26 September 2024 – A man (72) was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his tenant (66) in Hartbeespoortdam, near Brits on Sunday. The suspect was arrested by the police in Hartbeespoortdam and Brits Crime Intelligence.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani, the tenant approached his landlord when he discovered that there was no electricity and water at his place. Funani said following an argument that ensued between the two, the landlord went inside his house and came back with a firearm and allegedly shot the victim on his upper body.
“The suspect fled from the scene while the victim was transported to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The suspect was arrested during an
Intelligence-driven operation conducted around the Skeerport area.
“The police also recovered a firearm, which will be subjected to ballistic tests. The suspect briefly appeared in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 25 September 2024, for murder,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their concerted effort to ensure the arrest of the suspect.
26 September 2024- Two suspects aged 46 and 54 respectively, briefly appeared before Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 25 September 2024, facing charges of fraud, forgery and uttering. Morwesi Margareth Mokone and Mankwane Suzan Raleru were arrested by the members of Rustenburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said Mokone and Raleru’s arrests follow an investigation into allegations of submitting fraudulent matric certificates when they applied for advertised posts in the Department of Education in North West.
Mathebula said in August 2008, Raleru was hired as an Early Childhood Development Fieldworker at the Kgetleng River APO following an advertisement of a post. He said the accused allegedly submitted a matric certificate, which she claimed to have obtained in 1992.
“The investigation revealed that the accused did write matric, but never passed it. It was discovered during the investigation that the accused submitted a fraudulent matric certificate when applying for the post. As a result, the department paid the accused over R2.3 million in salaries.
“In a separate incident, Mokone applied for an administration assistant position at the Kana Primary School in March 2011 and was subsequently hired. She applied for the post with a matric certificate, which she allegedly obtained in 1998. Upon conducting an investigation, it was revealed that the accused never sat for matric exams and that she had forged a matric certificate to apply for the post,” said Mathebula.
He further said consequently, the department paid the accused over R2.2 million in salaries. Mathebula added that the pair had been granted R10 000 bail each, and their matter was postponed to 14 November 2024 for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the North West Hawks Head, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have commended the investigation and prosecution team’s sterling work in ensuring that the accused are brought to justice.
Picture: A suspect arrested by the Hawks for alleged corruption/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
26 September 2024- A suspect (41) was arrested by the members of the Mahikeng-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit in Lichtenburg on 26 September 2024, for alleged corruption. The suspect, who is the former chairperson of School Governing Body (SGB) in Lichtenburg, allegedly solicited gratification from four complainants in exchange for administration clerk and teacher assistant posts at a primary school in Lichtenburg.
The National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said investigation revealed that, the suspect was paid gratification by the complainants between 2022 and 2023, in order to secure them jobs at a local primary school.
“One complainant allegedly paid the suspect R14 500, another paid him R10 000 and the other two paid R1000 each to secure jobs. The accused will appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on 27 September 2024, to face four counts of corruption,” 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 North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have welcomed the arrest. They have cautioned public officials to refrain from involving themselves in corrupt activities as law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to act against perpetrators.
26 September 2024- As South African government receives the mortal remains of its 49 fallen liberation stalwarts, it has to be noted that North West will be receiving the mortal remains of comrade Aron Tiro from Braklaagte, near Zeerust and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing from Ramosadi village, in Mahikeng.
It is important to receive these heroes of our country and the province with a befitting honour, discipline and respect. Their sacrifices should not go unnoticed, together with leaders such as comrade Moses Kotane, JB Marks, Thandi Modise, Ruth Mompati, Dende Tladi, Kaone Lobelo, Kgosi Dick Montshioa, Dr Silas Modiri Moleme and Kgosi Ramotshere Moiloa.
Many of our living and departed cadres have through their determination and sacrifices ensured that our province contributes to the liberation of our country. I take this opportune moment to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Otsile Ntsoane and many other writers for their continuous contribution to write about the role and contribution of Batswana in the liberation struggle.
This history is important because it has to be passed from generation to generation. As the North West celebrates Heritage Day, I am tempted to disturb the two of our sons from their coffins, who have landed in the country from Zambia.
I want to tell comrade Aaron Tiro and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing that we celebrate heritage annually on 24 September, but the majority of our dams that resonate with our culture are still in the hands of a few individual capitalists, who charge us a lot of money to access them.
The Taung Skull is still out of the province and for many years, a call has been made for its return to Taung. My fellow comrades, many game farms are still in the hands of a few whites who refuse to share the land with us.
I must also tell you that, the ANC that you belonged to, its military wing, Umkhondo We Sizwe (MK), has attracted many questionable characters in its ranks and files.
Characters that continue to destroy and tarnish its reputation. The movement is bleeding and as you come to rest in the soil of your province, may your spirit revisit the hearts of members and leaders of the movement to remind us of your sacrifices and the tasks of this epoch, as we renew the ANC to grapple with the challenges of the moment.
We are fighting each other for positions, not that we want to use those positions to further the liberation struggle, but to loot state resources and deployed and employ our relatives and families. We are doing things that are opposite to what you fought and died for.
May the arrival of your mortal reminds serves as a re-kindling and re-ignition of the revolution spirit of selflessness in pursuit of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
Yesterday, it pained my heart and I even shed tears, when I heard the daughter of the former Secretary General of the ANC, comrade Duma Nokwe saying an ANC scarf was found on his neck since his burial in 1978. A scarf that symbolised his dedication to the liberation and his love for the ANC and the people of the continent.
May the souls of all the 49 heroes and heroines rest in peace.
(Note: Mr Orapeleng Matshediso is written this in his personal capacity and Taung DailyNews and its associates, do not agree nor disagree with the content of the article. Whatever that has been raised in this article remains Mr Matshediso’s views)
25 September 2024- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) chairperson, Tshepo Khoza has resigned as Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). This comes after Khoza was removed as the Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature a month ago, amid fake matric certificate allegations.
SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said the Provincial Office Bearers (POB) held an urgent meeting to discuss the matter of Khoza’s deployment to the North West Provincial Legislature. Jam said the meeting was called by Khoza.
“During the meeting, Khoza officially informed the POB that he had submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Desbo Mohono on 24 September 2024.
“Khoza’s resignation follows his removal as the Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature. As SANCO, we find it appropriate to officially inform the public, alliance partners, and all its structures about the
resignation of Khoza the legislature, as these stakeholders are crucial to the organisation,” he said.
Jam further said they have called a meeting with the ANC, as the leader of the alliance, to propose
the appointment of Joseph Moyo, who is SANCO’s Deputy Provincial Chairperson, as Khoza’s
replacement in the North West Provincial Legislature. He added that SANCO’s representation in the North West Provincial Government is vital to advance its objectives, including advocating for and negotiating
on behalf of its members and society on matters affecting their rights and interests.
“The recommendation of Moyo for the vacant seat in the North West Provincial Legislature, was a resolution adopted by the SANCO Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) following Khoza’s removal as the Deputy Speaker,” he said.
25 September 2024- A fraud case against a businessman, Thoshan Panday (52), was postponed in his absentia by the Durban Magistrate’s Court until 4 October 2024, to conduct an enquiry into his absence in court. This comes after the Head of Westville prison did not inform the court that Panday would not be attending court.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, despite a medical certificate being produced by his legal representative and handed in to the record indicating that Panday is admitted in a private hospital in Durban, magistrate deemed it befitting for the head of prison and the admitting doctor, where he is allegedly kept for medical attention to be subpoenaed to account for his absence and for not informing the court and the state.
“Following the court’s dismissal of his bail application on 9 September 2024, the matter was postponed to 25 September 2024, for it to be transferred to the Durban High Court.
“The state requested for a further detention warrant to be issued to extend his detention in his absence,” he said.
25 September 2024- The former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member (48), was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for rape. Leon Santos Conga raped his girlfriend, exposed and factually infected her with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
He was given an additional 10-year imprisonment for attempted murder for knowingly exposing and factually infecting her with HIV. The court ordered that the sentence should run concurrently.
The NPA regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Conga and the victim were in a romantic relationship for four months, from 16 December 2016 until April 2017. Mahanjana further said, before the two began their relationship, the victim had done an HIV test on 1 December 2016, which came back HIV negative.
“When the two started their relationship, the victim raised the HIV conversation and insisted on knowing Conga’s HIV status. Conga then lied and misled the victim and told her that he was HIV negative hence his employer was able to deploy him outside the country.
“However, the victim came with the condition in their relationship that “no condom no sex”. One time when the two were intimate, Conga removed the condom. This apparently happened twice until the victim felt unwell and went to do an HIV test. When the results came back positive, she confronted Conga who denied infecting her,” she said.
Mahanjana added that she then reported the matter to the police in May 2017, however the docket was only opened on 9 July 2017. She said in 2018 after several postponements in court, the matter was withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.
“However, after investigations and the required evidence was obtained from the SANDF the matter was re-enrolled on 21 August 2021 and Conga appeared in court.
“During the trial, Conga stated that the condom was removed by the complainant and denied infecting the victim with HIV. However, the state prosecutor, Advocate Emile Van der Merwe called a witness, Professor Terresa Russouw, an HIV expert who testified about the effects of HIV and assisted the state in proving the attempted murder charge,” said Mahanjana.
She said the state also provided evidence, which revealed that Conga first tested HIV positive on 8 October 2007, therefore he was aware of his HIV status when he removed the condom and had intercourse with the victim.
Meanwhile, during the sentencing proceedings, in aggravation of sentence, Advocate Van der Merwe argued that Conga was known to the victim as he served in the military with her brother. Merwe said the victim trusted him, but he betrayed that trust.
“Furthermore, rape is not only a serious violent crime, but it is extremely prevalent. Therefore, the courts and prosecutions owe it to the community to deal with such matters with the seriousness and devotion it requires.
“So, we asked the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment. We also handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) and called the victim to testify in aggravation, where the victim told the court that the man left her with an emotional scar and a permanent trademark which is HIV,” he said.
Merwe said taking antiretroviral treatment (ARV) every night is a constant reminder of the scar he permanently gave her. He said as such, she has anxiety and fears about ever infecting her partner should she be in a relationship or infecting her child should she decide to have a baby.
25 September 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the arrest of two departmental officials for fraud, marks a crucial step in addressing fraudulent activities within her department. Motsumi said these officials from the Bojanala District Office, were arrested by the Hawks in connection with fraudulent documents.
She further said the arrests follow a thorough investigation and they briefly appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 25 September 2024. Motsumi added that the case involves officials who were appointed in 1998 and another in 2008.
“They were both found with fraudulent matric certificates. The verification process revealed that the matric certificates purportedly issued were invalid, as confirmed by the Umalusi.
“Following these findings, the matter was referred to the Department’s Labour Unit for intervention prior to the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) investigations. The accused persons were granted R12 000 and R2000 bail respectively,” she said.
Motsumi expressed the department’s commitment to clean governance and eradicating fraudulent behaviour within the education sector. She said as a department, one of the priorities that they are pursuing is to improve education, training, and innovation, and to contribute towards building a developmental state in the country.
“When we improve education, training, and innovation, we want the department to be regarded as the apex of good governance. To achieve that, we must clean up corrupt or fraudulent tendencies within the department.
“These arrests are a result of an ongoing investigation that has appeared in various media platforms in recent months. It is time for the law to take its course, and we trust that the state will handle these matters appropriately,” said Motsumi.
She said as the department, they will not interfere with the process. Motsumi said their focus remains on preparing the learners for the upcoming exams, with a targeted 90% pass rate across the province.
“While this matter is before law enforcement, our primary responsibility remains to ensure a quality education for all learners. The department will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure transparency and accountability within the sector,” she said.
25 September 2024- A man (42), who is accused of killing his girlfriend, remanded in custody. Tebogo Ernest Modisaesi briefly appeared before Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court today, in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend Keolopile Dorothy Mocumi (34).
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said it is alleged that Mocumi and Modisaesi, visited her grandmother on Sunday morning, 23 September 2024, at her home in De-Aar village, near Morokweng. Funani said the couple allegedly left the granny’s place and went to the victim’s residence also in De-Aar village, where a quarrel ensued.
“The neighbours alerted the granny after they saw Modisaesi leaving the victim’s place in a hurry. The grandmother went to her grandchild’s shack, where she found her (Mocumi) lying in a pool of blood with a stab wound on her upper body.
“The police were summoned and assisted by members of the community to look for the suspect, who was apprehended after being found hiding in the bushes. His case was postponed until 3 October 2024, for formal bail application,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked members of the community for working together with the police in ensuring that the suspect is arrested.
Picture: The Men’s National Netball players/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
25 September 2024 –Netball South Africa is set to host the biggest Males National Netball Championships yet, with a record number of teams battling it out for the ultimate prize. As defending champions, Ekurhuleni will face intense competition from across the country as they attempt to retain their title.
The tournament, taking place at the Ellis Park Outdoor Courts in Johannesburg from 26 – 30 September 2024, will showcase the very best in men’s netball.
The Netball South Africa (NSA) president, Cecilia Molokwane said this is a record-breaking tournament. Molokwane said the tournament will be the largest to date, featuring over 60 teams competing across Senior A, B and Under 23 divisions.
“With over 60 teams, drawn from 52 districts across the country – the level of participation underscores the growing popularity of this men’s game. The 2023 edition of the tournament, held at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium Netball Courts in Rustenburg (North West), featured 48 district teams (12 under-23 teams and 36 senior teams).
“We believe the record participation of 67 teams across various divisions underscores the growing popularity of the sport. The 2024 Males National Netball Championships are shaping up to be an unforgettable event. With record participation, intense competition and the opportunity for national team selection, the tournament will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the sport of men’s netball,” she said.
Molokwane further said her vision and the overwhelming response to the tournament, indicate a promising future for men’s netball in South Africa. She added that Johannesburg will play host to the championships for the third time since 2015.
“The city boasts a strong netball presence, with four teams participating in this year’s tournament: two in the senior division and two in the under 23 division. Other districts with a significant number of teams include eThekwini, Ekurhuleni, Capricorn, Cape Town and Tshwane, each entering three teams.
“Ekurhuleni A, the reigning champions from Gauteng, are determined to prove that their 2023 victory was no fluke. With coach Judy Rathethe guiding them, Ekurhuleni A are determined to hold onto their title in the face of fierce competition,” said Molokwane.
Meanwhile, Rathethe said: “We shocked everyone last year, but we’re not resting on our laurels. We’re working hard to maintain our high standards. Defending a title brings its own pressure, but we’re ready.
“The A division is extremely competitive. Two games a day against strong opposition – there’s no room for error. But the players are fully committed, putting everything on the line.”
She said they wish more people could witness the passion and intensity of this competition.
