Bafana Bafana ready to face Tunisia

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos during a press conference/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos said they have put the euphoria of beating neighbours, Namibia 4-0 behind them and are now fully focused on their final Group E match against Tunisia on Wednesday. Broos said his charges will guard against complacency and tread carefully against a Tunisia side that will be gunning for a win against Bafana Bafana if they are to pursue their own ambitions in the tournament.

“It was a great game against Namibia on Sunday, 21 January 2024, and a good win. Goal difference counts and we are happy with the result. We know what we need to do, the team knows what they need to do and the changes made on the day were tactical and needed. We will do the same against Tunisia.

“South Africa have had a few days’ rest since their match against Namibia on Sunday, one less than their opponents Tunisia. But the South Africans are ready to continue in the tournament and cement Korhogo as their home away from home. Every opponent we study and improve on our plan,” he said.

Sundowns FC player, Grant Kekana, who made the starting line-up against Namibia said, playing with his club teammates makes the job easier when they line up in the national team.

“It is easy when the backline is Modiba, Mvala, and Mudau. These are my club buddies and when we play for our county, it does come naturally and easier because of how well we know each other. We train together just about every day,” he said.

The game is set for Wednesday afternoon, where the weather is expected to still be considerably hot compared to the team’s previous evening games.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Two suspects allegedly carrying a plastic bag with 470 rounds of ammunition fled

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The police seize 470 rounds of ammunition/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police are looking for two men, who were walking along R64 road at Samaria Informal Settlement in Kimberley on Tuesday, allegedly carrying a black shopping plastic bag. It is alleged that, upon seeing the Platoon 5 police of Kimberley Public Order Policing Unit approaching, they dropped the plastic bag and fled.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the suspects disappeared into the shanties and the police searched the plastic shopping bag, where they found 9mm, Point 22, 38 special, hollow point, 7,65 normal and green projector rounds inside it.

“The police seized 470 rounds of ammunition. The two suspects were dark in complexion and wearing blue overalls and yellow T- shirts. No arrests were effected, however, the proliferation of firearms and ammunition remains a priority for the police, hence the police request that anyone with information about the suspect’s’ whereabouts to immediately contact their nearest police station or utilize the MySaps app.

“The police urge the public not to approach these suspects as they are presumed to be armed and dangerous,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Two suspects nabbed for allegedly stealing water pump worth R25 000

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Two suspects nabbed for allegedly stealing water pump/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two men aged 20 and 25 were arrested for allegedly stealing water pump to the value of R25 000 in Deben. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Mosimaneotsile Letsapa, a farm owner (57) reported that his water pump was allegedly stolen on 22 January 2024 at around 12:00.

Letsapa said on 23 January 2024 at around 8pm, the police arrested two suspects.

“They were arrested after a tip-off that led the police to a local scrapyard. A water pump that was already shredded into pieces was seized. The farm owner later positively identified the property as his and also commended the Deben police for their swift response, which led to the apprehension of the suspects and recovery of the stolen property.

“The suspects will appear in the Kathu Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of theft,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Former municipal manager sentenced to three years imprisonment for contravening MFMA

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: A prisoner in jail/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The former municipal manager at Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Aubrey Baartman (64) was sentenced to three years imprisonment for Contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) by the Springbok Magistrate’s Court.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, Baartman and three other co-accused, made numerous court appearances after being accused of fraud, which took place in June 2013. Thebe said the other three accused were acquitted on all charges.

“Baartman was accused of awarding a tender to supply paver bricks and kerbs worth R79 966 559-70 without following correct tender procedures.

“The Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team, successfully investigated the matter and brought the accused before the court of law in June 2021, through warrant to appear in court,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of Hawks in Northern Cape, Major General Stephen Mabuela, congratulated the police for successful investigation.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Healing and social cohesion program to take place at Popo Molefe Informal Settlement after nine people were killed

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The community members of Popo Molefe Informal Settlement in a consultative engagement with senior officials from the North West Community Safety and Transport Management/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Community Safety and Transport Management has visited the Popo Molefe Informal Settlement, in Boitekong Township, outside Rustenburg to engage with the community ahead of healing and social cohesion campaign.

This comes after nine people were gunned down in the area in December 2023, due to an alleged war turf between Xhosas and Sothos. The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi said the pre-community engagement was in a form of door-to-door consultations.

Mothibedi further said this is ahead of the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari’s community engagement scheduled to take place on 25 January 2024.

“The objective of the engagement is to promote healing and social cohesion following the massacre of nine people in the area last year in December. The massacre took place after allegations of a war-turf between isiXhosa and seSotho speaking people.

“Lehari has pointed out that, while investigations by law enforcement agencies are afoot – a multifaceted approach to quell the simmered tension is urgently needed. As such, Lehari directed that the engagement take place in the area,” he said.

Mothibedi added that, Lehari has called for intensified visible policing to ensure that all criminal activities and social ills bedevilling the area are attended to expeditiously, with vigour, to a-certain that the fight against the scourge of crime is effectively brought forward. He said all the build-up activities, including the Community Crime Engagement are implemented on a District Development Model (DDM), where all sister departments, District and local municipalities are part, including private sectors.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Two men jailed for assault GBH and attempted rape

NEWS Leave a comment

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two men were found guilty for attempted rape and assault GBH by the Galeshewe Regional Court recently. On 17 October 2020 at around 00:05, Sinethemba Sisilana (29) and Mawande Jongile (23) accosted a woman (22) and her brother (35), who were walking home in Phomolong Township, near Kimberley.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, the accused persons, severely assaulted the brother until he lost consciousness and then attempted to rape his sister, but she managed to escape.

Kock said both suspects were arrested hours later by the police. He said the Galeshewe Regional Court found them guilty on 19 January 2024.

“Sisilana and Jongile, were sentenced to three years for assault with the intent to commit Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). Only Sisilana was found guilty for attempted rape and sentenced to a further 5 years in prison,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, lauded the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Oageng Moilwa for his meticulous investigation that led to the sentences.

“GBVF remains a priority crime for the police and we will continue to sharpen their responses to crimes committed against the vulnerable in society,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Exposed: Nthapelang Primary School in Matolong use toilets as classroom

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The learners at Nthapelang Primary School use toilets as classrooms/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

23 January 2024- Overcrowded classrooms allegedly forced Nthapelang Primary School in Matolong village, near Taung to use toilets as classrooms. The startling revelations were uncovered during an oversight visit by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor, Oratile Segosapelo on Tuesday.

Segosapelo told Taung DailyNews that he embarked on school assessment after receiving a call from unhappy parents and teachers at the school due to inhumane acts, learners were subjected to. He said it was disheartening to see this still happening after 30 years of democracy.

“The situation has a harmful effect on both teachers and learners. Imagine, conducting teaching and learning in the toilets. How do you expect learners to concentrate? We are really doomed under this government and that should be brought to a grinding halt. 

“It is uncalled for to see learners using toilets as classrooms. I think overcrowding might be one of the contributing factors because the teachers at the school alleged that it’s been years since they requested the department to provide them with two mobile classrooms,” he said.

Segosapelo urged the North West Department of Education to address this matter and ensure that those who are responsible are dealt with. He further said learners cannot be exposed to danger like that, because the situation will affect them in the long run.

“As EFF, we believe that a classroom should be comfortable and correlate to learning outcomes. It will also be difficult for educators to conduct teaching and learning in crowded classrooms, because learners were squashed into other classrooms after the principal realised that, we brought the media to expose these shenanigans,” said Segosapelo.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said: “The department can confirm that the school is allocated five teachers as per the provisioning model of the department. Moreover, the school has an enrolment of 211 learners from Grade R-7. It should also be noted that the school has seven classrooms. The number of teachers is actually lesser than the number of classrooms.

“Meaning, as a Multi Grade Teaching School (MGTS), some closer Grades such as Grade R and 1, Grade 6 and 7 are combined. This has been happening for years due to a lesser number of teachers.”

Molokwane refuted that there is overcrowding at the school. However, he said the department will investigate if toilets were used as classrooms and whoever responsible for this inhumane act will be held accountable.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Five suspects nabbed for being in possession of sheep carcasses in separate incidents

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Three suspects arrested for being in possession of sheep carcasses/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Five suspects have been arrested for alleged theft and being in possession of suspected stolen livestock. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the suspects were arrested by the police in Richmond.

Sam said the police received a tip-off regarding the suspects, who were allegedly busy slaughtering sheep inside a house in Richmond. He said the police operationalised the information and found three suspects inside the house with three sheep carcasses as well as one live sheep.

“The suspects were apprehended and charged for stock theft as well as possession of alleged stolen livestock. The vehicle that was allegedly used during the commission of the crime, was also confiscated.

“In a separate incident in Van Wyksvlei, the police, while conducting their patrol, allegedly approached two unknown men, who were carrying suspicious bags. Upon searching the bags, the police found slaughtered sheep meat that they could not account for. They were apprehended and charged for possession of alleged stolen livestock,” he said.

Sam said the five suspects will appear in their respective magistrate’s Courts soon.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, appreciated the public for providing information to the police, which is a clear indication of partnership policing. Otola said this indicated that heightened police visibility continues to ensure that perpetrators of crime are brought to book.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Copper cables worth R79 000 seized near the border!

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: A copper cables/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (48) briefly appeared at the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on Monday for being in possession of non-ferrous copper cable. Knowledge Nyoni was arrested by the Mahikeng-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Team received a tip-off regarding a Quantum minibus taxi at Kopfontein Border, alleged to be transporting copper cables in its trailer.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said, upon arrival at the scene, the police allegedly searched the taxi and found a copper cable hidden inside a fake compartment of the trailer.

“The driver could not provide the police with relevant documentation on request. He was immediately arrested and copper cable to the value of R79 520 was seized. He appeared before court and the case was postponed to 29 January 2024,” said Malwetse.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

More than 876 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela  

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Police during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 876 suspects were arrested for different crimes and 41 firearms confiscated. Operation Shanela commenced on 15 until 21 January 2024 across the North West. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said amongst others, 37 arrests were made for drug-related offences, 15 for dealing in liquor, 29 for driving under the influence of liquor, 10 for possession of firearms and ammunition.

Myburgh said 177 arrests were for assault common and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, 7 for murder, 7 for robbery at business and residential premises, 37 for burglaries, 20 for malicious damage to property and 19 for rape.

Furthermore, she said 64 suspected undocumented persons were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for further processing.

Myburgh added that, out of 876 arrests, 206 were affected during detective suspect raiding operations.

“Some of the suspects have already appeared before the court, while others are expected to make their respective court appearances this week in various courts around the province.

“The operations also led to recoveries and confiscations of 41 firearms, 515 rounds of ammunition, 26 cellular phones, 4 vehicles, precious metals and a variety of drugs. Moreover, 59 premises were searched, 17 road blocks were held and 15 unlicensed liquor premises were closed down,” she said.

Myburgh said in one of the incidents in Klerksdorp in the early hours of Saturday morning (20 January 2024), Bereng Jacobs Thejane (41) was arrested at Terreblaché Street and handed over to the police by a community member for being in possession of suspected stolen property.

She said Thejane was caught red-handed with about 20m of copper cable in his possession. Myburgh said he appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 22 January 2024 and was remanded in custody until 1 February 2024.     

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, reiterated that police working together with other law enforcement agencies will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are put behind bars.

taungdailynews@gmail.com