A man has been sentenced to three life imprisonment by the Northern Cape High Court for raping and killing his girlfriend. On 20 July 2019, Samuel Blom (33) raped and murdered his girlfriend, Katriena Petro (37).
ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sgt Omphile Masegela said the Petro’s body was found covered with stones by children who were collecting wood in the veld near Dakotaweg. Masehgela said the children went back home to report what they came across in the veld.
“The police attended to the scene and on arrival, they discovered that the body had multiple injuries. The assigned investigating officer, Warrant Officer Stephen Roos, immediately started with investigations, which led him to the arrest of Blom.
“Further investigation revealed that the deceased was attacked at their residence and was removed from the scene by the accused. Blom was sentenced to three life sentences for murder and two counts of rape. He was also sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice,” he said.
Masegela added that all the sentences will run concurrently.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Management commended the excellent investigation by Roos attached to the Upington Detective Branch, which secured this conviction of Femicide.
Picture: Houses submerged in water in Deelpan/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The residents of Deelpan said it’s been two years since the devastating floods destroyed their homes and left them destitute, however, nothing has changed despite promises from the government.
One of the residents, Mamaeng Modisakeng (65) said her life has been turned upside down and she cannot continue to bear the brunt of heavy rains. Modisakeng further said her house was submerged in bodies of water in February 2023.
“The heavy rains struck twice last year. We saw government officials coming to our shores and making promises. However, nothing has changed. There is no communication at all between the government and the people on the ground.
“The trials and devastation of floods continue to be a reminder in our daily lives. I think it will be best if the government implements water and sanitation infrastructure that will barricade water from entering our homes,” she added.
The Democratic Alliance spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) in North West, Freddy Sonakile said R54.9 million was made available by the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to reconstruct damaged homes in Deelpan, but many remain impoverished.
“While the DA acknowledges the provincial government’s intention to rebuild houses for those who were affected as well as to construct new homes for beneficiaries, we believe preference should be given to reconstruct those homes that were damaged by the floods and remain underwater to this day.
“The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi indicated during his Human Settlements Budget Speech this year that, the residents agreed to be relocated to a new site, where the construction of new houses was supposed to be underway.
“Typical of the ANC in government, we only found a vacant plot of land during an oversight inspection of the area. During our engagement with residents, it was clear that the NWPG had failed them. Residents confirmed that several meetings were held with government officials, but nothing tangible has come from those – only empty promises. Many of the affected residents are still forced to share accommodation with relatives and have nowhere else to go,” he said.
Sonakile said the Deelpan story is a sad reminder of how this ANC government has no sympathy for the desperation of citizens. He said two years ago, ANC leaders, Ministers, MECs, and officials swarmed the Deelpan community in blue-light VIP convoys making all sorts of promises to rebuild and uplift the Deelpan community.
“Today, the village is quiet as if no disaster ever took place, with nothing but the remnants of some houses still submerged in water and impassable gravel roads. The NWPG should account for every cent spent to date of the R54.9 million and provide a detailed timeline for when the construction of houses at the identified new site would be completed, along with the bulk infrastructure necessary to service the new development,” said Sonakile.
Meanwhile, the North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi is set to introduce a contractor on Friday. The contractor will build 106 houses for the flood victims.
Speaking on behalf of the department with regard to the introduction of the contractor, The Deputy Director of Human Settlement Quality Assurance, Project Management and Implementation Unit, Macmillan Keboneilwe said: “The department has appointed Gabotloge PTY (LTD) a contractor and is responsible for completing the project of providing houses for the flood victims.
“The appointed contractor will complete the first phase of the project, which includes the construction of 103 housing units in a 5-hectare land allocated by Kgosi Kogodi Molete of Bakolobeng Traditional Authority. It is envisaged that, the project will be completed by March 2024,” said Keboneilwe.
According to Keboneilwe, the department had an initial plan of building temporary structures, but it was rejected by residents citing that they wanted permanent structures, so the department engaged with the Housing Development Agency (HDA) to conduct a preliminary investigation and provide a Geotechnical report as to whether the allocated land is suitable for Human Settlements.
He said the department acknowledges that the project was delayed for a long time due to the investigations and administrative processes and would like to affirm Deelpan residents that they will soon move into their new homes.
“As the department, we are very confident in the appointed contractor and believe that he will complete the project. Gabotloge (PTY) LTD is a very competent construction company with a credible track record in the department for construction of low-cost houses (RDPs),” said Keboneilwe.
The surgery backlog crisis in the North West Department of Health has worsened, says the Democratic Alliance spokesperson on Health, Gavin Edwards. According to Edwards, the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha revealed that, his department is facing a mounting surgery backlog crisis with 9 111 patients on the waiting list to undergo elective surgery in regional and tertiary hospitals throughout the province.
“The ophthalmic surgery case backlog showed the highest increase in North West by 312% from 911 cases recorded during the 2018/19 financial year to 3 756 cases in 2022/23. Orthopaedic surgeries increased by 61% from 1 304 cases to 2894 in 2022/23, and the case backlog for general surgery increased by 57% from 334 cases to 524 cases.
“While the department confirms the significant waiting list for various elective surgical procedures, it indicated that the surgery backlog across all disciplines is set to increase due to a rise in the average life expectancy of patients,” he said.
Edwards further said this is indicative of a department that is unable to deliver quality medical services due to an increase in demand. He added that, clearly the department knows what contributes to the rise in the surgery backlog, but has no intention to respond effectively to reduce extended waiting lists.
“We will write to Sambatha, requesting that he urgently table an implementable action plan to reduce the provincial surgery backlog in North West. We will also propose actionable interventions that will assist in reducing the backlog.
“These include the recruitment and appointment of qualified medical professionals and specialists and the introduction of surgery marathons. The department should also prioritise renovations and repairs to operating theatres currently closed and consider the reopening and recommissioning of unused theatres in community health centres, clinics, and hospitals,” said Edwards.
In addition, he said they will also write to the North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho, requesting that the current backlog of surgical cases be declared a provincial Medical Emergency so that additional funding could be released under Section 25 of the Provincial Financial Management Act (PFMA) to reduce the current backlog.
Edwards said DA governed Western Cape’s Department of Health launched a Surgical Recovery project at Groote Schuur Hospital last year and it slashed its surgery backlog by 1500 elective surgeries – two months ahead of schedule.
“A similar project was successfully launched at the Karl Bremer Hospital. Where the DA governs, we prioritise the health of patients, and we can do the same in North West if residents vote DA in next year’s election,” he said.
*Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane failed to respond to the media inquiry, despite being sent to him four weeks ago.
Picture: The coffin of Sergeant Kediemetse Masilo/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele has called on police officers across the country to be the first to act when they have to use “force proportional to the threat”. Cele made the call when he was addressing hundreds of mourners and police officers at the funeral of Sergeant Kediemetse Masilo in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on Sunday.
Masilo and her colleague, Constable Okaetse Mandindi, who were both attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad, were fatally shot earlier last week while tracing a stolen vehicle in Kimberley. Masilo allegedly died at the hands of her perpetrator, Daniel Alberts, 38, who according to records is a repeat offender.
Alberts has already appeared before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder, three of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one of motor vehicle theft and one of theft.
During the funeral, speaker after speaker decried the killing of police officers, on and off duty. According to statistics, 31 police officers have died on and off duty in the last three months.
Cele supported by the South African Police Service (SAPS) management, and representatives of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) have all urged police officers not to hesitate to act.
“Be vigilant and operationally ready to act in any circumstances. If force is required, it must at all times be necessary, reasonable and proportional.
“I plead with you don’t die with the resources and tools that we have given you,” Cele said.
Meanwhile, Mandindi will be laid to rest on Saturday, 02 September 2023, in Pampierstad.
The commemoration of 34 police officers will also be held on Sunday, 03 September 2023, at the Union Buildings where the SAPS will pay tribute to its fallen heroes and heroines who died in the line of duty in the 2022/2023 financial year.
Picture: The Director of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at North West Social Development, Dr Lorato Gasealahwe/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Director of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at North West Social Development, Dr Lorato Gasealahwe said she is grateful that she took her father’s advice. Gasealahwe, whose childhood dream was to become a Chartered Accountant, has recently been conferred with a Doctorate in Philosophy in Economics and Management at the North West University (NWU).
“My father always emphasised the importance of education. He insisted that it provides independence and freedom to an individual. Even though my parents never went beyond primary school, all they wanted from us was to at least have a post-matric qualification.
“So, I am thankful that we have not disappointed them because each of their 12 children at least has a Degree. I started my educational journey at Myra Primary School in Taung. Upon completing my matric at Pudumoe High School, I enrolled at Vuselela TVET College, which was followed by registering for a Degree in Economics and Public Finance at the University of South Africa (UNISA),” she said.
Gasealahwe said she furthered her studies at the North West University (NWU) and graduated as a post-graduate in Financial Management in 2006. She added that, in 2012, she graduated after obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
“I really do not want to lie, it was not easy, especially studying while working in a demanding environment. I was an administrator in the political office of the former North West Premier, the late Edna Molewa during her tenure at the Department of Tourism, Environment and Conservation.
“I think my humble beginning and the strictness of my parents who always whipped me in the right direction are some of the contributing factors that laid a great foundation. The promotions in my career to tougher portfolios such as researcher at the Department of Economic Development and analyst under the Department of Provincial Treasury also prepared me well,” said Gasealahwe.
She also had a stint at the Naledi Local Municipality in Vryburg as an administrator.
Meanwhile, Gasealahwe’s long-time friend, Bakang Gabanakgosi who is a qualified lawyer and MBA holder, described her attainment as massive.
“This is a testament to her ability to not just survive, but thrive amidst numerous personal and professional challenges. It is a demonstration of her grit, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to her goals. This is a reflection of her determination, resilience, and ability to overcome obstacles.
“Her passion for books is still raging as she is currently on a short course with the Institute of Directors – South Africa. Gasealahwe has already set her sight on another short course that will see her becoming an accountant,” he said.
Gabanakgosi said his friend did all this, despite challenging circumstances prior to COVID-19 and beyond. He said it is a big milestone, especially during Women’s Month commemoration.
Picture: The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Deputy Minister of Presidency, Kenny Morolong said at least 135,000 earning opportunities were created for young people through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative’s (PYEI) National Pathway Management Network between April and June this year.
Morolong revealed this during a media briefing on Monday while updating the nation on the progress made by the PYEI. The PYEI was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020 as an intervention to rising youth unemployment in South Africa.
“Some 108 061 of these were accessed through the SA Youth platform with 27 088 opportunities scored through the Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) website.
“It is critical for the PYEI to receive more funding in order to reach more young people. That is why we are engaging [National] Treasury and are awaiting a pronouncement during the MTBPS period because the recapitalisation of the PYI programme will go a long way in reaching out to many other young people who have yet to transition from learning to earning,” he said.
Morolong further said over 4.1 million young people are participating in the platform at no cost. He added that, there is evidence that they are being linked to opportunities and those opportunities are critical for their livelihoods.
“It is a programme that we intend to sustain and that is why discussions are ensuing with National Treasury to recapitalise it. There is a need to create pathways into the economy for youth not only as employees but as entrepreneurs.
“It is important to get young people to participate in the mainstream economy. This programme is also critical because it exposes young people to self-employment opportunities; that is why we encourage young people to take full advantage of it,” said Morolong.
According to the PYEI dashboard, since its April 2020 inception, some 4.1 million people have registered and are accessing the SA Youth platform and more than 1 million earning opportunities have been secured by young people.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, Lerato Shai, told the media briefing that of the work opportunities accessed by young people, at least 70% of these were accessed by young women.
“What we are learning through SA Youth, is that young women continue to face specific barriers even as progress is being made. In particular, more young women are actually getting educated than young men.
“We are seeing more women that are educated, that are tenacious but they’re still facing substantial barriers once they enter into the labour market with many of them being far less employed and, where they are, earning far less than what men earn in the same jobs,” she said.
Shai said what they do see is that, if there is intentional design in the programmes to really tackle the barriers that are affecting young women, especially in male-dominated sectors, women take up these opportunities and run with them.
“They create new pathways for themselves and what we are really seeing is that, to tip the scale towards more equity, we need a systemic shift. So it’s not about jobs for girls, but employment systems that actually work for women,” she said.
Picture: Two suspects nabbed with illicit cigarettes/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
More than 1,000 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela across the West. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aaftje Botma said the suspects have been arrested for various crimes such as possession of drugs, dealing in drugs, rape, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH).
She said others were charged for assault common, murder, burglary at business and residential premises, for malicious damage to property, for driving under the influence of liquor and undocumented foreign nationals were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials.
“During operation and execution, 5 330 persons, 389 premises and 878 vehicles were searched. The operation also led to the closure of 18 unlicensed liquor premises and 200 licensed liquor premises were inspected.
“Furthermore, the operation led to confiscations of liquor, a variety of drugs, 39 explosives, three dangerous weapons and seven firearms. In one of the operations conducted in Mmabatho on Friday, a white Suzuki Ertiga, which was travelling from Delareyville was stopped during a roadblock on the N18 (Mahikeng/Vryburg) road,” said Botma.
She further said the vehicle was searched and 20 master cases of Remington Gold cigarettes worth R425 040.00 were found. Botma added that, the suspects aged 24 and 34 were arrested after failing to account for the cigarettes.
“The vehicle was also confiscated for further investigation. The suspects briefly appeared at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court today for possession of illicit cigarettes,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Management applauded the dedication of police officers for their active participation in various operations aimed at ensuring the safety and security of their communities.
Baagi ba ba sa itumelang ba kwa motse-setoropong wa Pampierstad ba kaile fa go elela ga metsi a leswe kwa mebileng ya bone go tsenya matshelo a bone mo kotsing. Baagi bano, ba boleletse SABC News fa ba lekile ka bojotlhe go ka buisana le masepala wa selegae wa Phokwane go ka baakanya mafaratlhatlha a kgelelo-leswe, fela boikuelo jwa bone bo sa sekegelwe tsebe.
Mongwe wa baagi, Joseph Khisane wa tlhalosa.
“Rena le lebaka le le telele thata re ntse re itemogela go elela ga metsi a leswe mo tulong ya rona. Ka dinako tse dingwe, re kgona go dula dikgwedi di feta nne rentse re itemogela bothata jo ntle le go bona thuso go tswa kwa masepaleng.
“Seno se ama boitekanelo jwa rona, ebile re setse re tshoga ka seemo sa botshelo se re tshelelang mo go tlase ga sone. Se re se kopang kwa masepaleng, ke go baakanya mafaratlhatlha a bone a kgelelo-leswe gore re tle re bone boikhutso mo matshelong a rona,” Khisane wa tlhalosa.
O mongwe wa baagi, Emelia Ngwenya are ka dinako tse dingwe, bana ba na le go tshamekela mo metsing a leswe ao, mme seo se kotsi thata. Ngwenya o kaile fa ba ile ba patelesega go ka dira mosele wa metsi go efoga gore tsologelo ya kgelelo-leswe e se tsene mo magaeng a bone.
Tebogo Modise le ene o bua puo e lenngwe le baagi bano. Modise are, bontsi jwa bone, ba beile ditene mo magaeng a bone gore ba ke ba kgone go tsamaya sentle go ya kwa mebileng, gonne kgelelo-leswe e tshologela kwa malapeng a bone.
“Ga re sa tlhole re kgona le go tswa mo matlung a rona, gonne metsi a leswe a elela gotlhe fela mo re tsamayang teng. Re ile ra tshwanelwa ke go baya ditene gore re kgone go feta, mme ntle le jalo, o tla iphitlhela o sena mo o gatang teng,” Modise wa tlhalosa.
Sebueledi sa masepala wa Phokwane, Kgalalelo Letshabo are: “Go elela ga kgelelo-leswe e tsweletse go nna tlhoba-boroko. Seno se bakwa ke mafaratlhatlha a tsofetseng a kgelelo-leswe. Fela, gona le porogerama e e tsweletseng kwa Pampierstad e koo mafaratlhatlha a dipeipe tse di gelelang leswe tsa asbestos di tsweletse go ntshiwa, mme go tsenngwa tse dintsha.”
Kgabagare, komishini wa ditshwanelo tsa botho mo Afrika Borwa, e kaile fa e tlile go nna le kopano ga mmogo le baagi le masepala go ka tlisa tharabololo.
Picture: The police attending a crime scene/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 70 suspects were arrested for various crimes across the Northern Cape during a multi-disciplinary operation dubbed Operation Shanela. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the police will continue to remain focused on stabilising the crime situation in all hotspot areas in the province.
“Disruptive actions in crime in hotspot areas across the province commenced on 24 until 27 August 2023. Actions and police activities executed during the operations include vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, and tracing operations by detectives.
“Thirty-two VCPs and 15 roadblocks were conducted during which 3 457 vehicles were stopped and 7 438 persons searched. 666 compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, liquor premises, formal and informal businesses as well as mines,” he said.
Shemane further said 70 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, burglary, dealing and possession of drugs, stock theft, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, and possession of precious metals.
He added that 85 wanted suspects were traced and arrested for various crimes specifically focusing on contact crimes.
“The police seized drugs, alcoholic beverages, dangerous weapons, and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola indicated that operations will continue to remain intentional in addressing all crimes in the province. Otola also commended the police for their relentless efforts in the continued collective fight against crime.
A man aged 36 has been arrested for murder. It is alleged that, the suspect committed a murder during the early hours of Sunday morning at Huhudi Township, in Vryburg.
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said the suspect and deceased (21) were with the girlfriend of the deceased at a residence in Huhudi when an argument ensued.
“It is alleged that the deceased and the suspect had a misunderstanding about the girlfriend of the deceased when they started to fight and the deceased was stabbed with a sharp object.
“The victim was declared dead on the scene and a murder case was opened for investigation. The suspect is due to appear in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng, commended the police for their swift action in ensuring that the suspect was apprehended.
The Guardian 