst others, a tarred 10km road that links their area with R372 road between Taung and Reivilo. Mampe alleged that they have been living on a subsistence level compared to other areas, but the government does not care. 

“It is unacceptable to see people still living under inhumane conditions. What is startling is that service delivery can never locate us, but come election time, you will see IEC officials all over. 

“We have a challenge regarding our road, which links us to the main road. The road is inaccessible and it has been a mammoth task to get the attention of the North West Department of Public Works and Roads in order for them to construct a tarred road for us,” she said. 

Mampe further said the department cannot even do the rehabilitation and maintenance of the road, despite their clarion call. She added that what is sad is that, during the rainy season, the road is completely inaccessible and their plea has fallen in deaf ears.  

Another resident, Edwin Motshidi, shared the same sentiments. Motshidi said the road is more slippery, especially during the rainy season and that makes it more dangerous. 

“Remember, driving on a wet mud road is a risky business, especially during the rainy season. This is because the wet road conditions can make driving unsafe and lead to accidents, injuries and even death. 

“We urge the North West Department of Public Works and Roads to hear our plea. Indeed, Vaaltyn is a forgotten area, but come elections, you will see many activities taking place in the same area,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the North West Public Works and Roads spokesperson, Lerato Gambu said: “Yes, we are aware of the community’ service delivery protest that unfolded yesterday. However, the executive mayor of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje, accompanied by the District Director of Public Works and Roads, met with the community. 

“So, from what we have gathered, the community demands re-gravelling of the road and plans have been discussed with the Head of Department (HOD), Moses Ikgopoleng Kgantsi, to respond to the plight of the community. Due to the discussion ensued, the department is looking at the budget review process in order to deal with the project.” 

Gambu further said this issue is likely to be addressed by September 2024. He added that they will visit the community to go and update them about any developments. 

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A policewoman arrested for kidnapping, assault and attempted murder 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

A police officer who was arrested for kidnapping, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), attempted murder and kidnapping, was granted a R2000. A warrant officer, Koketso Mareka, briefly appeared before the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on 24 May 2024. 

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the accused’s court appearance stems from an incident reported on Saturday evening, 28 April 2024, in Ikageleng Township, Zeerust, where a victim (24), was allegedly assaulted by community members. 

“The Public Order Police (POP) members were called to rescue the victim who was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. In another incident in the early hours of Sunday morning, 29 April 2024, a man (25) in Ikageleng Township, was woken up by an angry mob that accused him of raping elders.

“He was eventually assaulted, sprayed with pepper spray, stoned and stabbed with a knife. The victim was taken to a local hospital due to serious injuries he sustained. The police investigations led to the arrest of Mareka after being identified as one of the alleged perpetrators. More arrests are imminent,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, cautioned that taking the law into one’s hands is unlawful, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. 

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Maiteko a go thibela badiri ba IEC kwa Shaleng a iteile sefololetsa 

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Setshwantsho: Mapodisi ba roba seloto kwa ntlo-lehalahaleng ya Shaleng 

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Baagi ba kwa motseng wa Shaleng, gaufi le Taung, ba tlhalositse fa setlamo se se tsamaisang ditlhopo sa IEC, se sa ba direla sentle ka go roba seloto sa bone kwa ntlole-halahaleng mo letsatsing la gompieno. Seno se tla morago ga gore baagi ba bolotse mogwanto ba ipelaetsa kgatlhanong le thebolo e bokoa ya ditirelo. 

Baagi ba Shaleng le Madipelesa, ba ne ba kwala lekwalo la selelo sa bone, mme ba le romela go ba ba maleba. Mo lekwalong le le bonweng ke lekwalo-dikgang la Taung DailyNews, ba tlhalositse fa ba se kitla ba tsaya karolo mo ditlhopong tsa bosetshaba. 

Modula-setilo wa mokgatlho wa basha o emetseng metsana e, Golekane Morwe are: “Maitlhomo le maikaelelo a rona re le baagi ba Shaleng le Madipelesa, ke go tswala dikago tsa rona tse di dirisiwang ke IEC, mme re sa bone tuelo ya teng. Ledi la ntlo-lehalahala la rona le amogelwa ke Kgosi Ponatshego Mothibi, mme ene ke moagi wa Modutung. 

“Re le baagi ba metsana e umakilweng e, ga re dumelele IEC kgotsa lefapha lepe go ka dirisa dikago tsa rona le lefatshe la rona ka lebaka la gore puso ga e re direle sepe. Ka jalo, go tloga ka letsatsi la Tshipi, ka di 26 Motsheganong 2024, re tswalela sengwe le sengwe.” 

Fela, Morwe are ba makaditswe ke go bona sepodisi se roba seloto sa kago ya bone le go letlelela badiri ba IEC go ka dira. Morwe are ga ba itumela le seng, gonne puso e, ga ya ba direla sepe. 

Gape ba latofatsa badiri ba IEC ka go ya go dira di vouto tse di kgethegileng ntle le baemedi ba makoko a farologaneng a se polotiki. 

Kgabagare, modula-setilo wa IEC mo Bokone Bophirima, Dr Tumelontle Thiba are: “Ke nnete re ile ra itemogela mathata kwa motseng wa Shaleng, fela sepodisi se ile sa re tlhaga thuso. Se ile sa roba dikgoro tse dineng di matamisitswe go utlwana ka mokgwa wa welding. 

“Mokgwa ene ele go thibela badiri ba IEC go se tsene ka ntlo-lehalahala eo. Fela go fitlha ga jaana, badiri ba rona ba tsweletse ka tiro ya bone ya letsatsi. Shaleng ke yone fela kwa re itemogetseng dikgwetlho teng go fitlha ga jaana. Ga ese re amogele pego epe mo porofenseng e shupang fa gona le dikgwetlho golo gongwe ntle le Shaleng,” Thiba wa tlhalosa. 

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A man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his stepdaughter 

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By BAKANG MOKOTO 

A stepfather (33) sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tlhabane Regional Court for raping his stepdaughter (12) in Tlhabane, outside Rustenburg, on 1 June 2023. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani, the accused got home drunk on Thursday night, and had a quarrel with the victim’s mother, who left the accused with her two children aged 5 and 12, and went to sleep at her friend’s place. 

“The accused subsequently raped a girl, who was sleeping at the sitting room. The victim informed her mother of the incident when she came back the following day. As a result, the matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested at his home in Moruleng.  

“On aggravating a maximum sentence, the Prosecutor, Adv Zola Mpayipheli said that the accused showed no remorse during the trial. He said rape is a serious offense and it will leave the child with a permanent scar on her life,” she said.

The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, hailed the life sentence handed down to the accused. 

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The municipality ordered to remove Thompson Segapo as Municipal Manager or else…

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Picture: The embattled Municipal Manager of Naledi Local Municipality, Modisenyane Segapo

By OBAKENG MAJE

Four applicants who challenged the irregular appointment of the embattled Municipal Manager of Naledi Local Municipality, Thompson Modisenyane Segapo in North West High Court in Mahikeng, have written a letter of demand to the municipality urging it to implement the court order. 

Thabo Appolus, Lerato Setlhake, Lebogang Jacobs and Vuyiswa Morakile said the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng, has instructed the municipality to abide by its order. 

In September 2023, the North West High Court Judge FMM Reid, ruled that the appointment of Segapo was invalid and unlawful. However, the municipality allegedly ignored the order and retained Segapo after appealing the matter. 

This prompted the applicants to return to court for interpolation.

The Mabapa Incorporated sent a letter of demand to the municipality on behalf of their clients. The letter that was seen by Taung DailyNews reads: “We refer to the above matter and the letter from the JP dated 24 May 2024. It is clear from the aforesaid letter that the Honourable Judge President will not be furnishing us with any directive nor will he allocate any date for the hearing of your client’s Section 18 (4) appeal. 

“Your office has refused, neglected and or failed to challenge Madam Justice Reid’s order of 18 March 2024 as the SCA in terms of Section 17 (6) (b) of the Superior Court Act. In essence, the judgement of 18 March 2024 thus remains in force.” 

The Director of Mabapa Incorporated, Nicho Mahlodi said their clients instructed them to demand that, the municipality immediately enforce the judgement setting aside the appointment of Segapo and shall commerce the recruitment process de novo in accordance with the judgement (s) and order (s) of Maddam Justice Reid.

Mahlodi said failure to implement the above, they shall employ the Office of the Sheriff to implement/enforce the aforesaid judgements by removing Segapo from the municipality’s premises. 

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Have you seen missing Katlego Ngwenya? 

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Picture: Missing Katlego Ngwenya/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

The police in Letlhabile request the community’s assistance in locating Katlego Ngwenya (14), who is residing in Zone 5 Section, Letlhabile Township, near Brits. Ngwenya was last seen on 25 May 2024 at around 17:45, when she was walking in the streets on her way home. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said a search was conducted in the area of Letlhabile and all leads were followed-up, without any success.

“During her disappearance, Ngwenya was wearing blue jeans with a white long sleeve T- shirt, pink jersey and white tekkies. She is short in height, with an average built body and long plaited hair.

“Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts, can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Kabelo Dikgale, of Brits Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit on 060 970 9141. Alternatively call Crime Stop on ‪‪08600 10111 and anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App on your smartphone,” she said.

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A man sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a woman 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

A man (28) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for rape. Thatayaone Abia Sekgantlha Motshegetsi raped a woman (26) at Lokaleng village in Heuningvlei on 19 March 2023. Motshegetsi and the victim were walking together from a local tavern when he assaulted and raped her.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said Motshegetsi was found guilty and sentenced 10 years. Sam said the court also instructed that Motshegetsi’s name be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

“The Detective Constable, Lorato Badukane, led the investigation and ensured that justice is served for victims of GBVF,” he said. 

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A man for being in possession of drugs 

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Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated by the police/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

A man (18) was arrested for being in possession of drugs in Marydale on 27 May 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police allegedly received a tip-off regarding a suspicious unknown person in Bokwe Street in Marydale.

“Upon arrival, the police spotted the identified person who, upon seeing the police, ran away. The police gave chase and caught up with him in the Zwelitsha Township.

“Upon further investigation, the police recovered mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R4 320. The suspect was arrested and charged for illegal possession of drugs and will appear in the Marydale Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.

Shemane said the police were commended for their swift response and removing drugs from the streets. He also applauded the community for their active role in reporting crime. 

“The public is encouraged 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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Newly-appointed contractor for the D109 Road project introduced 

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Picture: The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi introduces the newly-appointed contractor/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi, accompanied by the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, met with the Bakwena-Ba-Mogopa community in Bethanie on Thursday. 

The meeting occurred before the last instalment of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole for the 6th administration held at Chaneng village, near Rustenburg. 

During the session, Molapisi officially introduced the newly-appointed contractor for the D109 Road project, which extends from Berseba at the intersection with Road P51/1 (Majakaneng to Sun City). He further said the road passes through Madikwe and Bethanie and ends at 22, 5km at the intersection with R511 Road between Brits and Thabazimbi.

He added that they introduced Maximus Earthworks as the newly-appointed contractor following the termination of the contract by the previous service provider. 

“The project will take approximately 10 months to complete at a total value of R 106 638 989.40. The target set aside for Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) through sub-contracting opportunities for this project stands at a whopping R 21.9 million (excluding VAT). 

“This will bring about 30 work opportunities for local communities. Skills transfer will also be part of this project as participants will receive technical, generic, and managerial skills with 2 students in the Built Environment,” said Molapisi.

He said his department places provision of quality road infrastructure as key for economic growth in the province. Molapisi said he is pleased that the administration did not delay the appointment of the new contractor.

“I am more delighted about the economic benefits as a result of the road project,” he said. 

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