Picture: The suspected stolen Nissan NP200 discovered/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

More than 617 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela, conducted across North West province on 2-6 November 2023. The suspects arrested were amongst others, for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary of residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle, theft out of/from motor vehicle, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said, of the 617 arrested suspects, 181 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), assault common, house robbery and business robbery.

She further said, moreover, 65 undocumented persons were taken in for processing.

“The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects, and many others.

“The operation also resulted in the confiscation of mandrax tablets, four dangerous weapons, three handguns, one rifle, 29 rounds of ammunition, 20 cellular phones, liquor and copper cables,” said Funani.

She added that, during Operation Shanela conducted in Mahikeng on 2 November 2023, a man (25) was arrested for being in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.

“During this joint intelligence-led operation, police followed up on a tip-off about suspects possessing a suspected stolen vehicle. They immediately went to his home and a search was conducted.

“Subsequently, a white Nissan NP 200, which was reported hijacked at Mmabatho early October 2023, was seized as well as an empty 9mm magazine, nine rounds of rifle ammunition, and three shotgun ammunition were recovered,” said Funani.

She said the suspects, who were arrested during Operation Shanela, are expected to appear in different courts around the province today and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for these successes and thanked the police for working hard to keep suspects behind bars in the province.

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Picture: The missing man, Katlego King Sedumedi/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The police in Phokeng request the community’s assistance to locate a missing person, Katlego “King” Sedumedi (24), who is residing at GG Section, near Tlhabane. Sedumedi was last seen by his sister on 24 October 2023.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said, a search was conducted by the police, family and community around the neighbourhoods of Tlhabane and Phokeng without any success. Funani said, during Sedumedi’s disappearance, he was wearing a black T-shirt and black trouser.

“He is dark in complexion and has brown eyes with a medium built body. He is 1.3m tall with short black hair. Anyone with information regarding Sedumedi’s whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Johanna Masenya of Phokeng Detectives on 082 5487195, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

“Anonymous tip-off can be communicated via the MySAPS App,” she said.

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Setshwantsho: Monna o oneng a begwa fa a timetse, Major Okedutse Itumeleng o bonwe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Monna wa kwa Vryburg yo oneng a begwa fa a timetse, Major Okedutse Itumeleng (47), o bonwe ke bangwe ba baagi a rapaletse fa thoko ga tsela kwa motseng wa Kroondal, gaufi le Rustenburg. Go begwa fa Itumeleng one ana le dintho tsa go teketiwa.

Go begwa fa Itumeleng, a amogetswe kwa bookelong jwa Job Shimankane Tabane ka dikgobalo tse di masisi. Go ya ka dibego, one a teketiwa ke batho ba bas a itsiweng.   

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Leftenente Kolonele, Amanda Funani are, go begwa fa Itumeleng, ane a tseelwa dilwana tsa gagwe jaaka karata ya banka ga mmogo le mogala wa letheka.

“Go begwa fa Itumeleng a ne a pegwa ke banna ba le babedi mo sejanageng ka 27 Diphalane 2023 go tswa kwa Vryburg, mme ba kaya fa ba leba kwa Johannesburg. Go begwa fa Itumeleng, a ne a leba kwa toropong ya Johannesburg fa se, sene se diragala. Fela, banna ba, ba ne ba leba kwa Rustenburg.

“Sepodisi ga mmogo le baagi ba kwa Vryburg, ba ne ba bolotsa letsema la go batlana le Itumeleng, fela ga seka ga nna le nko e e tswang lemina. Re le sepodisi, re leboga baagi ba ba thusitseng mo go boneng Itumeleng,” Funani wa tlhalosa.

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Picture: Head of Department at North West Health Department/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha has suspended the Head of Department (HoD), Obakeng Mongale (52), pending contravention of Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) over R470 million tender case. 

This comes after Mongale’s arrest by the Hawks last week.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Mongale who is former Head of Department at North West Public Works and Roads, briefly appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 2 November 2023, for alleged contravention of Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1 of 1999.

Mamothame said, Mongale handed himself over to the police on 2 November 2023. He further alleged that, in 2008, Mongale awarded IIima Projects and Tsoga Developers a tender to the tune of over R470 million to construct Brits Hospital.

“The investigations by Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, revealed that, the two companies were awarded the tender without meeting requirements. In 2010, Ilima Projects was allegedly placed under provisional liquidation, which resulted in the termination of the contract.

“A new company was appointed to complete the construction of the hospital. The department had spent over R57 million when the contract was terminated. The new contractor had to carry out two major remedial work amounting to more than R4 million, which resulted in the extension of time and cost, which constituted wasteful expenditure,” he said.

Mamothame added that, Mongale was released on R50 000 00 bail and his case was postponed to 31 January 2024 for further investigation. He said, Mongale has been ordered to hand in his passport to the investigating officer and not to communicate with state witnesses.

“Court further ordered the accused not to leave the province without informing the investigating officer,” said Mamothame.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the North West, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded both the investigation and prosecution team for working in collaboration towards ensuring that the accused is brought before court to answer to the allegations against him.

Meanwhile, Sambatha said: “Mongale been granted a special leave of absence to afford him time to deal with allegations of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which have been levelled against him. While Mongale has protested his innocence, it is only fair that he should be given space and time to deal with the allegations.

“I have therefore granted him a special leave of absence pending the finalisation of his court case. Affording Mongale a special leave of absence, will assist the department to seek legal counsel on the matter.”

He said, however, the determination of leave of absence (Clause 26.3) does provide for special leave for various reasons including “for any other purpose”.  Sambatha said he has also taken a decision to appoint the Chief Director for Corporate Services, Dr Madipuo Tlhogane as the acting Superintendent-General for the period of the special leave of absence of the substantive SG.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man has been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for rape. On 13 January 2021, Pogisho Joseph Skalk (27) forcefully entered the house through a window, where he found an elderly woman (62) asleep at Mountain View, near Pampierstad.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said, Shalk assaulted and raped her. Pilane further said the accused was positively linked to the rape through DNA.

“He was arrested on 18 March 2022 and his bail application was successfully denied until he was convicted and sentenced. In addition to the hefty sentence, he was declared unfit to own a firearm,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said, they welcomed the sentence and lauded the good investigative work of Detective Sergeant Daniel Nhlathi of Hartswater FCS Unit. Otola added that they embraced the sentencing and urged the community to take a stand, instead of keep quiet about GBV-related cases.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man has been sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for two counts of rape, sexual assault and robberies. Hans Appie (50), committed these heinous crimes between 2013 and 2014, wherein he terrorised women and children going to school and work, in Pampierstad.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the accused would rob his victims of their belongings and in some instances, assault and rape them. Mamothame said with the youngest of the victims being 17 years of age.

“The police managed to link him to these offences through DNA samples, after he was arrested on 16 March 2014. He was denied bail and he pleaded not guilty to all charges, alleging he was in a love affair with the victims.

“The matter was subsequently transferred to the Taung Regional Court for trial, owing to its serious nature. Appie was sentenced to two life terms on two counts of rape, 15 years for rape, 5 years for sexual assault, 15 years on each of the four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 8 years on each of the two counts of attempted murder,” he said.

Mamothame further said, the court declared that, Appie’s name be registered in the national register of sexual offenders and also declared him unfit to work with children.

In aggravation of sentence, the state senior prosecutor, Adv Zoleka Majikijela, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, considering the seriousness of the offences he committed.

Magistrate Thataetsile Matolong agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the courts have to protect members of society from such offenders.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Sergeant Sidwell Dastile from the South African Police Service and Court Preparation Officer, Molebogeng Oliphant, who provided counselling and guidance to the victims in preparation for trial, for their collaboration in ending the suffering of the women and children in Pampierstad in the hands of the accused.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Two men were killed during a shooting at Vioolsdrift in Nothern Cape on 30 October 2023. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the victims have been identified by their next-of-kin as Coenraad de Beer (54) and James Kriel (56).

“The investigations on the death of two men are underway. The accused, Jacob Dawid Malan Claassens (59), remains in custody until his bail application on 7 November 2023,” she said.

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Picture: A firearm confiscated after a shooting/Generic 

By OBAKENG MAJE

A 34-YEA-OLD man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tlhabane Regional Court for killing his girlfriend (27). On 25 March 2021, Atlholang William Mosiane, who was a law enforcement officer at the Rustenburg Traffic Department, went to his girlfriend’s home in Lefaragatlha, near Tlhabane outside Rustenburg, as they agreed to meet at 7pm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, at the time, the girlfriend had not arrived. Mamothame further said Mosiane proceeded to look for her at her friend’s house in Tlhabane and to no avail.

He added that Mosiane then went back to his girlfriend’s home and found her in her shack.

“He then demanded to check her phone to which she complied, while also telling him not to interrogate her about the content in the phone. An argument ensued and she subsequently took her phone and called her father.

“Upon answering the call, the father heard a gunshot and quickly rushed to the shack, accompanied by the deceased’s younger sister. When they arrived, they found out that, Mosiane had already shot the deceased five times, killing her on the spot,” said Mamothame.

He said, Mosiane then took their son (10) and left the scene. Mamothame said Mosiane later handed himself over to the police and the court granted him bail.

“During court proceedings, he tendered a guilty plea which the state rejected, as it was an attempt to avoid a longer jail term,” he said.

In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Mercia Magano, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, as the accused was a law enforcement officer who had a responsibility to uphold the law.

Magistrate Segakweng Moeng agreed with the state and remarked on the character displayed by the accused of being regretful, but not remorseful.

A life sentence was subsequently imposed for pre-meditated murder.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Warrant Officer Richard Mogongwana, and other role players for their collaboration In bringing the perpetrator to book.

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