Picture: The suspect who allegedly killed two police officers/Twitter

By OBAKENG MAJE

The alleged police killer is expected to appear at Kimberley Magistrate’s Court today. The suspect aged 38 was arrested a few hours after he allegedly killed two police officials in a shoot-out in Kimberley on Tuesday.

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Brig Mashay Gamieldien, the two police officials, Constable Okaetse Mandindi (35) and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo (45) 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

“We have arrested the suspect after activating and mobilising all police resources in search of him. 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.

The suspect was charged with double murder.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in North West said it is both surprised and shocked by the arrest of the City of Matlosana’s Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) chairperson and her son. Two suspects aged 49 and 20 were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team for corruption in Klerksdorp on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, in January 2023, the suspect allegedly approached the service provider in Klerksdorp, where she allegedly introduced herself as a Chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) in the local municipality.

“The complainant allegedly told the woman to inform him when tenders are advertised by the municipality. She allegedly told the complainant that she would see what to do. In March 2023, the suspect reportedly had a meeting 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 is aware that he has rented his trucks to his business partner and that he is also benefiting from the tender. The complainant was allegedly given an ultimatum to pay the suspect R100 000 or the contract will be cancelled and never renewed,” said Mathebula.

He further said the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team received information about the payment arrangement, which the suspect had reached with the complainant. Mathebula added that the suspect and her son were arrested soon after being paid R30 000 in cash by the complainant.

“They have been charged with corruption and will appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 24 August 2023,” he said.

Meanwhile, 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 further 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.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale back in court/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The disgraced ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale (43), who is facing 11 provisional charges, two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape and one for sexual intimidation set to briefly appear at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court today.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “In one of the cases, Sepale allegedly shared nude pictures with the complainant, in the second and separate case, but involving the same suspect, two counts of statutory rape were laid against him on 6 May 2023 by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17.

“He will remain in police custody until his next court appearance. A report by the police indicating that the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, was investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape after they were reported at Kanana Police Station respectively.”

Mamothame further said the Orkney Magistrate’s Court postponed the case to 24 August 2023 for further investigations. He added that, the state is now awaiting the conclusion of investigations to possibly add more charges against Sepale in preparation for trial.

Meanwhile, the Sonke Gender Justice is outraged to learn that Sepale allegedly continues to earn a salary as a ward councillor in the Matlosana Local Municipality, while in prison. The Sonke Gender Justice and Co-Chairperson of the Global Men Engage Alliance, Bafana Khumalo alleged that ANC said its hands are tied from removing him from its employee’s list, as it can only be done once he is granted bail.

“This lack of action by the ruling party demonstrates one more time that they do not take Gender-Based Violence, Femicide and sexual violence seriously. It is unbelievable that, a party that professes to be committed to end sexual violence acts in this manner when one of their own is caught on the wrong side of the law.

“We all understand the principle of ‘no work no pay’, but by ANC standards this only applies to others and not their own. Why is a councillor sitting in prison being paid as he is not offering any service behind a cell? One wonders how this expense will be justified in an audit,” Khumalo said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: Seven accused persons appear in court/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung arrested for arson are expected to briefly appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court today. 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) were arrested and charged for arson.

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.

Picture: Minister of Police, Bheki Cele visiting families of slain cops in Kimberley/Twitter  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Minister of Police, Bheki Cele said the fact that, the suspect who allegedly shot and killed two police officers attached to the Flying Squad Unit has had numerous brushes with the law for various crimes such as theft and trafficking, but yet he was a free man is heart-breaking.

Cele said this during his visit to the families of two slain cops today in Kimberley. Constable Okaetse Mandindi (35) and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo (45) were brutally killed during a shoot-out in Kimberley yesterday.

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Brig Mashay Gamieldien, Mandindi, and Masilo were following up on information about a stolen hired sedan that was allegedly stolen and en route from Bloemfontein when the atrocity took place. She further said, the vehicle was spotted in Kimberley and the two police officials reacted when they spotted it.

“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.

Cele said the slain cops were killed brutally killed by a serial criminal.

“The suspect had numerous brushes with the law. He was arrested for fraud, trafficking, and theft cases. The Police Ministry appreciates the decision by the South African Police Service (SAPS) management to revisit the training of police officers at SAPS training colleges.

“This move comes off the back of a surge in police killings in the country. 31 police officers were killed on and off duty between April and June 2023. The police management used the comfort visit to update the bereaved families on police investigations into the murders,” he said.

Cele said, unfortunately, the arrest of this criminal would not bring back the slain officers. He said it is painful when hard-working police officers, who dedicate their lives to keeping their communities safe are brutally killed by ruthless thugs, even more painful is a case where a suspect has been previously arrested by the police for various other crimes.

“This suspect had no business being out in society as he had several brushes with the law in other parts of the country and should have been behind bars.

“We welcome the commitment made by the National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola to upskill the tactical and street survival training at all police colleges. This process will run parallel with the improvement in the safety awareness programs of operational officers within the service,” said Cele.

Meanwhile, the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola lauded the police for the swift arrest of the suspect. The suspect is expected to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a number of charges including two counts of murder.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: Nine accused persons appear in court/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Nine people accused of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), briefly appeared at Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col, Tebogo Thebe said the accused no 1, Dr Dion Garvy Theys (56) is the current Head of Department (HOD) of the Northern Cape Department of Health, who was the acting accounting officer during the commission of crime.

Thebe further said Theys was recently convicted on another matter of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). He added that, the matter was also successfully investigated by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team.

“Accused no 2, is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the department, Daniel Mosimanegape (54), followed by Victor Nyokong (41) who serves as Deputy Director of Finance, Montgomery Lifa (39), and Siyabolela Booi (38) both attached to Supply Chain Management section, Goitemodimo Piet Moseki (50) and Dibueng Manyetsa (63)  both attached to Communicable Disease section as well as two Company Directors, Kanyaditswe Visser (44), Director of MKV Investment (juristic person) and Kelebogile Bogatso (58), Director of Stilofern (PTY) LTD.

“The Hawk’s Priority Crime Specialised Investigation previously secured a preservation order worth a combined value worth R5.3 million, which included a piece of land and a luxury vehicle (Bentley Continental GT), the order is related to the current investigation,” he said.

Thebe said the Northern Cape Department of Health suffered a loss of R16 906 667.50. in the process.

He said, in line with the government’s commitment to prosecute those who unduly benefitted from COVID-19-related crimes, particularly the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs), the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team served nine suspects and two companies (juristic person) with J50 warrants of arrest on 23 August 2023.

The Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Stephen Mabuela said: “COVID-19 related crimes gave South Africa a bad name domestically and internationally.

“The government has made a commitment to prosecute those involved and our role as the Hawks is to properly investigate the allegations and bring matters to court. We remain undeterred.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com