A suspect (62) who is believed to be IEC commissioner, was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) for fraud. It is alleged that the suspect was entrusted with managing the Corporate Social Investment Programme (CSI) of Standard Bank.
According to the Hawks spokesperson, Col Katlego Mogale, the suspect who is the ex-employee, was the Head of the CSI Programme for the “Adopt A School Trust”, which was established to provide scholarships, bursaries and awards of study, researching or teaching to learners from schools adopted by Standard Bank’s “Adopt a School” programme for those individuals who qualify and meet the selection criteria to further their studies at any recognised institutions higher learning.
Mogale said through an intensive probe, the Hawks investigators established that the incumbent allegedly flaunted the processes of the trust by awarding scholarships to friends and family members through manipulation of documents and without the approval of the committe.
“Some of the monies allegedly deposited directly into her personal bank account amount to the tune of R1.2 million.
“The suspect is expected to appear later this morning in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud.
The three suspects aged 21, 27 and 47, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property. This comes after the police in Wrenchville who were conducting stop and search actions, received a tip-off regarding suspected stolen copper cables at a dumping site.
The suspects were allegedly loading copper cables onto a truck.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Col Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the police operationalised the information.
“They allegedly caught three suspects loading copper cables with an estimated value of R112 684 onto a truck. The police seized the copper cables and a Tata truck.
“A Nissan bakkie believed to be used in the commission of a crime, was also confiscated. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
“The investigation continues. The policing of crimes relating to the tampering of essential infrastructure and theft of essential infrastructure remains a priority in the province and will be addressed vigorously,” he said.
Picture: The ABC Motsepe National Playoffs semi-finalists determined
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The third day of the 2024 ABC Motsepe National Playoffs was filled with emotions as teams either packed their bags or progressed to the semi-finals of the prestigious promotional tournament. Njampela FC won Group A with four points after beating FN Rangers 2-1 in the opening match of the day.
Kruger United qualified for the semifinals as Group C winners with four points, while Dondol Stars were eliminated from the tournament following their 2-2 draw with NC Pro’s in the second match of the day.
Highbury FC topped Group B with two points to earn a spot in the semi-finals, while Thames FC qualified for the semis as the best runners-up after beating Mangaung United 1-0 in the last match of the group stages.
The semi finals will be played on 21 June 2024.
Thames FC (NW) will host Kruger United (MP) at 11am in the first semifinal, while Highbury FC (EC) will take on Njampela FC (KZN) in the second semi at 3pm.
The winners of the semifinals will gain automatic promotion to the first division of South African football, which is sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation.
The finalists will then face-off for the ABC Motsepe 2024 decider on Sunday 23 June 2024. All the matches will be played at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium and will be televised on SABC Sport.
A man (35) has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Hanover Regional Court for murder. This comes after Tracy “Pes” Wilson killed his girlfriend (34) in Hanover on 7 January 2024.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the deceased planned to go out with her sister and friends on the said afternoon, but her boyfriend, Wilson refused. Ehlers said the deceased abided to her boyfriend call and decided to stay home.
“Later, the pair had an argument whereby the accused took out a knife and stabbed her to death.
“The investigation was steered by Detective Sergeant Luvuyo Kampi from the Hanover Detective Unit. His thorough efforts secured the hefty sentence and justice for the victim of GBVF violence,” she said.
Ehlers said the court found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment for murder and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Picture: The police confiscated some of mining equipment/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Six suspects were arrested for Contravention of the Illicit Mining Act and trespassing 19 June 2024. The suspects were arrested during multi-disciplinary team executing Operation Vala Umgodi in the Northern Cape.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said police in the Frances Baard District were busy conducting routine visible patrols around the old Colville mine shaft sites and netted five suspects aged between 31 and 67 busy with alleged illegal mining activities.
Sam said the suspects were arrested and mining implements were confiscated.
“In the Kooinaas Mine, near Kleinsee in the Namakhwa District, the Vala Umgodi team were alerted by mine security of an intruder inside the mine premises.
“The team responded and arrested the suspect. All suspects will appear in court soon. The police in partnership with all stakeholders will tirelessly heighten efforts to eradicate illegal mining in the province.
Four accused who were arrested for treble murder in Kabe village in Makgobistad, outside Mahikeng, remanded in custody. Mmapula Seletedi (29), Lesego Seletedi (39), Lorato Molefe (37) and Goitseone Seletedi (28), briefly appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on 19 and 20 June 2024, for three counts of murder.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a woman in her thirties and an 18-month-old child, were reported missing on 29 April 2019. Mokgwabone said consequently, human bones were found in a pit toilet on 27 May 2019.
“The DNA results that came back positive in November 2023, indicated that the bones were those of the missing woman. Further investigation revealed that, the body of a man that was retrieved from a pit toilet on 21 April 2019, was of a possible witness in the missing persons’ enquiries,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said thorough investigation paid off when the accused were linked with the incidents. He added that a warrant of arrest was obtained leading to the arrests of the suspects.
“They were arrested by a team of District, Makgobistad and Mmabatho Detectives, as well as Mahikeng Tactical Response Team (TRT). The accused were arrested at Extension 39, Unit 7 and Phefeni Section in Mocoseng village, outside Mahikeng on 15 June 2024,” said Mokgwabone.
The case was postponed to 26 June 2024, for formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for their concerted efforts in ensuring that alleged perpetrators are brought to book.
The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West said it will on Friday, host its inaugural Hector Peterson Memorial Lecture to kick-start youth dialogues that will inform the SA Youth Development Charter. The Convener of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said MRM engagement is to among others also empower young people on employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
He further said the memorial lecture is to be delivered by Seth Mazibuko of the Class of 1976 and then Deputy Chairperson of the June 16 Action Committee that was led by the late Chairperson, Tsietsi Mashinini.
Kgwele added that the two-hour session hosted by the civil society led movement promoting the Charter of Positive Values, Ubuntu and community values is to be held the Abundant Life Outreach International Church situated in Extension 8, Jouberton Township in Klerksdorp at 10:30am.
“The dialogue with young people aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and unemployment is to be held under the theme “30 years of Democracy: Youth Reflections & Refocus-The South Africa We want.”
“We cannot afford to lose our youth to hopelessness, moral decay, drugs, substance abuse, teenage pregnancies, gangsterism and crime,” he said.
Kgwele said the journey to retrace the spiral of youth resistance from Soweto on June 16 to Jouberton Township on 23 June and Montshioa Township on 8 August, must inspire the current generation of young people. He said it must also rekindle the spirit of activism that will redefine their historic mission as they advance towards the 50th Youth Day Commemoration in 2026.
“The City of Matlosana, The Office of the Premier Directorate Social Cohesion & Moral Regeneration, North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) will be part of the exhibition.
“The National Department of Employment and Labour, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), will also be part of the empowerment exhibition and the panel to respond to questions from the youth,” said Kgwele.
Batlhankedi go tswa kwa Lefapheng la Matlo le Tsamaiso ya Puso mono Bokone Bophirima, ba tlhotse ba tsenetse kopano le council ya masepala o mogolwane wa Taung kwa Depot Hall mono Taung. Seno se tla morago ga gore lefapha le tsenye masepala mo tlase ga Section 139 (1)(a) ngwaga o fetileng.
Tlhogo ya Lefapha kwa Lefapheng, Dr Ben Bole are go fitlha ga jaana ba itumeletse pegelo ya masepala morago ga gore ba o neele ditaelo tsa go ka tokafatsa seemo. Bole are mo nakong e fetileng, khuduthamaga-tsamaiso (EXCO), e ile ya tsenya masepala mo tlase ga Section 139 (1)(a) morago ga go itemogela mathata.
“Jaanong re ne re tlile go neelana ka pegelo. Fela, go mo maruding a EXCO go ka tsaya tshwetso ya go ntsha masepala mo tlase ka Section 139 (1)(a) kgotsa jang. Jaaka ke buile, mokhuduthamaga o tla tsaya pegelo le go e neela EXCO go ka tsaya tshwetso.
“Lefapha la rona le tla neela tona-kgolo pegelo gore a e seka-seke pele ga a tsaya tshwetso,” Bole wa tlhalosa.
Motsamisi wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Andrew Makuapane are ba amogela pegelo ya lefapha. Makuapane are ba tlile go netefatsa fa masepala o tokafatsa seemo sa one, thata jang seemo sa ditshelete.
“Morago ga gore re neelwe taelo ya go ka tokafatsa seemo sa masepala, bontsi jwa dilo tseo re ile ra di fitlhelela pele ga nako. Fela, se eleng tlhoba-boroko ke go tokafatsa tsamaiso ya ditshelete mo masepaleng. Gona le dipolisi tsa rona tse re setseng re di lekotse jaaka go tsaya ka sekoloto (credit control), ga mmogo le lekala la rona la Supply Chain Management.
“Re lekile ka bojotlhe gore go nne le teka-tekano mo go yone, mme gape e unngwele bo mme. Re dirile ka bojotlhe go efoga go senya madi mo dilong tse di seng botlhokwa. Re tlile go netefatsa thata fa baagi ba bona ditirelo.”
Molekgotlha wa lekoko la sepolotiki la Patriotic Alliance (PA), Mmoni Letele are le fa ba amogela tshwetso ya lefapha, bone jaaka council kwa masepaleng, ga ese ba tsamaye ba bolelelwe gore masepala o tsenngwa mo tlase ga Section 139 (1)(a).
“Ke gopola gore fa e sale re emetse pegelo (report) go tswa kwa go mokhuduthamaga wa maloba wa lefapha, Nono Maloyi. Fela, le go fitlha ga jaana, ga ese re e bone. Jaanong, fa lefapha le tlhalosa gore go nnile le tokafalo kwa masepaleng, ga re itse gore le bua ka eng.
“Fela re itumelela gore lefapha le atlenegesitse dikuno (upper limits) tsa council. Re bogologolo re di emetse, mme go tla ga bone go re thusitse,” Letele wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, molekgotlha wa lekoko la sepolotiki la F4SD, Mika Moeti wa tlhalosa: “Re ne re filwe ditaelo di le thataro gore re di tokafatse. Mme masepala o dirile fela jalo, ebile re itumetse thata. Se ke se tlhaloganyang ke gore, masepala one o setse o beetse thoko madi a di upper limits.
“Ntlha enngwe ke ya balekgotlha ba ba sa tseneleng di kopano tsa council. Balekgotlha ba, ba tshwanetse go tseelwe dikgato, gonne re tsentswe mo tlase ga Section 139 (1)(a) ka ntlheng ya ditiro tsa bone.”
Picture: The newly-elected North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi announces his new cabinet
By OBAKENG MAJE
The newly-elected North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi has announced his Members of the Executive Council (MECs). Mokgosi has appointed Madoda Sabatha as the North West MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, former ANCYL president, Collen Maine as North West MEC for Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, ANCYL provincial chairperson, Wessels Morweng as North West MEC for Department of Community Safety and Transport Management.
“I have appointed Oageng Molapisi as North West MEC for Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, former Kagisano-Molopo mayor, Bitsa Lenkopane as North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, while Viola Motsumi will remain North West MEC for Education.
“Kenetswe Mosenogi has been appointed as North West MEC for Provincial Treasury, Sello Lehari as North West MEC for Department of Health. Elizabeth Mokua as North West MEC for Department of Public Works and Roads, while former Speaker of North West Provincial Legislature, Sussana Dantjie has been appointed as the North West MEC for Social Development,” he said.
Mokgosi further said the 7th administration is a culmination of wider consultations within and outside the government. He added that this decision represents a dynamic interface between the exercise of the Premier’s constitutional prerogative in terms of Section 132 (2) of the Constitution and the established democratic practice of consultation with the leadership of the province, national and the alliance.
“I am confident that the Executive Council of the 7th administration is made up of men and women of high ethical standards, who are committed to serve the people and understand the implications of the oath of office they are to take before assuming their official duties.
The composition of the Executive Council affirms our commitment to assert gender equality and representation.
“It is a collective of institutional memory, fresh talents and skills required to accelerate service delivery and build on the foundation of the sixth administration. The Executive Council is enjoined by the Constitution to work as a unit under the leadership of the Premier and to be collectively and individually accountable to the Legislature for the
exercise of their powers and performance of their functions,” said Mokgosi.
He said EXCO is ultimately accountable to the people of the North West, whose power of the vote is the foundation of our existence. Mokgosi said they dare not disappoint them.
“By powers vested in me in terms of Section 132 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, I hereby appoint the following Members of the Executive Council to lead the 7th administration.
“I congratulate all newly appointed MECs and wish to remind them all that we have been given the last available opportunity by the people of the North West to work for them and not ourselves nor our families and friends,” he said.
Mokgosi said the people in the province expect that they act with integrity in the conduct of their duties and carry themselves with dignity in both our social and official conduct.
A prosecutor in a murder case against the alleged murderer and convicted rapist, Bakang Katong (32) and his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), has allegedly recused himself from the case.
Sandile Mbokazi allegedly informed the the court yesterday that he recuse himself from the case, but he did not state his reasons. The case was postponed until 8 August 2024, for the state to secure services of a new prosecutor.
The accused persons were nabbed two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood.
This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival. The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” Tselanyane said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.
Meanwhile, the court heard that there was a letter from the community members requesting that the murder case be transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng owing to its nature, however, that was not entertained.
It is alleged that the state is set to call seven witnesses, while the accused persons will call four witnesses. There were also allegations that the accused persons intended to plead guilty. However, it is yet unknown if that is still their intention.
The Guardian 