Picture: The newly-born babies placed in cardboard boxes at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
It’s been almost a year since South Africa woke up to the shocking news, where newly-born babies were placed in cardboard boxes, instead of incubators at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital in North West. The video depicting newly-born babies in boxes, was circulated across all social media platforms and that caused an outcry.
This resulted in the North West Department of Health, placing five officials on a precautionary transfer.
Now, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said, the investigation into the matter has been completed and it has made adverse findings against some of officials, who were implicated.
“The preliminary investigation was conducted and concluded. The recommendation of the investigation report was that five employees from the hospital be placed on precautionary transfer, which established prima-facie evidence requiring full investigation.
“The department conducted a full investigation, which was finalised. Some officials were exonerated and it should be noted that the report made adverse findings against others,” he said.
Lekgethwane further said recommendations for disciplinary actions were approved and were implemented. He added that four officials are currently facing disciplinary actions, as a result of their acts of misconduct identified in the investigation reports.
“The disciplinary matters are part-heard before different presiding officers. The dates for the disciplinary hearing will be on 24-25 April 2024 and 29-30 April 2024. On our records, we are not aware of the litigation in this matter,” he said.
Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi
By OBAKENG MAJE
The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said they wishes various Christian-faith based organisations a blessed and safe Easter weekend as thousands will be travelling to different churches and denominations to seek divine intervention and spiritual upliftment.
Maloyi said in the past few days, he has been crisscrossing the province, visiting various churches and attending prayer sessions ahead of this important weekend in the calendar of the christian religion. He further said the visits form part of ongoing efforts to foster social cohesion and promote moral regeneration programmes in various communities across the province.
“Our communities are riddled with social ills such as drug abuse, gangsterism and teenage pregnancy among others. My visit and interaction with various leaders of faith-based organisations and denominations in the Christian community is primarily aimed at cementing our relationship with them to help address various issues of socio-economic concern afflicting our communities.
“The religious sector must be applauded and commended for the role it continues to play in the province. As we enter this holy weekend, we do so cognisant of the gains we have made in the past thirty years and the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.
Maloyi further said they implore their leaders in various churches and denominations to pray for the government and its leaders to prioritize the needs for the people. He added that, he has also made an appeal to those who will be visiting the province to be cautious on the roads, stick to the speed limit, take rest intervals, be tolerant towards each other and desist from drinking while driving.
“We wish the christian community a peaceful Easter and the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ,” said Maloyi.
A man (43) is set to appear at the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court today on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering, corruption and contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. Letsoa Edwin Ramapepe was arrested by the Provincial Commercial Crime, working together with officials from Department of Home Affairs.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, Ramapepe who is a Lesotho foreign national, was allegedly found to be in possession of a fraudulent South African Identity Document and wanted to bribe the Department of Home Affairs officials.
Funani said the accused initially appeared in court on 20 March 2024, after being arrested on 18 March 2024.
“Information was operationalised and the accused was arrested in Marikana during entrapment. The exhibit in a form of cash to the amount of R19 800. 00 was recovered,” she said.
Picture: The SAFA Referees department hosted a development workshop for upcoming Match Commissioners and Referee assessors/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The SAFA Referees department hosted a development workshop for upcoming Match Commissioners and Referee assessors from 24-27 March 2024 at SAFA House.
A total of 30 participant from all nine provinces, who are former FIFA/CAF and SAFA Referees attended the workshop to groom them on their next journey of their careers.
SAFA Head of Referees, Abdul Ebrahim alongside Technical Instructors Enock Molefe and Jerome Damon co-ordinated the course.
Speaking to http://www.safa.net Jerome Damon explained the roles of a Match Commissioner and emphasized that officials will need to earn their badges in order to be recognized as the next generation of Match Commissioners.
“A Match Commissioner is a person who oversees the integrity of a football event, from the logistics of the match, the rules of the tournament or event, and also the role played by the match officials during the match.
“This is a very prestigious role in football and integrity and compliance are the main areas of this role. We have just concluded our four-day workshop for the next generation of Match Commissioners in the country, and they will be responsible for the integrity of matches at a provincial and national level,” he said.
Damon said they are all former referees, who know the laws of the game and are now being upskilled to govern the laws in the respective areas. He further said the course has been very great and interactive.
“We looking forward to see the participants performing to the best of their abilities within the given assignments so that they can progress to not only national but also represent South Africa within CAF and eventually FIFA,” concluded Damon.
Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Kabelo Mogongwa o busediwa kwa ntlolefitshwana
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Kopo ya beile mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa dingwaga di le 47, Kabelo Mogongwa, e buseditswe gape ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung, go fitlha ka di 2 Moranang 2024. Ditheetso tsa beile di ne di reeditswe, mme Mogongwa o itsisitse kgotlhatshekelo gore o tla go dula kwa Magogong fa a ka neelwa beile.
Go begwa fa Mogongwa a ile a tshwarwa morago ga dipego tsa gore o thuntsitse lekgarebe la gagwe, Tsholofelo Nde Emphukile (38). Go begwa fa lekawana le, le lekgarebe la gagwe, ba ne ba dula botlhe kwa phaphosing e e hirilweng kwa motseng wa Khibitswane, gaufi le Taung.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Aaftje Botma, moagisani wa monna o, o ile a tlhalosetsa sepodisi fa baratani ba, ba gorogile ka ura ya bongwe mo mosong, mme go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano magareng ga bone.
“O kaile fa a utlwile modumo wa sethunya. Sepodisi se ile sa biletswa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme se ile sa fitlhela moswi mogare ga bophadiphadi jwa madi.
“Sepodisi se ile sa patelesega go shaga burglars, gore ba kgone go tsena mo ntlung. Molatofadiwa o ile a tshwarwa, mme one a ganelwa ka beile,” Botma wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, rakgadiagwe moswi, Gomolemo Emphukile are: “Re utlisiwa botlhoko ke go tlhola kgetsi e buseditswe morago. Jaaka ba lelapa re kopa kgotlhatshekelo e re tseele tlhogong, gonne le ka mokgwa o kgetsi e busediwang morago ka teng ga re a itumela.
“Ba tlhalosa fa molatofadiwa a dira kopo ya beile, mme a tlhalositse fa a tlile go hudugela kwa motseng wa Magogong. Seo se tlile go dira gore a dire se a se batlang mo bosigong, mme ere mo mosong a boele kwa tulong e a e kaileng. Jaanong, seo ga se baakanye sepe.”
The police in Hebron request the community’s assistance in locating Emmanuel Mogotsi (44), who is residing at Motseng Section in Hebron village, near Ga-Rankuwa. Mogotsi was last seen on 3 March 2024, at around 13:40 by a family member.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, a search was conducted around the neighbourhood and the area of Hebron without any success. Funani said at the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a black leather jacket.
“He has a slender body structure, tall in height and is brown in complexion with no front teeth. In addition, Mogotsi has a lump above the eye and he is mentally ill. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Samuel Molutsi of Hebron Detectives on 079 678 0009.
“They can also call Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App on your smart phone,” she said.
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said, a team of physicians at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex on 26 March 2024, conducted a landmark procedure by successfully implanting a pacemaker at the newly refurbished Catherisation Laboratory (Cathlab).
Sambatha said the procedure, a first of its kind to be performed in the province was conducted on a patient who had been admitted in the Orthopaedic ward with a neck of femur fracture which resulted from falling and left him unconscious. He further said physicians at the facility, attributed the fall to a complete heart block, which caused both his blood pressure and heart rate to drop to below 40/pm.
“This pioneering surgery, led by seasoned cardiologists. Dr Zacharia marks a new era in the treatment of heart conditions in the province. We acknowledge the hospital’s management for embracing new technologies that improve healthcare outcomes.
“The implantation of the latest cardiac pacing technology in a hospital in the North West, not only signifies a leap in medical capabilities within the province, but also highlights the dynamic landscape of medical capability in our public health institutions,” he said.
Sambatha further said the patient benefiting from this medical marvel faced severe limitations to his physical capabilities and his quality of life would have been compromised had he not undergone the procedure.
He added that, the surgical procedure was conducted amidst training for physicians in the newly built Cathlab.
“Another round of training for physicians to perform Coronary Angiogram and Stent Implantation is scheduled to take place in mid-April this year,” said Sambatha.
The CEO of Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex, Thulani Madonsela, has thanked the enitre team that was initiated into action which included Anesthetics, Radiographers, an in house Cardiac Technologist, theatre staff, the Clinical Technology unit as well as the technical support team.
“What was good today was the coming together of the team and our efforts as a province and hospital has come to fruition,” said Madonsela.
Picture: A minibus taxi involved in a car accident/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said he is confident that the provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and response teams are ready across the province to deal with any medical emergencies this Easter long weekend. Sambatha said a comprehensive plan has been drawn to tackle all types of medical emergencies working closely with key stakeholders including law enforcement agencies in the province.
“As the department, we left nothing to chance in our contingency plan to deal with medical emergencies across all the major roads in the province. We will keenly keep an eye on major roads like the N12 and N14, which are prone to horrific accidents.
“Our team in in Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Dr KK) and Bojanala Districts will be ready. The department has earmarked Bojanala and the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts as areas of concern,” he said.
However, Sambatha said enough resources in a form of ambulances and emergency response vehicles will be deployed to deal with all emergency incidents, especially along the N12 and N14 respectively.
He further said the Bojanala District has a total allocation of 22 ambulances and 5 response vehicles, whilst Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, has been allocated 16 ambulances and 8 response vehicles.
“These ambulances include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) vehicles. We plead with our road users who will be travelling across the length and breadth of our province, to remain vigilant.
“We urge them to abstain from use of intoxicating substances, including drugs and alcohol while driving. I urge all road users to Arrive Alive this Easter long weekend” said Sambatha.
He said all the districts are on high alert, including Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts. Sambatha said the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, has a total fleet of 18 ambulances and 4 response vehicles with Ngaka Modiri Molema having 11 ambulances, a rescue bakkie and 4 emergency vehicles.
“As we tackle medical emergencies across the province, we need to recognise the role of the private emergency response fleet service provider, who augments our services across the province and finally wish all residents of the province an incident free Easter long weekend,” he said.
Picture: The founder and owner of Moja Chicken, Letlhogonolo Motseeng
By OBAKENG MAJE
The owners of Shandis Events (PTY) LTD said, they welcome the interdict against entrepreneur and owner of Moja Chicken, Letlhogonolo Motseeng (36), but they will engage their lawyers and get a legal opinion in whether to appeal the matter against Comedy and Music Xplosion or not.
Shandis Events (PTY) LTD owners, Olebogeng David Moshwene (48) and Cassius Yawa (39), dragged Motseeng to court after he allegedly organised Comedy and Music Xplosion Show. Motseeng is the former director of Shandis Events (PTY) LTD, but resigned after the relationship between him and other directors went sour.
The organisers of Comedy and Music Xplosion show, will be hosting the event at PH Moeketsi Agricultural School in Taung on 31 March 2024, while the Shandis Events (PTY) LTD is also having a Taung Comedy Show at Longstreet Lifestyle Pub on the same day. Longstreet Lifestyle Pub and PH Moeketsi Agricultural School are only 3km apart.
Moshwene said, they are happy after the court interdicted and prohibited Motseengfrom participating in any manner directly or indirectly in the preparations of Comedy and Music Xplosion show. He further said, they still believe that Motseeng is the organiser of that show.
“We still believe that Motseeng is behind Comedy and Music Xplosion, but we will engage with our lawyers and see if we could appeal the court outcomes or not,” he said.
The court order reads: “After having heard both attorneys and having read documents filed on record. It is ordered that, the applicant’s non-compliance with the rules of the court relating to forms, time and manner of service is condoned and matter is dealt with as one of urgency in terms of rule 55 (5) of the rules.
“The first respondent is interdicted and prohibited from engaging in any business activity, which in competition with the applicant, nor work for any company which competes with the applicant, within 250 kilometres from the address which applicant conducts its business. The first respondent is interdicted and prohibited from directly or indirectly, disclosing to any person, firm or corporation the names or addresses of any of the customers or clients of the applicant or any other information pertaining to them.”
The court further said the first respondent is interdicted and prohibited to call on, solicit, take away or attempt to call on, solicit or take away any customer of the applicant on whom he has called or with whom he has become acquainted with during his terms of employment, as a direct or indirect result of his employment with the applicant.
However, there is no order against the second respondent, which is Batlhaping Entertainment. According to Taung DailyNews investigations, Batlhaping Entertainment does not exist nor has any directors.
Motseeng was ordered to pay the costs of the application on attorney and client scale.
Meanwhile, Motseeng said: “I am happy with the outcomes of the court. Even though I’m interdicted and prohibited in my personal capacity, the Comedy and Music Xplosion show goes on. I will adhere to the court ruling and just go there to perform as a booked artist.
“Honestly, I’m not the organiser of the Comedy and Music Xplosion, but Tshepo Mojaki is. So, I will abide by the court order and wait for the timeframe to expire. I can confirm that, indeed Batlhaping Entertainment company is non-existence, but the Comedy and Music Xplosion is the one registered as an entity under Mojaki.”
Three men who were arrested in connection with the murder of North West University (NWU) employee and socialite, Sam Junior Mbatha (24) were found guilty by the North West High Court sitting at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court. Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), and Thato Mosetla (22), are guilty of all charges and the matter was postponed to 25 July 2024, for sentencing.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Khoza, Nkuna and Mosetla, are facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.
Mamothame said the state, through Adv Nangamso Goloda, closed its case after leading evidence through five witnesses, who testified on incidents leading to Mbatha’s death.
He further said Judge Frances Reid, found the three guilty on all charges against them. Mamothame added that the three were arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking them to the murder of Mbatha.
“The police investigations led them to a house in the Phutha Section, near Klipgat on 21 June 2021, where they found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed, as well as on a carpet.
“Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house. The DNA samples positively identified Mbatha as the deceased person, whose body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20 vehicle, at a soccer field in Ikageng Section on 17 June 2021,” he said.
Mamothame said Mosetla was denied bail on 7 July 2022 after he initially abandoned it. He said Khoza and Nkuna are out on R500 bail each.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the judgement and expressed hope for a suitable sentence to be imposed against the trio when the matter appears in court in July.
The Guardian 