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.
Picture: The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo/Twitter
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called for a culture of work, service and professionalism within the public sector and key stakeholders.
Mahlobo made the remarks during the Emfuleni Section 63 Support Stakeholder Meeting held at Vereeniging, Gauteng, on Friday.
The meeting, which was attended by Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor Sipho Radebe and stakeholders from various structures representing business and civil society within the Sedibeng District Municipality, aimed to provide an update on the progress made on the Emfuleni Section 63 Interventions, and the planned work leading up to the commissioning of pump station 5, which has a capacity of 150 mega litres a day.
In 2021, Minister Senzo Mchunu invoked and placed Emfuleni Local Municipality under Section 63 of the Water Services Act and took over water and sanitation services following the municipality’s failure to manage its water and sanitation services, which resulted in sewer spillages in communities and into the Vaal River, polluting the raw water source.
The objective of the Section 63 interventions is to address sewerage spillage in the Sedibeng District’s Emfuleni and Midvaal, as a result of lack of maintenance and aging infrastructure, and demand that is higher than waste water treatment capacity.
Rand Water was appointed as an implementing agent to deliver an effective solution that will eradicate pollution in the river and its tributaries, and address water and sanitation service delivery challenges, inhibiting both social and economic development in the region.
Mahlobo was appointed by Mchunu to chair the Political Stakeholder Committee of the project in the region to keep all stakeholders abreast of the progress in the implementation of the intervention.
Mahlobo noted the overwhelming progress on the work that has been done to address spillages, and urged the department and other water sector stakeholders to improve their work ethic, service delivery, and professionalism, stressing the significance of regular information sharing to demonstrate the progress being made, and to foster patience among the public.
He said this approach will ensure that stakeholders are well-informed about the ongoing developments, and can collaboratively address any challenges that arise.
The Deputy Minister also emphasised the importance of transparency in water management.
“The sharing of information plays a crucial role in informing the public about the measures implemented to enhance the provision of adequate water services. It also allows for clarification on the progress made in various water projects.
“This, in turn, helps to build trust and confidence within the public. Additionally, transparency holds all stakeholders accountable for their actions, thus enhancing good governance within the water sector,” Mahlobo said.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted a need for collaborative efforts with the private sector to succeed.
He said, it is through the collective efforts of the department, including stakeholders, and the public, that meaningful change can occur.
“By cultivating a culture of work, service, and professionalism, the water and sanitation sector can address existing challenges and pave the way for a future marked by sustainable and equitable access to water resources,” the Deputy Minister said.
A number of stakeholders also expressed their gratitude towards progress made by the intervention, adding that it has been evident that the Emfuleni Section 63 worked extremely well and that more opportunities must be availed for women.
Significant progress in water-related projects
The Rand Water, which is responsible for supplying potable water to the Gauteng Province, highlighted significant progress in various water-related projects.
In its reports, the utility noted that the refurbishment of pump station 2 is currently at 80% completion with pump station 9, which has reached 50% completion.
The utility also highlighted that the gravity main to pump station 2 is halfway through its renovation, while pump station 10 is nearing completion at 95%.
Another progress noted was the successful completion of the collapsed sewer pipeline at Union Street in Vereeniging, which is 100% completed.
Mahlobo concluded the meeting by directing the Department of Water and Sanitation Provincial Head for Gauteng, Justice Maluleke and his team to ensure that real issues are captured and site visits take place at the specific areas and feedback given. – SAnews.gov.za
Three suspects were nabbed for being in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of state property and possession of stolen property. The North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma said three men aged 36, 39 and 62 were arrested during a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Mmakau police, Brits Trio Task Team, and Crime Intelligence.
“The police received a tip-off about a Toyota Corolla of which the occupants allegedly attempted to hijack a truck in Parys, Free State Province. It was further indicated that the suspects were heading in the Rustenburg/Mooinooi direction.
“The vehicle was spotted driving towards Mooinooi on the N4 road and the team promptly responded. A car chase ultimately ensued, but the suspect’s vehicle was stopped at Kgware Road (M21) near De Wildt Crossing,” she said.
Botma said upon searching, the police found a Z88 pistol with one magazine and 11 ammunition, one RETAY MOD 92 pistol with 10 ammunition, blank ammunition, a police blue lamp, two pair of handcuffs, one wallet with SAPS badge, three black hoodies and cash.
She further said the police also seized the suspect’s vehicle for further investigation. Botma added that the suspects are expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court soon.
Meanwhile, the Bojanala Platinum Sub-District Police Commissioner, Major General Modisagaarekwe Mosimanegape, commended the police for their collaboration, which resulted in the arrests and recovery of firearms and ammunition.
Setshwantsho: Nama ya kgomo e e bonweng mo balatofadiweng
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Banna ba le bararo ba tshwerwe morago ga gore sepodisi se fitlhelele dirope tsa nama ya kgomo e go belaelwang e ne e utswilwe golo gongwe kwa polasing kwa Kimberley. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa Kimberley, Sarasanta Dikeledi Gopane, tiragalo e ke ya Labone wa beke e e fetileng.
“Sepodisi go tswa kwa lephateng le le rebang bosinyi, lene la tshwara banna ba le bararo ka Labone kwa Marrick Safari Farm. Batlhankela ba sepodisi ba ne ba tsweletse ka tiro ya bone ya twantsho ya bosinyi fa ba ne ba fitlhelela tshedimosetso ya gore gona le banna bangwe ba ba tlhabang kgomo golo gongwe.
“Ba ne ba itelekela kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme ba fitlhela banna ba dingwaga dile 20, 22 ga mmogo 30 ka nama ya kgomo. Kgomo e e bolailweng e lekanyediwa go madi a kanang ka R15 000. Sepodisi se bone gape le digalapane jaaka thipa, selepe ga mmogo le kgetsi tse go dumelwang fa di dirisitswe fa gone go tlhabiwa kgomo e,” Gopane wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, Gopane o kaile fa banna ba, bane ba tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka go tsoma go go seng mo molaong. Are ba tla tlhagelela kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Kimberley mo nakong e e sa fediseng pelo.
The Guardian 