By OBAKENG MAJE

A-25-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Atamelang Regional Court for raping a girl (19). On the night of 6 December 2020, the complainant and two of her cousins arrived at their home from a tavern in Ottosdal.

Lucky Tshepang Mothowatlhaga subsequently accosted her, while she was knocking on the door.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, this happened, while the victim’s two cousins were also knocking on the opposite door of the house.

Mamothame further said, that Mothowatlhaga then dragged her to his residence, at which the two cousins rushed to the neighbour’s house to call for help.

“At the time they came back to assist, the two had already disappeared. Upon arrival at his residence, the accused threatened the complainant with a knife before repeatedly raping her. He only let her leave the following morning.

“The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested and granted bail. However, Mothowatlhaga failed to appear before the court and he was re-arrested. His bail was revoked and pleaded not guilty to the charge,” he added.

In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Edward Manicus, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, as there were no compelling circumstances to do so.

Magistrate Stefanus Du Toit agreed with the state and stressed the seriousness and prevalence of the offense, as well as the traumatic experience suffered by the complainant. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm and his name was ordered to be registered in the register of sexual offenders. 

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Detective Mmolawa from the South African Police Service, and other role players for a collaboration that yielded a successful conviction.

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players celebrating a victory

OBAKENG MAJE

Banyana Banyana continues to reap the benefits of their hard work and this was evident when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the nominations for the 2023 CAF Awards on Tuesday.  The nominees were selected based on performances between December 2022 and November 2023 and the awards will be hosted in Morocco on 11 December 2023.

Banyana Banyana is the reigning champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and made history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by becoming the first South African senior national team to make it past the group stages of a FIFA tournament.

CAF said: “A distinguished panel made up of CAF Technical Experts, Legends, and selected media representatives decided on the nominees, taking into consideration their performances at all levels from December 2022 to November 2023.”  

Ellis is up for the Coach of the Year award, which she has claimed on three consecutive occasions (2018, 2019, and 2022). Six players are nominated for the Player of the Year award, which has been previously won by Noko Matlou and Thembi Kgatlana in 2008 and 2018 respectively.

CAF Awards 2023 nominations for South Africa:

National Team of the Year – South Africa (Banyana Banyana)

Coach of the Year – Desiree Ellis

Goalkeeper of the Year – Andile Dlamini and Kaylin Swart

Young Player of the Year – Thubelihle Shamase

Interclub player of the Year – Lebohang Ramalepe

Player of the Year – Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, and Andile Dlamini.

In other nominations for South African football, Bafana Bafana stars, Percy Tau and Ronwen Williams were each nominated in two categories. Tau is part of the 30-man list for the Player of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year. Williams is nominated for Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year categories.

Kaizer Chiefs’ Ranga Chivaviro also made the cut for the Interclub Player of the Year category.

The Mamelodi Sundowns men’s and women’s teams are nominated under the Team of the Year category.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Taung are looking for six suspects who allegedly robbed members of stokvel R11 000. It is alleged that, the members of stokvel were counting money at a certain house in Lokaleng village, near Taung on Saturday when the suspects pounced on them.

According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, the police are investigating the matter.

“The victims were counting the Stokvel money. After counting, six suspects entered the premises and pointed them with firearms and knives. They threatened the victims and ordered them to hand the money over. No arrests were made yet,” she said.

Meanwhile, the suspects are allegedly known to the victims and the arrests is imminent.

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Picture: Drugs allegedly confiscated during operation/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for dealing in drugs. This comes after the police received a tip-off about alleged drug dealing at Pabalello, near Upington during Operation Shanela on Friday. The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said, the Upington Border Police and K9 police, followed up and searched the identified house.

Masegela further said they seized cocaine to the value of R90 720, dagga to the value of R1 300, and an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of drugs were confiscated.

“The suspect is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court soon. The continuous fight against drug dealing by the police in the ZF Mgcawu District led to the arrest,” he said.

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Picture The CAF logo  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The CAF Coaching Convention has re-admitted the South African Football Association (SAFA), paving the way for South Africa to host the CAF A License Coaching diploma from 13-20 November 2023. The prestigious course will be divided into four phases and requires a total of 200 hours of study.

SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok said, among the selected batch of coaches from 65 applications, a total of 25 participants can now look forward to earning their coveted CAF A badges by June 2024. Steenbok expressed his satisfaction about this turn of events and said they are extremely excited about the upcoming course.

“We believe that, the association has taken a big step forward by being back in the convention. CAF regulations stipulate that, head coaches must possess either a Pro or CAF A license before sitting on benches during continental competitions like the Champions League and the Confederations Cup, leading us towards empowering our local talented coaches.

“Earlier this year, we expressed that, our goal was to ensure that coaches are fully equipped for their duties. A significant achievement towards this objective is the re-introduction of the CAF A License, which is considered as a major accomplishment to SAFA’s Coach Education department,” he said.

Steenbok further said they anticipate that, more courses will be available for both male and female coaches by 2024. He added that, it has been six years since they conducted the CAF B and A course in South Africa, however, they have managed to get accreditation and satisfy the new manuals’ requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“The coaches listed below have been accepted into the course with success: Alliance Kubayi, Alex Zondi, Bilton Musonda, Boebie Solomons, Bongani Manzini, Carol Kanyemba, Dennis Makinka, Eric Tinkler, Gavin Hunt, Godfrey Sapula, Grand de Smidt, Jabulani Mendu, Kabelo Malapane, Lunga Ngwane, Marcus Mashilo, Monde Hlatshwayo, Nkosana Mabhena, Pogiso Makhoye, Sailor Tshabalala, Steve Barker, Tiro Van Rooyen, Tlisane Motaung, Thulani Mthimkulu, Wesley Segel and Zane Ryklief.

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has named his final 23-member squad for this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda. Broos’ charges host Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 18 November 2023 and then travel to East Central Africa, to face Rwanda on 21 November 2023.

Broos said, he has confidence in the players he has selected to get the World Cup qualifying campaign off to a good start. He said striker, Lyle Foster was not part of the team that was named on Friday afternoon.

“The Burnley player’s omission was due to a medical problem. I spoke to the doctor of the club and to the coach, and they asked me to be discreet about it. Lyle is a good player and has progressed a lot in the last year.

“He did very well also in the English Premier League with Burnley and already scored three times this season. This is the kind of player you always want in your team, certainly when those important games are coming up. But it is what it is and we cannot change it. We hope he will recover as soon as possible,” said Broos.

He further said the team will go into camp at the University of Pretoria on 13 November 2023 and travel to Durban on 17 November 2023. Broos added that, after playing Benin in the coastal city, they will travel to Rwanda on 19 November 2023 and return to South Africa on 22 November 2023.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

One suspect has been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Klerksdorp for being in possession of unwrought gold. Sam Nxumalo (58) briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 10 November 2023.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said, the members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in collaboration with the Klerksdorp District Illicit Mining Task Team received a tip-off on Thursday about a suspect, who was allegedly spotted in possession of suspected gold in Klerksdorp CBD.

Mathebula said the information was operationalized and the team pounced on the suspect. He further said, the suspect was searched and a gold button as well as red soil suspected to be gold-bearing material, were found in his possession.

“The team further searched the suspect’s house, which led to a discovery of red, black, and grey soil suspected to be gold-bearing material. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of unwrought gold.

“He appeared in court this morning and his matter was postponed to 15 November 2023 for formal bail application,” said Mathebula.

Meanwhile, the North West Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, welcomed the arrest and expressed gratitude for the positive information received from an informant.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two men were allegedly kidnapped by the same vehicle in separate incidents in Douglas. It is alleged that Donovan Malan (33) was last seen getting into a vehicle on 3 July 2023. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said, Sidney Louw (19) was also allegedly kidnapped by the same vehicle on 24 July 2023.

“The Police Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating two alleged kidnapping incidents. The police are requesting information regarding the whereabouts of these two men and are offering a reward for positive information, that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect/s.

“All information will be treated with the strictest of confidence and can be forwarded to D/Col Corrie Coghlan on 071 686 0020. The investigation continues,” he said.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Mosimanyana wa dingwaga dile 3 o nwetse mo kanaleng kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile, gaufi le Taung mo letsatsing la maabane. Go begwa fa mosimanyana o, a ne a tshameka kgwele ya dinao le ditsala tsa gagwe fa kgwele ya gagwe ene e wela mo kanaleng.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima kwa sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen, o tlhalositse fa moswi a ne a tsena mo metsing ka maitlhomo a go ntsha kgwele ya gagwe.

“Moswi one a gogolwa ke metsi, mme a nwela. Setopo sa gagwe sene sa bonwa kwa motseng wa Manokwane. Jaaka sepodisi, re butse kgetsi ya dipatlisiso tsa morago ga loso,” Van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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