Picture: The Chairperson of Community Policing Forum (CPF), the late Dixson and his wife/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Mahikeng- North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari described the late Dixon Ngamlane as selfless. Ngamlane, who was the chairperson of Community Policing Forum (CPF), died two weeks ago along with his wife after being involved in a horrific car accident on N12 junction with Fochville.
They were laid to rest today in Mahikeng.
In his message, Lehari said: “Ngamlane was among the first people to volunteer during the establishment of a previously unheard of structure called Community Policing Forum (CPF). The purpose for this structure was to support and work with local police stations in the fight against crime.
“He has been part of the Provincial Community Policing Forum for 23 years and was eventually appointed as the Chairperson of the Board in 2016. Just a few days before his untimely departure, we had a meeting with him, where we discussed resources needed to strengthen the CPF.”
Rustenburg- A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tlhabane Regional Court for killing his girlfriend. In 2021, Nkosiyazi Zibambele (43) stabbed his girlfriend, Ncebakazi Mdingi to death.
North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said Zibambele and Mdingi were at a shebeen in Sondela Informal Settlement, outside Rustenburg on 17 October 2021 evening, when Mdingi asked for a beer from another man.
“Zibambele got agitated, then drew a knife and stabbed Mdingi several times. Mdingi was rushed to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The police were informed and Zibambele was traced. He was later arrested and charged with murder.
“Subsequent to the court appearance, Zibamele was granted bail, but he absconded. He was ultimately re-arrested and his bail was successfully opposed. Zibambele remained in custody until his trial and sentencing,” he said.
Tselanyane further said the court also declared Zibambele unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000. (Act No. 60 of 2000).
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, and the Director of Prosecution in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Sethunye Tobokane of Boitekong Detectives, and the prosecutor in this case, Aubrey Mataboge and all other role players for their collaborative efforts to ensure that Zibambele was brought to book and sentenced.
Picture: Two pangolins allegedly discovered in a water crib/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Kuruman- A man has been arrested for allegedly having an endangered species. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Timothy Sam said the police received a tip-off about two pangolins that are being kept at a cattle post in Heuningvlei, near Perth.
Sam said, on arrival, the police found the suspect and requested permission to search the place, which was granted.
“The police allegedly found two pangolins inside an unused water crib. The suspect was arrested and charged with The suspect was arrested and charged for possession of an endangered species under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), 10 of 2004.
“He is expected to appear at Kuruman Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The John Taole Gaetsewe District Commissioner, Major General Johny Besnaar applauded the police for reacting timeously on information provided by the public. Besnaar said, crimes happening in specific places that the police cannot immediately reach, need local safety strategies spearheaded by the Community Safety Forums (CSF),” he said.
Picture: The newly-appointed Northern Cape Youth Crime Prevention Desk members/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Upington- The Youth Crime Prevention Desk has been launched in Northern Cape. The two-day event which was held at Tol Speelman Community Hall in Upington, aims to empower the youth to become self-sufficient and actively involved in crime-fighting initiatives.
The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner for Policing, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, and the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Mmantsheke Lekhele, the Head of Ministry for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Vincent Diratsele, District Commissioners, Provincial Heads and senior officers.
Otola said the Provincial Community Police Board, District Community Police Forums and the youth were also part of the initiative.
“The five integrated youth strategy pillars including the Community Policing, Moral Fibre Investment, Youth Empowerment and Development, Disabled and Vulnerable Youth Empowerment and International Relations were discussed.
“We deliberated on what the youth should do in regard to fighting crime in our communities. Not only in certain places in the province, but they must include rural areas as well. Remember, Maya Angelou once said, you may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them,” she said.
Manwilhe Qwetywa was appointed as the chairperson, Thabang Mocwagole as deputy chairperson, Vusumzi Mocwagole as secretary, Jasinta Sal as deputy secretary, while Obakeng Nikwe was appointed as public relations officer. The additional members included Dimakatso Gaotlhope, Charmone van Schalkwyk, Lihle Gweyi, and Hernrich Jacobs.
The second suspect linked to the alleged theft of 51 rhino horns at the North West Parks Board two weeks ago has been arrested. Lindani Mthombeni (32) briefly appeared in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court today, facing a business burglary charge.
The Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mathebula said Mthombeni was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit assisted by the Rustenburg Public Order Policing, Tactical Operations Management Section, Tracker Connect and Insurance Crime Bureau in Brits on Wednesday.
“The team followed up on information after the suspect was allegedly spotted in Brits driving in a Range Rover Evoque, which is suspected to have been used in the commission of the crime. He was traced to Brits, where he was arrested and charged with business burglary.
“Mthombeni, along with Elias Manganda, who was arrested last week for alleged theft of rhino horns, appeared in court today and their matter was postponed to 13 July 2023 for bail application. The duo was remanded in custody,” Mathebula said.
Picture: The ANC ward councillor, Tebogo Sepale/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The disgraced ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale has abandoned his bail. 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, briefly appeared 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 the accused in preparation for trial.
For two days last week, several world leaders gathered in Paris, France for a global summit on financing development and climate action in developing economies. While such international summits may seem like a world apart from the daily challenges that South Africans face – such as poverty, unemployment and crime – they are actually closely connected.
Global development financing, if properly directed and provided on a significant scale, can make a huge difference in the lives of people living in countries like our own. While much has been achieved since the advent of democracy in our country to address the needs of the poor, this work has been undermined by slow economic growth, state capture and corruption, the electricity crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
These problems are made worse by the damaging effects of climate change, which include catastrophic flooding and drought. Poor communities and countries are most vulnerable to the effects of global warming, and yet they carry the least responsibility for causing climate damage.
That is why South Africa and many other countries have maintained that the industrialised countries that have contributed most to greenhouse gas emissions have a responsibility to fund the actions that less industrialised countries need to take to protect their people from climate change.
And since these countries have been able to develop their societies through economic activities that have caused the current climate crisis, they should also contribute to meeting global development goals such as eradicating poverty, improving health outcomes, expanding access to quality education, promoting gender equality and ensuring everyone has clean water and sanitation.
As we said at the summit, we do not want to be treated like beggars, as if we are asking for charity. The industrialisation and economic development of the Global North were achieved at the expense of the Global South. Wealthier countries, therefore, have both an obligation and an interest in supporting development and climate action in poorer countries.
As South Africa, we argued for a fundamental overhaul of the international financial institutions that are responsible for supporting development across the world.
These bodies, which include the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, should be restructured to be more inclusive and responsive. They should provide funding in a way that does not increase the debt burden of countries already struggling to service their debt.
We said that the international community must appreciate the scale of the challenge and make sure that sufficient funds are available.
As a start, industrialised countries must meet their existing commitments, such as mobilising $100 billion annually for climate action in developing economies. Yet, even as this goal is achieved, much more money will be needed to ensure an effective response to climate change. South Africa’s own Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, which was released a year, estimates that our country alone would need around $98 billion over the next five years to enable a just transition towards a low-carbon economy.
While the Paris Summit is not a formal structure through which international agreements are reached, it is significant that there was broad consensus among most of the countries that much more funding is needed and that international development banks needed to be significantly reformed to direct that funding to where it will have the greatest impact. There was general agreement that additional private sector funding should be mobilised and that funding should be provided on better terms.
But what does this mean, practically, for the people of South Africa?
With improved funding for our just energy transition, we will be able to invest substantially in strengthening our electricity grid and new renewable energy generation. This will make a significant contribution to ending load shedding and securing a reliable and affordable supply of electricity. This will, in turn, promote economic growth, make our exports more competitive and create employment.
This funding will also enable us to develop new industries, such as electric vehicles and green hydrogen, which will increase our industrial output and create jobs for the economy of the future.
Through such funding, we can increase our investment in infrastructure, expanding the capacity of our economy and reducing the costs for emerging businesses.
There are immediate challenges that we are addressing as a country. We are working to accelerate the implementation of our Energy Action Plan and Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to end load shedding, grow the economy and create jobs.
At the same, we need to continue to assert the needs and interests of developing economies in these international forums, so that we can raise the funds that are required to achieve a just transition and advance our developmental objectives. This is important not only for people in South Africa, but for people throughout the Global South.
In summarising the outcomes of the Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said: “More than ever, international solidarity and transfers from the richest countries to the most vulnerable ones are essential to shape a fairer world.”
This is a view that we share. We will continue to work with other countries across the world to ensure that it becomes a reality.
Picture: The Director of Media Engineering and Office Solution, Lerata Raphael Mokoteli/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
A 40-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for fraud and money laundering by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday. The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said the Director of Media Engineering and Office Solution, Lerata Raphael Mokoteli pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
Thebe said, between March and June 2016, Mokoteli submitted a fraudulent funding proposal to AgriSETA for funding the gardening project, giving a misrepresentation that he had partnered with Dipalemo Company which is accredited by AgriSETA for the purpose of funding.
“Mokoteli acted as if he had the mandate from Dipalemo Company to enter into a partnership with Business against Crime company for the use of its accreditation certificate with AgriSETA, whereas he was not a member of Dipalemo. AgriSETA granted funding of approximately R1.9 million to the Business Against Crime company as a consequence of misrepresentation.
“The Kimberley-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team successfully investigated the matter resulting in a conviction and sentencing of the accused. Mokoteli was found guilty on 50 counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering,” he said.
Thebe further said Mokoteli was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of money laundering during the period of suspension. He added that, Mokoteli was further instructed to repay R1.9 million to the benefit of the Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Steve Mabuela expressed his satisfaction with the conviction of Mokoteli.
“Mokoteli’s guilty plea was influenced by overwhelming evidence placed before the court, as a result of a meticulous investigation by our investigating team,” he said.
A Somalian tuckshop owner (30) was shot dead during a foiled business robbery in Robaletheka Section in Magogong village, near Taung on Wednesday. According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, unknown armed men accosted the deceased in an attempt to rob him.
“The shop owner was attacked during load shedding by unknown suspects who tried to rob him but ultimately ended up shooting him. The suspects fled the scene and the deceased was ferried to Connie Voster Hospital in Hartswater for medical attention, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“No one has been arrested thus far as the suspects are unknown. The police request anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact them. They can call 0800 10111 or go to the nearest police station,” she said.
Picture: North West MEC for DEDECT, Virginia Tlhapi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi said youth development is an integral part of national transformation and a catalyst for sustainable growth. Tlhapi said as a government, they recognise the challenges faced by Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in the province and they will provide much-needed support.
“Our intention is to foster a plan in collaboration with key stakeholders that caters to the needs of young entrepreneurs and ensures economic transformation for small enterprises. We also want to encourage young people to absorb and apply the shared information to seize the opportunities presented before them.
“We want them to ultimately contribute to a better future. Our department is committed and has allocated R15 million to procure equipment for both start-ups and existing small business enterprises. Under this fund, small businesses and cooperatives operating within the province can access equipment worth R100 000 for start-ups and R200,000 for existing businesses,” she said.
Tlhapi further said the fund excludes certain industries such as liquor, gambling, tendering costs, property acquisition expenses, primary agriculture, and transportation. She added that, as part of the program, ten Empowerment Fund Program beneficiaries in the fields of laundry services, spa and beauty, steel projects, construction, printing, confectionery, catering, and architectural services received equipment.
“We would like to commend their efforts and we urge them to strive for sustainability as their success will generate employment opportunities for others. This impactful event followed a series of informative sessions held in Lichtenburg, Potchefstroom, and Bloemhof, which showcased a range of opportunities provided by the government.
“These sessions aimed to enhance the competitiveness of rural and township enterprises, start-up businesses, and high-growth potential businesses owned by youth, thereby retaining existing jobs and fostering new employment prospects.
The event received extensive support from the Bojanala District and its local municipalities, and various development finance institutions, including SEFA, SEDA, NYDA, NWDC, NDA, NEF, and SARS,” said Tlhapi.
She said these institutions encouraged SMMEs to leverage opportunities made available by the government and the private sector to fuel the growth and development of their businesses. Tlhapi said her dedication to empowering young SMMEs sets a precedent for economic transformation in the region by bridging the gap between the first and second economies.
“These efforts promise to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial landscape, promoting job creation and sustainable development,” she said.
The Guardian 