Picture: The murder suspect pointing a gun at a prominent businessman, Ben Gumbi/Screengrab 

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone has refuted allegations that the police have arrested suspects in connection with a murder case of a prominent businessman, Jabulani Ben Gumbi (49). Gumbi was gunned down outside a coffee shop in Rustenburg on Wednesday morning.

“The police would like to indicate that, no suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Gumbi as communicated on various social media platforms. Once more, we make a plea to the public to refrain from communicating false, misleading, and unverified information as this causes confusion even among family members.

“In addition, this is likely to affect our investigations. The police in Rustenburg have launched a manhunt following the death of Gumbi. He was shot several times by unknown suspects, then they fled the scene with a blue Volkswagen Polo vehicle,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said the getaway car was later found abandoned at the corner of Helen Joseph and Lourie Streets. He added that, the motive of the incident is yet to be determined and investigations into the matter are underway.

“We would also like to urge members of the community, who are using various social media platforms to share pictures and video clips purported to be those of the suspects, to refrain from doing that as this has the potential to jeopardise the investigation.

“The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigation to contact the Investigating Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Murunwa on 082 772 5591 or to call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111,” said Mokgwabone.

He said anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via MySAPS App.

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Picture: Seven accused persons in an arson case/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

A trial was set for an arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung. The Taung Magistrate’s Court announced that, the trial will commence on 16 until 18 October 2023.

The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Ali Sakiele (50), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32), who were arrested and charged for arson briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The seven accused were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation.

In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses, and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family. They accused the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (32) of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”

Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder and the case is still pending.

The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Longaneng village near Taung, where Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched him. They allegedly transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.

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Setshwantsho: Motsamaisi kwa Multi-purpose, Motseokae Duncan Cwaile/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Motsamaisi wa Multi-Purpose Centre e kwa motseng wa Morokweng, gaufi le Ganyesa kwa masepaleng wa Kagisano Molopo, Motseokae Duncan Cwaile (45) o solofetswe go dira kopo ya beile mo letsatsing la Labotlhano.

Cwaile one a tshwerwa morago ga go latofadiwa ka petelelo. Go begwa fa Cwaile, yo gape eleng moeteledipele wa lekoko le le busang la ANC teng kwa kgaolong eo, a ile a ipagololela mogodu mo mosetsanyaneng wa dingwaga dile 14 wa moagisani. Go ya ka sebueledi sa lephata la bosekisi la National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) mo Bokone Bophirima, Henry Mamothame, mosetsanyana o, one a ile go ga metsi kwa sedibeng kwa ntlung ya ga Cwaile ha tiragalo e e diragala ka 13 Phatwe 2023.

“Go begwa fa Cwaile one a biletsa mosetsanyana o kwa ntlung, mme a mo gogela kwa phaphusing ya borobalo kwa a ileng a mo betelela teng. Go ya ka dipego, Cwaile one a lebotsa phokoje morago ga tiragalo e, le go tlogela mosetsanyana owa kwa ntlung.

“Fela, motswasetlhabelo one a ya gae, mme a fitlha a lotlegela bagolo ka se se mo diragaletseng. Kgetsi ya petelelo ene ya bulwa, mme Cwaile one a tshwarwa moragonyana. Cwaile one a tlhageletse ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelong ya Ganyesa ka Mosupulogo,” Mamothame wa tlhalosa.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen o kaile fa kgetsi ya petelelo kgatlhanong le Cwaile ene ya busediwa morago go fitlha ka 25 Phatwe 2023. Van Rooyen are, Cwaile one a busediwa kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, mme o solofetswe go ka dira kopo ya beile ka Labotlhano.

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Picture: Former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane, who was found guilty of rape by the Vryburg Regional Court, is expected to be sentenced today. Shoarane, who was working as Assistant Manager in the security department at the municipality, raped a woman in Vryburg a few years ago.

It is alleged that the woman in question was a well-known prostitute in Vryburg. According to information, the woman was hitchhiking to go to Huhudi Township when she met Shoarane. Shoarane promised the woman to take her safely to Huhudi, but instead, he headed to a dilapidated building, where he raped her.

After the ordeal, Shoarane dumped the woman in the streets and left. The woman went to the Vryburg Police Station where she opened a rape case against him.

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Setshwantsho: Poloko Sekgopi yo o latofadiwang ka go teketa/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Kgetsi ya go teketa kgatlhanong le monna mongwe wa mogwebi kwa Vryburg, e solofetswe go ka reediwa kwa kgotlha-tshekelo mo letsatsi la gompieno. Poloko Sekgopi (39) one a lelelwa ke ditshipi morago ga go latofadiwa ka dikgetsi dile pedi tsa go teketa.

Go kaiwa fa Sekgopi a ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi morago ga go bonwa mo video e tletse-tletseng mo mafaratlhatlheng a boitapoloso a teketa lekgarebe kwa Shell Garage e teng kwa Vryburg ka di 13 Phatwe 2023.

Go ya ka dipego, Sekgopi one a tsena kwa Shell Garage a hupile tedu kwa a fitlhetseng lekgarebe le teng, mme a le tlhasela. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, Sekgopi one a tlhasela le motlhokomedi wa tshireletso yo oneng a leka go tsereganya.

Van Rooyen are, motlhokomedi o, le ene one a bula kgetsi ya go teketa kgatlhanong le Sekgopi.

“Ke nnete, go butswe dikgetsi dile pedi tsa go teketa kgatlhanong le Sekgopi. Mongwe wa ba ngongoregi mo dikgetsing tseno, ona le dingwaga dile 33. Sekgopi o tlhageletse ka bo ripana kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Vryburg mo letsatsing la gompieno.

“Dikgetsi kgatlhanong le ene di ne tsa busediwa morago go fitlha ka di 23 Phatwe 2023. Ga re itse fa bosekisi botla kopanya dikgetsi tseo, kgotsa di tla seka ka go farologana. Molatofadiwa o solofetswe go ka dira kopo ya beile,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

Lekgotlha gape le ne la utlwa fa Sekgopi ane a bonwa molato mo kgetsing enngwe ya go teketa ka Motsheganong 2023. One a neelwa kotlhao ya dikgwedi dile tharo kwa kgolegelong e ene ya beelwa thoko sebaka sa dingwaga dile tlhano.

Kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka Labotlhano, fa Sekgopi a buseditswe kwa ntlo-lefitshwana.

Kgabagare, mokgatlho wa baagi wa South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) mo Bokone Bophirima, o kaile fa o goeletsa gore molatofadiwa a se neelwe beile ke kgotlha-tshekelo. Sebueledi sa SANCO mo porofenseng, David Xolile Kham are ba kgatlhanong le tshotlakako ya bong.

“Ke ka maswabi go bona motho wa mme a bediwa ke rakgwebo o itsagaleng go tswa kwa North World Circles. Tshotlakako kgatlhanong le bong e goeleditswe jaaka leroborobo mo Afrika Borwa. Jaanong, re rotloetsa banna ba ba dikgoka go ka thusa go aga setshaba se se tsepameng.

“A banna ba atle bomme gona le go ba teketa, kgotsa go ba bolaya. Seo se botsha fa tshotlakako ya bong e sentse ele tlhoba-boroko. Re tlile go ikuela go lefapha la katlatlelo-loago go ka netefatsa fa ba ba sotlakakiwang ba bona bosiamise,” Kham wa tlhalosa.

O kaile gape fa mokgatlho wa SANCO o tlile go sala morago tiragalo e, le go netefatsa fa ba ba molato ba rweswa maikarabelo.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A corruption case against the City of Matlosana’s MPAC chairperson, Merriam Methi (49) and her son, Tshegofatso Mosiako (20) was postponed to 9 November 2023 by the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The duo was arrested by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation in Klerksdorp on 23 August 2023 after allegedly soliciting a bribe from a certain service provider. According to the Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Col Tinyiko Mathebula, In January 2023, Methi allegedly consulted a particular service provider in Klerksdorp, where she introduced herself as the chairperson of MPAC in the City of Matlosana.

“The complainant allegedly told her that he had trucks that could be utilised for refuse removal and for her to inform him when tenders are advertised by the municipality for him to bid, and she allegedly obliged.

“In March 2023, the suspect reportedly met with the complainant, where she told him that his business partner was awarded a tender by the municipality to collect refuse. It is further alleged that she told the complainant that she knows he has rented his trucks to his business partner and is also benefiting from the tender,” he said.

Mathebula further said the complainant was allegedly given an ultimatum to pay the suspect an amount of R50 000, failure to do so will result in the contract being cancelled, with no chance of renewal.

He added that, the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team received information about the payment arrangement, which the suspect had reached with the complainant.

“An arranged entrapment was set to catch Methi and Mosiako in the act of committing an offence. They were arrested soon after being paid R30 000 in cash by the complainant,” said Mathebula.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the corruption case against Methi and her son, Mosiako was postponed to 9 November 2023, for further investigations.

“Methi was granted R15 000 bail, while Mosiako was granted R1000 bail. They were ordered not to have any direct or indirect contact with the complainant, and to inform the investigating officer should there be a change in their home address.”

Meanwhile, the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in North West said it is both surprised and shocked by the arrest Methi. The F4SD provincial chairperson, Sechaba Sekhoto said: “As the organisation, we are deeply committed to transparency, good governance, and the rule of law. So, F4SD wishes to make it abundantly clear that, we distance ourselves unequivocally from any form of improper or illegal behaviour.

“This stance holds especially true when it comes to office bearers, who are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. We understand that, these are allegations at this stage and that due process must be followed.”

Sekhoto said, however, that they affirm their steadfast belief in the principles of justice and accountability. He added that F4SD is awaiting the outcome of the legal processes and is prepared to take appropriate action based on the findings.

“We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations, and we commend the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for their vigilance in tackling corruption.

“For a nation to thrive, public trust in its institutions must be maintained. F4SD continues to advocate for responsible governance and remains committed to serving the community in line with our core values and principles,” said Sekhoto.

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Picture: The alleged police killer, Daniel Wilfred Albert during arrest/Screengrab

By OBAKENG MAJE

The double murder case against the accused, Daniel Wilfred Albert has been postponed by the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court until 5 October 2023. Albert (38), was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed two police officials, Constable Okaetse Mandindi (35) and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo (45) in a shoot-out in Kimberley on Tuesday.  

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Mashay Gamieldien, the two police officials, were following up on information about a stolen hired sedan that was allegedly stolen and en route from Bloemfontein.

Gamieldien said, the vehicle was spotted in Kimberley, and Mandindi and Masilo reacted when they spotted it. She further said the police officers gave chase and followed the stolen vehicle into the Transnet premises, where the suspect allegedly crashed the bakkie and fled the scene on foot.

“The police officers gave chase and were sadly fired upon, which led to the fatal shooting of them. The armed suspect fled the scene on foot, but was later arrested,” added Gamieldien.

The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said is saddened and shocked by the fatal shooting, which resulted in the death of two police officers. Otola said the police officers were attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad.

“An attack on the police is an attack on the state. We would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives, and colleagues of the two fallen police officers during this period.

“We as a country, are celebrating and paying tribute to women who have left their footprint in history,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, they have taken over the investigations of the case. Thebe said Albert abandoned his bail application.

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Picture: Extension 7 residents demand paved road/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The disgruntled residents at Extension 7, in Taung said, they have submitted a petition to the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe. The Chairperson of the Concerned Group, Moeketsi Jonathan Mokhobo said, they have raised various demands in the petition.

“As the residents of Extension 7, we demand a pavement road from Extension 6 (four-way stop) towards East of Extension 7, joins Depot Road then connects to the main road towards Taung Police Station. This petition is addressed to the municipal mayor to present it to the municipal council to immediately respond to our demands.

“We, the community of Ext 7 Section A, require council through the mayor to provide evident documentation of the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and an indication of Ward 8 (Ext 7) specific road resolved for paving construction,” said Mokhobo.

He further said, they want a council resolution, where it undertook to construct a pavement. Mokhobo added that, the municipal council must in its third council meeting, discuss this petition and find solutions to consider the urgency of attending to it.

“This route is always playing converter route during the festive season. We pledge to consistently engage on these demands until the council satisfactorily achieves our undertaking to build an accessible road infrastructure closer to the CBD.

“Yours in equitable well-thought development, attached are signatures of residents in support of the above demand. We need documents right now to prove the facts of which route is planned for the current pavement. Secondly, we give the mayor seven days for the council to resolve on the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure, Itumeleng Maribe said: “I’ve made a commitment on behalf of the mayor that, we will comply in addressing all the submissions they made. I have received the petition and you will remember that we have a road construction project that is underway at Ext 7.

“However, there is a mayhem on the route of the road. Some residents alleged that their route of the road was not what was agreed upon. Now, they demand to see evident documentation regarding consultation that was conducted with the residents before the project commenced.”

Maribe said the residents also want the evident documents regarding the municipal council resolution on the matter. He said he believe that Gaoraelwe will respond to the demands of the residents accordingly.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man aged 32 has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for raping a girl (13). On 13 November 2018, the victim visited her friend at Promise Land Informal Settlement, near Mothibistad when Wilfred “Popeye” Joseph accosted her.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Joseph took the victim to his place and raped her.  

“In an unrelated case, the Kimberley Regional Court handed down a 10-year direct prison sentence to Bethanie Sherman (44) for raping a woman (37) in Roodepan on 11 November 2017.

“On the said day, Sherman had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent while asleep at home. Both these cases were investigated by young vibrant female detectives,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded Detective Constables, Lorato Badukane and Kamo Morake from the Kuruman and Galeshewe FCS Units respectively for their dedication, hard work, and sterling investigations that ensured justice for women and girls during this Women’s Month.

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