The most wanted suspects were arrested during a tracing operation on 8 November 2023. This comes after a tracing team from Roodepan Detectives, led by Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Mashodi, embarked on a tracing operation.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, that 13 suspects who have been on the run from the police for attempted murder, malicious damage to property, assault GBH, robbery, Animal Protection Act, and contravention of protection orders were nabbed.
“The suspects have been evading court appearance dates and one violated court orders. The suspects were arrested at their respective residences in Roodepan.
They appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on 9 November 2023.
Meanwhile, the Frances Baard District Commander, Major General Johan Bean, welcomed the arrests of the accused persons and warned those out on warning or bail to communicate with the Investigating Officers regarding court appearances.
Picture: The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality logo
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in Vryburg, believes that, there is a smear campaign against it in order to distabilise the smooth running of the municipality. This comes after the allegations published in City Press newspaper that, the municipality has paid R38 million for a call centre.
However, the the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joel Motlhasedi, described the allegations as absurd. He alleged that, the allegations were intended to discredit the good name of the municipality.
“As the municipality, we would like to put it on record and provide clarity on the false allegations regarding a tender involving a call centre, which was approved by the council. We can categorically confirm that, a public tender was advertised for prospecting service providers on 2 September 2021.
“Yes, tender is estimated to the tune of R38 million, but is for a period of three years. The bid was advertised for 30 days as prescribed by Section 22 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), where Wcyber Solutions company was appointed by the then acting Municipal Manager, Collen Colane,” said Motlhasedi.
He further said, the Supply Chain Management (SCM) tender processes were followed in awarding the tender and the establishment of the structure was implemented in compliance with the mandate of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG), North West Department of Corporative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) back in 2016.
Motlhasedi added that, the call centre will serve as a Service Delivery Management Centre, Information Dissemination Centre, Disaster Management Centre and an Anti-Corruption & Fraud Hotline.
“Furthermore, the call centre was established to expand the operation of the reception services of calls at the Fire and Disaster offices. The service provider in question is meant to equip the call centre with modern ICT services with technical radios linked to all fire stations and vehicles to ensure the effective response to all service delivery issues in the district for 24 hours a day.
“The municipality’s old call centre, which focused on fire and disaster, was inadequate to accommodate 10 new operators at a time. So, the structure erected, was installed by the service provider at a no fee and intended to create adequate space,” he said.
Motlhasedi said it should be emphasised that, the municipality only paid an amount of R 5.7 million up to so far. He said the budget includes operation, maintenance, Human Resource, insurance and training breakdown.
“Though, it has been four months since the service provider not being paid as there are invoices that have not yet been signed to date. The employees who work at the centre have not been reporting to duty due to non-payment of their salaries. However, the call centre remains active.
“Currently, the Municipal Manager is intervening on resolving the payment issues between the municipality and the service provider. The so-called “whistle-blower” proven himself to be a person, who is dishonest and an unreliable character who is not to be trusted as he is making use of his personal vendettas to cause conflict within the municipality with his baseless and unsubstantiated rumours,” said Motlhasedi.
He alleged that, the ‘whistle-blower’ has been interdicted from participating in activities of the council by his political party due to allegations of corruption and fraud levelled against him.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs is set to hold an oversight meeting with the municipality over the allegations at Committee Room 2 on Friday at 12pm.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said, in an effort to address the ongoing illegal mining in Kimberley, they have established a multi-disciplinary team that executed an illegal mining operation on 8 November 2023.
Kock said a concerted intelligence-driven operation focusing on illegal mining in Kimberley, netted 14 undocumented persons and confiscated a significant amount of mining equipment. He further said the police from the Frances Baard District, Crime Intelligence unit, K9 Unit, Flying Squad, Tactical Response Team, Mounted unit, Ekapa Mine Security, Sol Plaatje Security, Local Traffic and the Department of Home Affairs executed the operation.
“Undocumented persons from Lesotho and Zimbabwe comprising 11 men and 3 women, were arrested at the Kenilworth mining area, close to Samaria Road in Kimberley,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Frances Baard District Commissioner, Maj Gen Johan Bean, commended the police and reiterated that illegal mining is one of the priorities the police will be focusing on during the festive season and beyond.
Go begwa fa moithuti wa Grade 11 kwa sekolong se segolwane sa Seabo kwa Kokomeng, gaufi le Taung, a tlogetswe ka dikgobalo morago ga go thulwa ke morutabana ka sejanaga. Go ya ka dipego, tiragalo e, e diragetse kwa motseng ka di 13 Diphalane 2023.
Go begwa fa morutabana wa sekolo sa Seabo, mme a tswa kwa porofenseng ya Kwazulu Natal, a ne a kopana le moithuti o, Trimony Mmekwane (17) mo tseleng mme a mo thula ka sejanaga. Go ya ka dipego, morutabana o, one a inaya naga morago ga tiragalo.
Sebueledi sa Lefapha la Thuto mo Bokone Bophirima, Mphata Molokwane are, moithuti o, one a itemogela dikgobalo mo leotong le mo mokotleng. Molokwane are, moithuti o, one a rwalelwa kwa bookelong, mme one a lokololwa morago ga matsatsi a le mararo.
“Ga jaana, moithuti o, o kwala ditlhatlhobo tsa bofelo jwa ngwaga. Go begwa fa morutabana o, a ne a setse a itokolotse kwa tirelong fa tiragalo e e diragala.
“Batsadi ba moithuti o, ba ne ba ya go bega molato kwa sepodisi, mme go begwa fa morutabana o, a setse a boetse kwa gabo kwa Kwazulu Natal. Go fitlha ga jaana, dipatlisiso di tsweletse,” Molokwane wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima kwa sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are: “Ga gona kgetsi e e butsweng kgatlhanong le mokgweetsi wa sejanaga, gonne go sena motho o a boning dikgobalo. Jaaka sepodisi, re ile ra bula kgetsi ya kotsi ya sejanaga (Accident Report) fela.
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Taung Regional Court for rape. Kgorotlhe Thomas Kgatlhane (31) was arrested after a spate of incidents, where terrorised women in Magogong and Maphoitsile villages, near Taung through his violent acts between 2011 and 2016.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Kgatlhane who in most cases operated alone, but often with two accomplices, would attack women walking at night, rob them and take turns to rape them. Mamothame said he was later arrested on 30 June 2017 and remained in police custody until the completion of the trial.
“He was linked to the rapes through DNA specimens but pleaded not guilty to all charges. The police are still searching for his accomplices. Kgatlhane was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two counts of rape.
“He was also sentenced to 10 years on each of the two counts of rape and 15 years on each of the two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm and further ordered for his name to be entered in the register of sexual offenses,” he said.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Zoleka Majikijela, urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment, as there were no substantial and compelling circumstances. Majikijela further led the Victim Impact Statements, wherein the victims described the emotional and physical trauma they live with daily as a result of their ordeal.
Magistrate Thataetsile Matolong agreed with the state and added that the court has the responsibility in sending a strong message against perpetrators of such violent acts.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the collaboration between the prosecutor, Captain Obakeng Phirichwane, and the Court Preparation Officer in ensuring that the perpetrator is brought to book.
Picture: The woman who identified herself as Lillian Mongale/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The police in Reivilo are requesting community assistance in locating the next-of-kin of a woman. According to the North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma, the woman who identified as Lillian Mongale, was found roaming around farms in Reivilo on 7 November 2023.
“Mongale seems to be mentally unstable and she could not remember where she is residing. She also has no identification and is approximately in her early 20s.
“Anyone who can assist in locating her family can contact Warrant Officer Kelebogile Moeng of Reivilo Detectives on 082 822 3251. Alternatively, you can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 and anonymous tip-off can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smartphone,” she said.
Setshwantsho: Dipudi tse go begwang fa ele tsa bogodu/Setshwantsho-papiso
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Banna ba le babedi ba kwa motseng wa Dikhuting, gaufi le Taung ba ba ne ba tshwarwa le go latofatswa ka go utswa dipudi dile 29 kwa motseng wa Manthe, ba tlhotse ba shadikantse matlho kwa kgotlha-tshekelong ya Klerksdorp mo letsatsing la gompieno.
Koronovea Modise le Keboikile Scotch Molefe, ba ne ba lelelwa ke ditshipi kwa tsela-kgolong ya N12, kwa motse-setoropong wa Jouberton, gaufi le Klerksdorp ka di 2 Ngwanatsele 2023. Go begwa fa Modise le Molefe, ba ne ba tshwarwa morago ga go fitlhelwa ka dipudi di le 29 tse go belaelwang fa ele tsa bogodu.
Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba utswa dipudi tseo kwa motseng wa Manthe, mme ga fitlhelwa fa ele tsa monna mongwe wa morui, eleng Thapelo “Raider” Katong. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, batlhankela ba sepodisi ba ba ne ba le mo tirong, ba ne ba bona sejanaga se se belaetsang, mme ba se sala morago.
“Bane ba se emisa, mme ba kopa mokgweetsi go ka lekola sejanaga seo. Batlhankela ba sepodisi, ba kaile fa ba fitlhetse dipudi dile 29 kwa morago ga sejanaga seo (van). Banna ba, ba ne ba tshwarwa.
“Banna ba, ba lebagane le kgetsi ya go tshwara ka dipudi tse go belaelwang ele tsa bogodu,” Funani wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sepueledi sa National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Henry Mamothame are, Molefe le Modise ba neetswe beile ya R700 mongwe le mongwe, mme kgetsi ya bone e buseditswe morago go fitlha 12 Sedimonthole 2023 fa dipatlisiso di tsweletse.
Six people who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Koketso Ntsimane (37) were sentenced to jail by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase on 7 November 2023. On 27 October 2021, Ntsimane went missing in Mapaputle village, outside Mogwase.
North West police spokesperson, Captain Aafje Botma said, that although Ntsimane’s motor vehicle was also stolen, it was later recovered. Botma said, the subsequent investigation into the matter, led to the arrest of Ali Banda (55), Thabang Masiane (28), Tshepiso Mqoma (29), Kagiso Morutlwa (28), Solomon Lambane (57), and Thabang Mokoka (31).
“The suspects were arrested on 7 and 8 December 2021. Further investigation into the matter, led the police to the discovery of Ntsimane’s badly decomposed body in the bushes in Mapaputle village.
“The accused’s bail applications were successfully opposed. Thus, they have been in custody since their arrest. Banda, Masiane, and Mqoma were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. They were further sentenced to 15 years for robbery aggravating, 5 for defeating the ends of justice, and another 5 years imprisonment for kidnapping,” she said.
Botma further said, that Morutlwa, Lambane, and Mokoka, were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery aggravating, and kidnapping.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, applauded the investigation team led by Captain Lefty Motswadi of Mogwase Detectives, as well as advocate Baitsi Chulu and advocate Dibuseng Ntsala from prosecution for their collaboration that resulted in the conviction.
They further pointed out that the sentence, which was secured through collective efforts by the entities, will definitely send a clear message that, those who commit crimes will not be tolerated.
Picture: Three children died in a shack fire/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three children died after their shack was ravaged by fire in Richmond Plakkerskamp on 6 November 2023. The North Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, that on Monday at approximately 11pm, the mother and her four children were asleep when a fire broke out in their shack.
“The mother managed to escape with a boy (2). Unfortunately, two girls aged 4 and 10 and a boy aged 6 died on the scene. The exact cause of the fire is unknown.
“The police are investigating an inquest following the tragic deaths. Anyone with information can call D/Const, Rodney Julies on 0823020371. The investigation continues,” said Kock.
Picture: North West Premier, Bushy Maape taking his shoes off
By REGINALD KANYANE
North West Premier, Bushy Maape is expected to resume his duties after a long lay-off. In June 2023, Maape took ill following a minor orthopedic surgery.
He was subsequently advised by his medical team to take a rest while receiving medical attention. The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi said, Maape has since been medically advised that he has sufficiently recovered to resume his duties as Premier with effect from 13 November 2023.
“Maape’s programme and engagement with stakeholders will be communicated in due course. As the North West acting Premier, I would like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues in the North West Executive Council and all stakeholders for their support and well wishes during Maape’s recovery,” he said.
The Guardian 