Picture: The CFO of North West Housing Corporation, Kudakwashe Mpofu
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi has confirmed that the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), Kudakwashe Mpofu, has resigned with immediate effect.
Mpofu’s resignation comes after a series of news reports, which indicated that he has fraudulently obtained his residence permit. On 17 March 2024, the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, confirmed to Times Live online publication and other news sources that, indeed Mpofu who is a citizen of Zimbabwe, did not obtain his residence permit through the Department of Home Affairs.
“I am here today to confirm that according to our records, Mpofu’s permanent residence document is fraudulent and was not issued by the Department of Home Affairs. We do not know where he obtained it,” said Motsoaledi.
Tlhapi said, DEDECT has since noted the report by the Motsoaledi and vows to cooperate with law enforcement agencies investigating this matter.
“As the department, we have been following this matter since last week when it appeared in the Sunday World newspaper. I can confirm that the management of the department and the CEO of NWDC will cooperate fully with the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on this matter,” she said.
Picture: South African player against Malawi at COSAFA Beach Soccer Tournament/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
South Africa’s beach soccer team had a difficult start to their COSAFA Beach Soccer Tournament, as they lost 4-2 to Malawi in the second match of the tournament at the South Beach Arena, Durban.
Malawi found the opening goal in the fourth minute of the first period through Dala Simba Dala. South Africa equalised through a magnificent bicycle-kick by Sizwe Mkhize.
With the momentum in South Africa’s side, Malawi conceded an own goal setting abuzz the South Beach Arena as the home crowd found their voices. Malawi found an equaliser in the second period through their captain, Isaac Kajam.
The hosts created a number of chances but could not convert those opportunities. Kajam scored Malawi’s third goal in the third period and Sandrim Ussi ensured a win for Malawi as he found his second goal of the match.
In the opening match, Morrocco beat defending champions Mozambique 5-2, while Seychelles defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1. Angola edged Tanzania.
South Africa continue their quest for a place in the semi-finals when they take on Seychelles at 12h00. Mozambique and Tanzania will open the day in the first encounter at 10h30 while Morrocco and Angola will clash at 14h30.
Malawi and Saudi Arabia match will conclude the program of the second day. All matches are being played at the South Beach Arena, Durban.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) held a very successful Ordinary NEC Meeting in Sandton on Saturday and the executive deliberated on several matters affecting the game.
SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said, the National Executive Committee (NEC), reaffirmed the steps taken by SAFA in respect to the search and seizure conducted by the Hawks at the association’s headquarters in Nasrec, in the south of Johannesburg on 8 March 2024.
Jordaan said that their actions were unfortunate and a shame to the law enforcement agencies. He further said the Hawks are claiming allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1,3 million.
“SAFA is well aware of the amount and is satisfied that it was for services rendered, for which contracts can be provided. Let us reiterate, there is no money missing from SAFA.
“So, I am excited by the passionate and honest participation of the members, who freely aired their views and opinions during the meeting. This meeting was very successful and the spirit of the engagements made us very happy,” he said.
Jordaan added that, the meeting got underway with Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis and Bafana Bafana counterpart, Hugo Broos detailing the programmes of their respective teams. He said Ellis is preparing for the highly anticipated Fourth Round CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier against Nigeria next month and she announced a preliminary 30-member squad a few days ago.
“She will name the final 23 in the coming days. Broos is preparing Bafana Bafana for the FIFA series international friendlies pilot project in Algeria later this month, and the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The South African senior men’s team departs for the North African country on Sunday, 17 March 2024.
“The Bafana Bafana coach and his Banyana Banyana counterpart, later awarded SAFA vice presidents, Irvin Khoza and Natasha Tsichlas with Africa Cup of Nations bronze medals. The South African senior men’s national team won the bronze medals after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the AFCON third-place play-off last month,” said Jordaan.
Meanwhile, the SAFA Technical Committee recommended the reinstatement of former Banyana Banyana player, Simphiwe Dludlu as the SA U17 coach. The NEC also received reports from several SAFA committees, including finance, schools football and technical, among others.
Picture: The missing Thabang Reuben Molopyane found unharmed/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Thabang Reuben Molopyane (15), who went missing on 10 March 2024, was reunited with his family on Saturday afternoon (16 March 2023). The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, Molopyane is residing at Lerulang Section in Rabokala village, near Letlhabile.
She said he was last seen on 10 March 2024, at around 8am by a family member. Myburgh further said, Molopyane was wearing black jeans, a blue shirt and push-in sandals at the time he went missing.
“Thabang, who has a slender body structure, average in height and is brown in complexion, was found in Jericho. The police investigations into his disappearance, led the police to another family member’s house in Jericho, where he was found unharmed.
“The police appreciate the communities’ assistance. Keep following our social media page to stay informed,” said Myburgh.
Picture: The illicit cigarettes confiscated by police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
In an effort to crackdown on criminality, police in Schweizer Reneke, apprehended three suspects for possession of counterfeit goods. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, the police received a tip-off that led to a tactical operation on 13 March 2024, at around 12:30pm.
Myburgh said three shops were identified and pounced upon, leading to the discovery of illicit cigarettes to an estimated street value of R14 660. She further said Khaled Mohammed Mainddin (25) and Maharaj Nasir (23) were arrested and both paid an admittance of guilt fines of R5000 each.
“They were fined for selling counterfeit goods, thus contravening Section 2 (3) of the Counterfeit Goods Act, 1997 (Ac no 37 of 1997). During the operation, police confiscated 130 cartons of RG cigarettes, 26 cartons of Aval Tobacco products and 36 packets of 20 X RG cigarettes.
“The third suspect aged 36, was also arrested for Contravening Section 2 (3) of the Counterfeit Goods Act, 1997 (Act 37 of 1997) and will appear before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 18 March 2024,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, expressed gratitude to all members involved in the operations for their hard work and cooperation that led to the arrests.
Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari during engagement/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said stock theft has become an erosion to the gains made by the farmers for generations in the province. Lehari said this act of criminality, wipes out the legacy which many wish to one day leave for their families.
He made this sighed resignation at the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Stock Theft Community Engagement held at Matshepe Village, outside Mahikeng on Thursday.
“The engagement is part of an ongoing outreach programmes led by our department to create an opportunity for the public to actively participate in the fight against crime. So, we encourage communities to work hand in hand with police and make utilised correct and proper procedures to report crime and to follow up on reported cases.
“Crime in general affects everyone, whether directly or indirectly. Therefore, a collaborative approach is needed to adequately deal with this criminality. Community members complained that they are failed by the law enforcement officers,” said Lehari.
He further said the police and communities, need each other to strengthen the fight against crime. Lehari added that, there is also a need to heighten the efforts to create awareness and educate communities about the correct processes of reporting crime.
“Once the case is opened, there is a need for constant follow-up on reported cases. We can never say this enough, do not abandon cases. Engage us as the department when you feel there is tardiness on your case.
“We will follow up for you to ensure that, the police work optimally by way of intervention and support,” he said.
Lehari said the department through its Monitoring and Oversight Directorate, conducts follow up investigations on cases opened and not handled to the satisfaction of the complainants. He said the engagement organised as part of the District Development Model (DDM), was also an opportunity for the community to bring forth case numbers for monitoring and thorough probing.
The North West CPF Provincial Chairperson, Robert Malungane said, Community Policing Forums (CPFs) are structures made up of community members who work alongside police and aimed at achieving effective crime control initiatives at a neighbourhood level.
“The forums are a way to bridge the gap between police and the communities they serve. CPFs have a firm grasp on what to do when there is a need to escalate and refer matters concerning the police, these include internal and external structures.
“Farmer associations ought to partner up with CPF structures to form a collaboration focusing on stock theft,” he said.
Meanwhile, other government entities such as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Home Affairs, Correctional Services, were providing much needed on site services. The engagement was also attended by Kgosi Seatlholo of the Barolong boo Rapulana and Kgosi Shole from the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.
Picture: The former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane
By OBAKENG MAJE
A judgement on a rape case against the former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane, was postponed to 8 and 9 May 2024, by the Vryburg Regional Court on Friday. Shoarane who was working as Assistant Manager in the security department at the municipality, raped a woman in Vryburg a few years ago.
It is alleged that, the woman in question was a well-known prostitute in Vryburg. According to information, the woman was hitchhiking to go to Huhudi Township when she met Shoarane. Shoarane promised the woman to take her safely to Huhudi, but instead, he headed to a dilapidated building, where he raped her.
After the ordeal, Shoarane dumped the woman in the streets and left. The woman went to the Vryburg Police Station, where she opened a rape case against him.
Tirelo phitlho ya motho le malomagwe e tsweletse ga jaana kwa motseng wa Myra, gaufi le Taung. Seno se tla morago ga gore Albert Dikano Moleleki, ga mmogo le motlogolowe, Tlotlaone Mokgele, ba tlhokafale mo kotsing ya sejanaga mo tsela-kgolo ya N18, gaufi le motse wa Dryharts ka Lamatlhatso wa beke e e fetileng.
Ba lelapa la ga Moleleki ba re ba utlwisitswe botlhoko ke go tlhokafala ga gagwe, ga mmogo le motlogolowe.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa lelapa, Otshepeng Zee Moleleki, mogolowe o ile a amega mo kotsing ya sejanaga mo tsela-kgolo ya N18, gaufi le motse wa Dryharts ka letsatsi la Lamatlhatso fa masigo ane asa. Otshepeng are, batho ba ba ileng ba amega mo kotsing ya sejanaga ba ne ba le bane ka palo.
“Aubuti one a kgweetsa sejanaga sa modiro wa bakkie, mme one a tsamaya le lekgarebe la gagwe, setlogolo sa rona, Tlotlaone Mokgele, ga mmogo le monna o tlholang a nthusa go baakanya dikoloi.
“Mo kotsing e, go ile ga tlhokafala aubuti, Albert Dikano Moleleki, ga mmogo le setlogolo, Tlotlaone Mokgele. Lekgarebe la ga aubuti le ile la bona dikgobalo mo leotong, fa monna o tlholang a nthusa go baakanya dikoloi, a sa bona dikgobalo tse di tseneletseng, mme ebile o setse a ntshitswe kwa bookelong,” Otshepeng wa tlhalosa.
Otshepeng are ba dumalane jaaka le lelapa gore phitlho e nne ka Lamatlhatso, mme e tla tshwarelwa kwa lebaleng la metshameko kwa motseng wa Myra. Fela, e tla re morago ga tirelo phitlho, ba lelapa la ga Mokgele ba tla tsaya serepa sa gagwe go ya go se boloka kwa mabitleng a bone, mme le rona re tseye serepa sa ga aubuti re ye go se boloka kwa mabitleng a rona.
“Re latlhegetswe thata, fela ga gona se re tla se dirang, gonne thato ya Modimo e diragetse. Le fa dipelo di utlwile botlhoko, ebile di robegile, re tla baya tsotlhe fa pele ga Rara mme re re go siame go siame,” Otshepeng wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, ga se a boele go lekwalo dikgang la rona la Taung DailyNews ka dikarabo mabapi le kgang e. Dikarabo tsa ga Funani di tla tsenngwa mo kgannyeng e fa di setse di gorogile.
Setshwantsho: Mosimanyana o tlhokafetseng mo kotsing ya sejanaga, Koketso Setilo/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Mosimane wa dingwaga di le 20 wa kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile, gaufi le Taung, o tlile go fitlhiwa mo letsatsing la gompieno. Koketso Setilo one a tlhokafala mo kotsing ya sejanaga fa a ne a thulwa ke sejanaga sa modiro wa Polo Vivo ka Lamatlhatso wa beke e e fitileng.
Setilo one a tsamaya le tsala ya gagwe, Tlotlang Maruping. Go begwa fa makawana a, ba ne ba thudiwe ke sejanaga mo tsela-kgolo ya N18, gaufi le matsenong a motse wa Maphoitsile mono Taung.
Setilo le Maruping ba ne ba palame setobetobe (bicycle) go leba kwa motseng wa Majaneng fa ba ne ba amega mo kotsing ya sejanaga.
Go begwa fa Setilo a ile a tlhokafala ka gangwe, fa Maruping a ile a bona dikgobalo tse di tsetsibanyang mmele, mme o lwelwa botshelo jwa gagwe kwa bookelong kwa Tshepong/Klersdorp Hospital Complex kwa Klerksdorp.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, sepodisi se butse kgetsi ya polao ntle le maikaelelo, mme ga go ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana.
“Mokgweetsi (32) wa Polo Vivo o kaile fa a ne a tswa ntlheng ya Taung le go leba ntlheng ya Hartswater mo tsela-kgolo ya N18, fa basimanyana ba ba neng ba palame setobetobe, ba ne ba tlhaga mo matsenong a motse wa Maphoitsile,” Funani wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The Hollywoodbets players during the game/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
An impressive 56 goals have already been scored in the opening two weeks of the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League and more action is expected in the eight matches that are scheduled for this weekend.
The University of the Western Cape make their way to Johannesburg when they travelled to the UJ Soweto Campus to take on JVW Ladies on 15 March 2024. This match was live on SABC Sport at 19h00.
On 16 March 2024, a total of six matches will be played around the country. The first match of the day will see Lindelani Ladies host University of Pretoria at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
This match will be livestreamed on the SAFA Facebook page at 13h00. Royal AM will battle it out with TS Galaxy Queens at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg at 14h00.
City Lads travel to East London to take on Thunderbirds Ladies at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Richmond United will entertain TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies at Merion Park in De Aar. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will be looking to unsettle the University of Johannesburg when these two sides go head-to-head in a top-of-the-table clash at Lucus Moripe Stadium.
The last match on Saturday will see newcomers University of Fort Hare host Copperbelt Ladies at the Davidson Stadium in Alice. These matches are all scheduled for a 15h00 kick off.
All eyes will be at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, 17 March 2024, as a bruised First Touch travel to Umlazi to take on Durban Ladies. This match will be livestreamed on SAFA Facebook page.
The Guardian 