North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi condemns with the strongest possible terms the ongoing violent protest at the Department’s Head Office in Mahikeng. This comes after a group of individuals embark on protest action following the announcement to kick-start the Routine Roads Maintenance project.
Molapisi further said the protesters are causing havoc by burning tyres in front of the main entrance and alternative gates. He added that, this prohibits officials’ access to the premises and also affects day-to-day work and service delivery.
“The ongoing protest is a result of misinformation spread by individuals, who are hell-bent on discrediting the department and its leadership. The department recently issued a statement announcing the resumption of Routine Road Maintenance project after delays caused by administrative-related issues.
“It must be indicated that, the department held a meeting with the same group of protesters to clarify issues around the project. It is mysterious that protesters have decided to embark on a protest action before the date of a follow-up meeting is set,” said Molapisi.
He said the communities should be rest assured that, they will stop at nothing to deliver the mandate. Molapisi said no amount of threats, or illegal and disruptive action will stop them from creating employment for the communities.
“Security measures to ensure the safety of employees and premises have been put in place. The law enforcement authorities have been deployed at Departments’ Head Offices to maintain calm and stability,” he said.
Picture: North West Premier, Bushy Maape visits Dingake Primary School in Lichtenburg/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West Premier, Bushy Maape said he is pleased with the introduction of serving breakfast at 300 schools across the province. Maape, who was accompanied by the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, visited the Dingake Primary School in Lichtenburg to monitor progress registered in the implementation of this initiative through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in the province.
“Dingake Primary School forms part of a cohort of 300 schools, where the province introduced breakfast to mitigate the impact of poverty on learners in economically depressed communities. The introduction of this initiative means learners in these schools are receiving two meals a day.
“As part of the province’s back-to-school campaign, we are pleased with the feedback we received in the implementation of this programme. The province is feeding over 740,000 learners through this initiative,” he said.
Maape further said in 2023, he announced that learners in financially depressed communities would benefit from this programme, which is currently serving two meals per day to 300 schools across the province. He added that the feedback he received in the implementation of this programme is satisfactory.
“To date, we have not experienced any hiccups. The programme is in full swing and we also show gratitude towards the roll-out of several Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives by the private sector in addressing the scourge of poverty in this community and particularly at this school,” said Maape.
He said they understand that various social partners and in this regard, business have been assisting this school with poverty alleviation projects.
“This is commendable and I would like to urge others to do the same. We can only build our communities if we work together to address the challenges of poverty and unemployment afflicting our people.
“While there were minor incidents which were reported on the first day of the re-opening of schools, we are confident that this will not have any adverse impact on the 2024 academic year activities,” said Maape.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “The department is off to a positive start as schools across the province welcomed learners back for the 2024 academic year. We are thrilled to see such a vibrant atmosphere at Dingakwe Primary School today.
“The high attendance and enthusiasm among both learners and educators are a testament to the dedication of our school communities and the importance placed on education in the North West.”
She said Dingakwe Primary School with its 571 learners, exemplifies the diverse and thriving school communities across the province. Motsumi said the school’s participation in the breakfast program is a crucial step towards addressing food insecurity and creating a conducive learning environment for all learners.
“We would also like to commend the teachers and support staff for their tireless efforts in preparing for the new year. We encouraged learners to embrace the opportunities ahead and maximize their education. The department remains committed to providing quality education for all learners in the province.
“With a promising start to the new year, the department is confident in building on past successes and creating a brighter future for education in the North West,” she said.
A man who is accused of killing a cash-in-transit security guard, Lebogang Kakgola (33) at Absa ATM in Tlakganeng Filling Station, outside Ganyesa in May 2022. Osvaldo Julio Cumbane (30) was arrested by the Mahikeng-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit on 15 January 2024.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, warrant officer Amogelang Malwetse said, it is alleged that two security guards were taking out cash from the safe when one guard was suddenly grabbed from behind. Malwetse further said, a scuffle ensued between him and the suspects, who wanted to take his rifle.
“In the process, a shot went off hitting the crew. He was declared dead on the scene. The other security guard fired shots in defense of his colleague, leaving two suspects injured. However, he was also grabbed from behind, pointed with a firearm, and forced into the security vehicle.
“He handed the money outside the safe to the suspects and jumped into the safe, while the suspects still focused on the money. The suspects fled the scene with the security vehicle, leaving the security guard who was locked in the safe a few kilometres away,” she said.
Malwetse added that they abandoned the vehicle in the middle of the road. She said an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.
“Following the sterling investigation by the Hawks team, a warrant of arrest was issued based on the positive evidence that linked Cumbane to the case, he was arrested at Odendaalsrus in Free State.
“He appeared before the court and the case was postponed to 26 January 2024,” said Malwetse.
Batsadi ba baithuti ba Grade 11 kwa sekolong se segolo sa Mankuroane ba eme ka tlhako ele nngwe, mme ba kaile fa ba sa amogele dipholo tsa bana ba bone. Go ya ka dipego, bontsi jwa baithuti ba Grade 11 kwa sekolong seo, ga ba falola mme seo sene sa tshakgatsa batsadi.
Mo letsatsing la Labobedi, batsadi ba ne ba kokwana kwa sekolong le go ipelaetsa. Ba kaile fa gona le dikgogakgogano ma gareng ga barutabana le mokgogo, jaanong barutabana ba dirisa baithuti go lwantsha mogokgo.
Mongwe wa batsadi o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe, o kgwa ka tlhaa.
“Nna, ngwanake o paletswe ke go fetela kwa mophatong wa marematlou, mme matsapa e nnile serutwa sa English. Ke makadiwa ke gore, go tloga ka se seripa (term) sa ntlha go fitlha ka sa boraro, ngwanake kgale a falola. Jaanong, go tla jang gore a tle go palelwa ka seripa sa bone?
“Ene ya re fa go bulwa dikolo ka seripa sa bobedi, go ile ga nna le tsereganyo. Mo tsereganyong eo, re le batsadi re ne ra kopa go nna le kopano le barutabana ba dirutwa tse di nang le mathata. Fela, go ile ga tla barutabana ba le babedi fela go tswa mo go ba le supa,” motsadi wa tlhalosa.
Motsadi o are, baithuti le bone ba ile ba makadiwa ke dipholo tse ba di boneng. Are ga gona gore ngwana e kare a kwadile dipampiri tse tharo tsa serutwa sa English, a be a tla go palelwa ke go falola.
Motsadi o mongwe, Tshepiso Kobetseng are mo ngwageng o fetileng, ba ile ba kopana le mogokgo ka di 13 Sedimonthole. Kobetseng are baithuti ba, go bontsha fa ba paletswe ke go falola ka bontsi.
“Jaanong, re ne ra dumalana gore re tla nna le kopano ka di 16 Ferikgone 2024, go tla go seka-seka kgang e. Sebakwa segolo ene ele morutabana wa serutwa sa English o kgale a seo. Fela, re makaditswe ke gore gompieno fa re goroga, mogokgo ga tlhole a bua puo e re ne re dumalane ka yone, mme ebile are re ye kwa motsamaising wa kgaolo.
“Re ile ra kopa ditlankana tsa baithuti go netefatsa fa ele boamaruri ga ba falola. Fela mogokgo o ile a re bolelela fa gona le molao o ba kganelang go ka dira jalo. Jaanong, seo se ne sa re tlogela ka dipotso tse di senang di karabo,” Kobetseng wa tlhalosa.
Modula-setilo wa lekgotlha-tsamaiso la sekolo, Tshepiso Matsitle are: “Ga ese ke itemogele go sa utlwane ga barutabana le mogokgo. Le kgang ya gore barutabana ba goga maoto fa go tshwanetse ba rute bana, e ntsha mo ditsebeng tsaka.
“Fela fa ele gore kgang eo ena le bo nnete, ke selo se se maswe gore barutabana ba goge maoto, ka ntlheng ya gore ba lwa le mogokgo. Se se ileng sa nna teng mo sekolong ke ka motsi wa tsereganyo e eneng e kopilwe ke sekolo.”
Matsitle are ka maswabi, barutubana ga ba iponatsa ka nako ya tsereganyo. Are ke barutabana ba le babedi fela ba ba iponagaditseng go tswa mo go ba le supa.
“Jaanong, go fitlha ga jaana ga re itse gore a ngwana ke ene a leng phoso, kgotsa ke morutabana. Ke nnete lekwalo ke le bone, mme re tlile go le neela motsamaisi wa kgaolo go ka tla ka tsiriganyo,” Matsitle wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa Lefapha la Thuto, Mphata Molokwane are Grade 11 ke Grade e e boima go gaisa mo dikolong tse di farologaneng.
“Bontsi jwa baithuti ga ba falola Technical Mathematics, mme ke diprecent di le 44 di le tsa falola. Ka 2019, e nnile di precent dile 85 tsa baithuti ba ba falotseng, mme ka 2020, e nnile diprecent dile 87. Ka 2021, go falotse diprecent dile 85, fa ka 2022 go falotse diprecent dile 94.
“Go ya ka dipalopalo, sekolo se ke se se dirang bontle, mme ga se re utlwe ka dikgoga-kgogano tse di umakilweng magareng ga mogokgo le barutabana,” Molokwane wa tlhalosa.
The newly-elected municipal speaker at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Kealeboga Seboko said they hope the intervention that will be brought forward by the North West MEC for Cooperative, Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi will be in line with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000.
Maloyi had a consultative engagement with the GTLM councillors at Pudimoe Community Hall on 16 January 2024 inquest to bring intervention. This comes after the municipality turned into a “butt of jokes” for having not one, but two mayors, two municipal speakers, and two chief whips, all from the ANC.
“We had a consultative engagement with Maloyi and what we are waiting to hear from him is the recommendation from all challenges we presented to him. We hope that the recommendations will be in line with the Municipal Act.
“At the end of the day, the municipal council is the statutory body that makes its own decisions, although he has the right to give advice and bring intervention if need be. His intervention comes after he received a letter from the former municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai due to some challenges experienced at the municipality,” he said.
Seboko said if what they raised found expression earlier, the municipality would not be in this predicament.
Maloyi said he received information that there is instability in the municipality, hence his visit. He said what is happening in the municipality is shocking because they do not want any political or administrative instability in any municipality across the province.
“So, this one came as a shock, hence I came here. I wanted to understand why people are behaving in the manner in which they are behaving. I allowed councillors to interact with me and I listened to them.
“They have raised about 29 points, which we have noted. So this morning, I’ll be meeting with my legal team for us to discuss what kind of intervention can be implemented at this institution,” he said.
Maloyi further said once they have done so, then he will go to the executive council and recommend the appropriate action that must be taken. He added that he hopes all this happens before the end of this week.
F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti alleged that what is happening at the municipality are individuals who are serving the interests of warring factions. Moeti said they have reflected on critical challenges within the municipality and their challenges started when they were dealing with the appointment of the municipal manager position.
“We urge Maloyi to go deeper into this matter and do forensic investigations. All other issues that people raised were economical with Maloyi. There are serious challenges related to finance, investment accounts and it is imperative to investigate such.
“So, we believe that Maloyi will make recommendations. Also, those who posed themselves to different positions such as mayoral, chief whip and speaker positions are doing that for personal interests,” he said.
“However, we call them to desist from that and have the interest of the people at heart. The MEC must bring stability to the municipality.”
Gaoraelwe spokesperson, Crespo Menyatso said: “What is important is that we must appreciate the fact that Maloyi availed himself to listen to the challenges the municipality has. Now, the ball is in his court and we must allow that process to be ventilated.
“I was also told that Maloyi will cast his net wider and probe all widespread allegations raised during the meeting. So, we must allow him that particular space. I think the municipal council will also subject itself to that particular decision.”
Picture: The firearms confiscated during the raid/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three suspects aged (36), (34), and (26), who were arrested after being found to have firearms in Alabama, Klerksdorp on 15 January 2024, are expected to appear in Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court today. The trio was arrested by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Klerksdorp-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Priority Crime Management Centre, Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, Local Criminal Record Centre, and the District Illegal Mining Task team during an intelligence-driven operation to track down perpetrators involved in business burglaries in the area.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said the meticulous investigation by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime, led the team to Alabama Township, where an Audi TT was spotted. She said the vehicle did not stop when the team directed it to do so.
“A shoot-out ensued between the police and suspects. Three suspects were arrested and four firearms were recovered in the vehicle. A follow-up investigation led the team to a farm in Hartebeesfontein and Alabama, where a substantial number of various calibre ammunition, firearms, and explosives were recovered.
“The firearms are linked to a burglary that occurred at business premises at Irene Park, near Klerksdorp during December 2023. The suspects are facing charges of business burglary and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition,” said Malwetse.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said to support schools and identify any issues that might affect effective teaching and learning at the start of the academic year, the department has been conducting School Readiness Monitoring (SRM).
Motsumi said the department is working tirelessly to address these issues as soon as possible at the right level of the system. She further said a lot of work has gone into making sure that all of the schools in the province are prepared to offer quality teaching and learning on the first day in classes as the academic year resumes.
“Officials and Circuit Managers from the province were part of the monitoring team. Observational domains examined in the evaluation of readiness for school were the South African School Administration Management System (SA-SAMS), school admissions, provision of teachers, and provision of LTSM.
“They were also part of social cohesion and equity and school sports and enrichment curriculum management, ICT, school safety, coding and robotics, national school nutrition programme (NSNP),” said Motsumi.
She added that the provision of quality infrastructure with emphasis on safe water, sanitation and learner transport in all four districts were part of the discussions. Motsumi said while the SRM revealed widespread compliance with provincial application deadlines, they acknowledged the remaining challenges.
“The late applications persist, despite our continuous awareness campaigns. Nevertheless, our schools uphold non-discriminatory admission policies. Every child, regardless of documentation status deserves an equal right to education. Most of our schools are fully equipped for learners’ return.
“We want to guarantee a smooth start to the academic year and our extensive school readiness monitoring efforts demonstrate our commitment to quality education for all. The department remains dedicated to improving education delivery in the province,” she said.
Motsumi said the SRM findings will guide targeted interventions and ensure optimal learning environments for all students. Furthermore, she said the department will host the National Senior Certificate Results announcement at Sun City Resort, near Rustenburg on Friday.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape will visit Dingake Primary School in Verdwaal as part of the school re-opening activities for the 2024 academic year. Maape spokesperson, Sello Tatai said during Maape’s 2023 State of the Province Address (SOPA), he indicated that Dingake Primary and 300 other schools will benefit from the introduction of breakfast as part of an intensified programme to serve two meals a day to learners from less privileged communities.
“The initiative, which is being implemented through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), is aimed at mitigating the impact of poverty on learners from communities grappling with various challenges of socio-economic concern.
“To date, the government continues to feed 744 320 learners in more than 1300 schools across the province. Maape’s visit will commence at 10am,” he said.
Picture: Some of materials confiscated during the raid/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three men were arrested for being in possession of unwrought gold bearing material. Gideon Gaotingwe Mangope (57) , Mahlatse Manyaka,( 32) and Monnaotsile Christop Lebuowane (38) briefly appeared in the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court on 15 January 2024.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said, on 11 January 2024, the Rustenburg-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in collaboration with Bidvest Security received a tip-off regarding the suspects, who were alleged to be busy washing platinum bearing material at the Impala Minpro Processing Plant.
Malwetse further said when the police arrived at the scene, they found three suspects busy washing the platinum bearing material inside the batching stations at the floaters, where spillage overflowed. She added that, the suspects fled the scene when they spotted the police.
“However, the police gave chase and arrested them. Eleven bags containing unwrought gold bearing material were found and seized. The trio was subsequently charged with possession of unwrought gold bearing material. They have been remanded in custody and the case was postponed to 19 January 2024,” she said.
A man (25) who was arrested for business robbery, has been remanded in custody until 17 January 2024 for legal advice. Asley Morake briefly appeared in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Morake was arrested in connection with a business robbery at Borolelo Market Tuck Shop. Myburgh further said a victim (36) was closing his business on Saturday night (13 January 2024), when three unknown suspects, one armed with a knife, allegedly confronted him.
“Two of the suspects allegedly closed the shop’s door and the other one guarded the door of the shop. They ordered him to hand over his cell phone and the victim started to scream when one of the suspects stabbed him twice in the back with the knife. One of the suspects jumped over the counter and took the money.
“Meanwhile, the community members heard the noise, came to the rescue of the victim, and one suspect was arrested. The police are still looking for the other two suspects. A victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked all members and the community for their collaborative efforts and quick response that resulted in the arrest.
A woman (24) briefly appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court for fraud and money laundering. In October 2022, Phindile Zamahlubi Hadebe and other suspects allegedly intercepted an email communication between South African and Zimbabwean companies.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said Hadebe allegedly amended the South African company’s banking details and the money was paid into another unknown account to be paid into various accounts.
“Following an investigation by the Hawks Serious Crime Investigation, eight warrants of arrest were issued. On 15 January 2024, information was received regarding the whereabouts of one of the suspects.
“A sting operation was planned between the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation teams from Klerksdorp and Mahikeng, as well as the Hawks Head Office’s Tactical Operational Management Sections (TOMS), the warrant of arrest was executed and the suspect was arrested in Johannesburg,” she said.
Hadebe appeared before Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on fraud and money laundering charges worth R24 million. Malwetse said the case was postponed to 18 January 2024.
The Guardian 