Picture: A man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend
By OBAKENG MAJE
A 31-YEAR-OLD man sentenced to life imprisonment by Northern Cape High Court sitting in Upington for killing his girlfriend, Aldine Titus (25). On 19 June 2019, a lifeless body of Titus was found at her home in Kanoeneiland with multiple injuries.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson in ZF Mgcawu cluster, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said it was discovered that, Titus was in an altercation with her boyfriend, Reuben Motsie, who assaulted her grievously with different objects including a broom stick, fork and an iron pipe.
Masegela further said, Motsie left her motionless and fled the scene. He added that, the police launched a manhunt and the investigating officer, Sgt Pule Lichakane traced and arrested Motsie in Welkom, Free State.
“The sentence was handed down in Upington on 2 August 2023. The investigating officer was commended for ensuring that GBVF perpetrators are brought to book,” he added.
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha calls on workplaces to ensure that there are adequate breastfeeding facilities and become breastfeeding-friendly. The department marks the World Breastfeeding Week from 1 until 7 August 2023 under the theme: “Enabling breastfeeding and making a difference for working parents.”
Sambatha further said he has recognised that, workplace challenges often are one of the most common contributory factors for women to stop breastfeeding their babies sooner than recommended. He added that they call on corporations to become breastfeeding friendly.
“If South Africa is to reach the 2025 United Nations (UN) target of an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 50% for the first six months of an infant’s life, we need to empower and support women who breastfeed in our organisations.
“Some of the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers returning to work include a lack of time to breastfeed their babies. With hectic work schedules, it can be difficult for mothers to find the time to breastfeed regularly,” he said.
Sambatha said another challenge the working mums face is that, some workplaces do not have proper nursing rooms for breastfeeding mothers due to various reasons. He said this was part of the reasons given by working mothers, who have opted to discontinue breastfeeding exclusively and resorted to alternative methods such as formula feeding or introducing infants to solids much earlier than the recommended age.
“Having unsupportive managers is another challenge that working mums who breastfeed face. Even if the workplace has facilities that can accommodate working mothers, many companies have not implemented accommodative practices for their breastfeeding employees.
“We are now using the world commemorations of Breastfeeding Week to remind mothers of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and infants. Breast milk is uniquely tailored to meet the nutritional needs of infants, providing essential nutrients, antibodies, and hormones that promote healthy growth and development,” said Sambatha.
He said it offers protection against various illnesses, such as respiratory infections, gastrointestinal issues, and allergies. Sambatha said it further nurtures a deep emotional bond between the mother and child, promoting security, comfort, and closeness.
“The health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. No other food or liquid is needed during this period. Continued breastfeeding for two years or longer with the introduction of appropriate complementary foods is also ideal.
“The crucial function performed by the four districts’ Breast Milk Bank Facilities in the province, as well as the importance of Donor Breast Milk (DBM) and nursing in lowering infant mortality and morbidity at the beginning of the human development chain, with a special emphasis on premature neonates,” he said.
Sambatha said, currently, the province has Breast Milk Bank facilities hosted in public hospitals across all four districts. He said they operate from Potchefstroom, Mahikeng Provincial, Joe Morolong Memorial, and Job Shimankana Tabane Hospitals respectively.
Picture: The alleged illegal miners nabbed in Stilfontein/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Six men aged 37 and 39 have been arrested for being in possession of gold bearing material in Stilfontein on 25 July 2023. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said five out of six men are facing additional charges of contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) & (b) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
“The suspects were apprehended on 25 July 2023 after the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Illicit Mining Task Team followed up on information received. The suspects were ultimately found and arrested at an abandoned workshop next to a scrapyard in possession of gold bearing material.
“The fight against illicit mining gained success. All suspects have been remanded in custody and are expected to re-appear in court on 3 August 2023,” said Botma.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the illicit mining team members for their swift response, which led to the arrest. Kwena strongly warned that illicit economic activities will not be tolerated and that those involved will be dealt with harshly.
A man (27) has been arrested for being in possession of dagga worth R59 000. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, on Monday, the Springbok Highway Patrol and the Public Order Policing Units as well as the Provincial Traffic Department conducted a Vehicle Inspection Point (VCP) in Springbok.
Sam said a white light motor vehicle with three occupants was stopped and searched.
“Dagga valued at R59 920 was allegedly found and confiscated. A man was arrested and charged for possession of drugs. In an unrelated incident on Tuesday, the Keimoes police received information from the public about drugs stored at a house in Keimoes.
“They operationalised the information and obtained the relevant search and seizure warrants. The police raided the identified house and allegedly found and seized mandrax tablets and Tik all valued at R3061.30,” he said.
Sam further said the suspect (43) was arrested and charged for possession of drugs. He added that drugs impact negatively on the lives of the youth, families and also on the country.
“Therefore, the police will confiscate any drug no matter how small. That is a success on itself,” said Sam.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Deputy Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga lauded the collective teams and the public for ensuring the removal of drugs within the communities. Ngubelanga said they are happy that the police managed to bring the perpetrators to book.
A father has been sentenced to six life imprisonment by the Upington Regional Court for raping his own daughter (14). In September 2012, a then 14-year-old victim was allegedly raped and impregnated by her biological father, who also threatened to kill her if she reported the matter to anyone.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson in ZF Mgcawu District, Sergeant Omphile Masegela further said, the case was reported to the police in June 2013 and the father was arrested. Masegela added that, the father was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
“He was sentenced to six life sentences for rape and three years of imprisonment for sexual assault. The meticulous investigation by Warrant Officer, Thabisho Mashililishili and Sergeant Elliot Gaya of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in the ZF Mgcawu District cannot go without recognition after a hefty sentence that was handed down to the accused,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola welcomed the sentence. She warned that there is no place for perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) in the communities.
“The fight against GBV continues and the police are determined to stamp down the authority of the state,” said Otola.
Picture: The GROGL movement patch potholes in Lichtenburg/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Chairperson of the God Restore Our Good Life (GROGL) Movement, Pastor Daniel Buthelezi said they patched up potholes on various streets across Lichtenburg. Buthelezi said they used that to create awareness over Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other social ills.
“The GROGL initiated a program of patching up potholes in Lichtenburg, where our focus was on 6th Avenue, 6th Street and Sarel Celliers. This program was made a success due to the support and generosity of Noord Wes Koperasie (NWK), which donated 30 bags of cold asphalt.
“The GROGL would like to express our words of appreciation for this good gesture. The movement would also like to encourage other businesses around town to have confidence in it and ensure that they support our agenda of fighting social ills within the society and bring stability,” he said.
According to Buthelezi, their movement subscribed to the principle of transparency and accountability. He further said they would also like to convey their appreciation to the residents of 6th Avenue for their humanity by assisting them with necessary tools.
“Their cooperation made our job easy and we would like to request others to do the same. The movement shall have not done justice in their fiduciary duties, if it could fail to appreciate the cooperation of the 6th Avenue road users too.
“We will continue to be a civic movement that is not aligned to any political party and also not advanced doctrines of any particular church. However, we acknowledge and appreciate being confined to God and also advancing the restoration of good life,” said Buthelezi.
He added that what they want to see existing within the society is self-respect, self-confidence, self-worth, integrity, dignity, self-esteem and all positive character traits that God has created a man with. Buthelezi said they encourage men to be sympathetic and empathetic towards women and children.
“Ultimately, we would appreciate having a healthy and respectful society. The society that pushes the positive agenda of love, peace and stability to fight all social ills, with the attitude of having a province and country that we could be proud to live together in united.
“The movement was created with the purpose of gathering matured men, who do not have the luxury of time. We are committed as men to nurture the boy child to be a better man in future. We also want us to be men of integrity with sound minds,” he said.
A trial in a murder case against two men from Modimong village, near Taung has been postponed by the North West High Court sitting in Vryburg until 18 until 22 September 2023. The trial commenced last week Monday and more state witnesses are expected to ascend to the stand.
Rebaone Malekanyo (33) and Tumelo Tlonkwe (32) are facing a murder case after allegedly killing the former Vaaltar FM presenter and a socialite, Tshepang Seelo (32) back in 2021. Malekanyo and Tlonkwe are allegedly facing premeditated murder, assault, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame, Seelo was allegedly killed on 31 October 2021, while walking from a local tavern with his girlfriend.
“The deceased allegedly saw the duo stealing roof sheets from a certain house and blew the whistle. Then the accused allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and killed him before dumping his body in a furrow near Khibitswane village near Taung.
“Seelo’s girlfriend allegedly ran away and escaped unharmed. The deceased’s lifeless body was found floating on 3 November 2021. It is alleged that his body was also mutilated and his eyes and tongue were missing,” Mamothame said.
He said the two accused persons were arrested on 2 November 2021 after they handed themselves over to the police.
Setshwantsho: Mokhuduthamaga wa ditsela le dipalangwa, Oageng Molapisi o a jala
Ka BAKANG MOKOTO
Motsamaisi wa setheo sa bagodi le batho ba ba tshelang ka bogole kwa Lokgabeng Disability Centre, gaufi le Taung, Agnes Mokgobo are o itumeletse go bona dithuso go tswa kwa pusong. Seno se tla morago ga ketelo ya mokhuduthamaga wa ditsela ga mmogo le dipalangwa mono Bokone Bophirima, Saliva Molapisi.
Molapisi one a etela setheo seo le go keteka le bagodi. Gape, Molapisi one a jala dijalo tsa ntshetso-kunu kwa tshingwaneng eo.
“Tshingwana e ya rona e ntsha dijo tse dinang le dikotla, mme di thusa bagolo go ka ja dijo tse di itekanetseng. Rena le batho ba ba tshelang ka malwetsi a farologaneng ba le 57, mme rena le badiri ba le 24 ba ba ba tlhokometseng bosigo le motshegare. Re itumetse thata, mme re rotloetsa puso go ka tswelela go re ema nokeng jalo,” Mokgobo wa tlhalosa.
Majoro wa nakwana wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Itumeleng Maribe one a patile Molapisi mo loetong la gagwe. Go ya ka Maribe, Molapisi o tshimolotse ka go etela sekolo se segolwane sa Reivilo le go tlhabolola dikago teng, pele a ka leba kwa ditseleng kwa gone one a tsweletsa letsema la go tswala mesima mo ditseleng teng.
“Re lebogela ketelo ya mokhuduthamaga wa ditsela ga mmogo le dipalangwa ka thebolo ya ditirelo go baagi. Re ne ra tsogelela kwa Reivilo mo mosong, mme jaaka masepala, re lebogetse seo. Rene ra pata mokhuduthamaga gape fa a ne a tswala mesima mo ditseleng tsa rona tse difarologaneng teng kwa Reivilo.
“O tla gopola gore seemo sa rona sa ditsela mo Taung ga se se se jesang diwelang, mme ha re ka tswelela fela jalo go ka dira mmogo, re tla bona tswelelo pele. Re ile ra tla gape fa go ka tla go keteka ga mmogo le bagodi ba rona mo setheong. Re bone fa mokhuduthamaga a ntsha gape le dimphonyana go ka itumela ga mmogo le bagodi ba rona.,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.
O kaile fa ba rotloetsa mokhuduthamaga go ka tswelela ka porogerama e, gonne baagi ba Taung ba tlile go unngwelwa mo go yone. Maribe are, go maleba go isa ditirelo le ditlhabololo kwa bathung, gonne seo se tla fetola matshelo a bone.
Kgabagare, Molapisi o kaile fa ketelo ya gagwe ene e rulagantswe ka letsatsi la go keteka botshelo jwa mogaka o hulereng, Nelso Mandela. Molapisi are, fela seo ga sa kgonega gonne, gone gona le dikopano tse dingwe tse a ne a tshwanelwa ke go di tsenela.
“O tla gopola gore kgwedi e, ke kgwedi e e beetsweng thoko go ka keteka botshelo jwa mogaka wa rona, Nelson Mandela. Fa o tla go lebelela, Mandela one a na le mowa wa go abelana, ke ka moo go le botlhokwa gore re tsamaye mo dikgathong tsa gagwe.
“Jaanong, re bone gole botlhokwa go ka tsweletsa ditiro tseo le go ka leka go fetola matshelo a batho. Mandela one a leka ka natla gore mongwe le mongwe a nne le botshelo jo bo botokwa, ke ka moo le rona re tsweletsang seo,” Molapisi wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The Democratic Alliance delegates during oversight visit at D201 road construction project
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance in North West said it is concerned about the delays marred the D201 road construction project. The R148m project is supposed to be completed and handed over to the community in November 2023.
However, the DA Shadow Minister of Public Works and Roads, Sello Seitlholo, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) said, that will be a mammoth task to complete.
Seitlholo and other DA delegates embarked on an oversight visit recently to assess the project.
“The situation is not promising at all. Remember, this is a 62 km road that starts from Pampierstad to Matlapaneng until N18 road. So, the 24km road is expected to be completed in November 2023, which is highly impossible. It was deliberate for us to do our oversight from the starting point until the end to determine how far the project is.
“What we have seen with our naked eye, it will be impossible for the road to be completed in November 2023. There are also allegations that the project was stopped because the so-called business forum, which is a syndicate of the construction mafias, has already imposed itself here,” he said.
Seitlholo further said it is alleged that the ‘construction mafias’ demanded 30% and also wanted their own people to come and work there. He added that the ‘construction mafias’ masquerading as business forums have stopped many projects across the country and cost the economy around R68 billion.
“We have written to the Lieutenant General, who is the Head of the Hawks’ Directorate of Priority Crimes to classify this criminal activity as a priority crime. On top of that, these construction mafias are taking away job opportunities that were supposed to benefit the locals.
“I also want to emphasise that, it is not always the case for rural municipalities to get projects, so it is important to ensure that these projects benefit the local communities. It is high time now for the treasury to review the particular 30% from the projects that must go to the SMMEs,” said Seitlholo.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi said: “We are on course, but the information I have received is that there were some delays because the contractor had some cash flow problems. I am told he underquoted for the overlays, however, they are on course as a joint venture.
“They have submitted a cash plan and we are thinking that in terms of contractual obligations, there should be no problems. We understand that there are also 27 SMMEs that were identified, but only 17 of them are on site as we speak.”
Molapisi said as a department, they would like to see all projects being completed timeously including this one. He said he hopes that the contractor will meet the target as per contractual obligation.
“Well, if there are some delays, we will definitely inform the communities. So, our intention is to hand over this project by November 2023. I would not dwell much on construction mafias because we do not have that information.
“Yes, it is true that we have challenges regarding construction mafias masquerading as business forums and demanding 30% across the country, but we cannot label every business forum as a construction mafia syndicate,” said Molapisi.
Picture: The funeral of five family members in Madipelesa village
By OBAKENG MAJE
The family of Molokwane in Madipelesa village, near Taung said even though the passing of five family members left them devastated, they managed to give them a dignified send-off. This comes after Tshepo, Keamogetse, Leano, Kaelo and Moitshepi Molokwane died in a head-on collision accident between a minibus taxi and Polo TSI along r31 Road in Danielskuil two weeks ago.
Masego Mocumi, who was working as admin clerk at Mamutla clinic and her daughter, Remo, also died in the accident and were buried last week in Mamutla village.
The family spokesperson, Modisa Molokwane said: “We are grateful that we managed to bury our loved ones even though it was not easy. Some government officials visited us during the week and promised to assist us financially, however, we have not received anything thus far.
“We just hope that they will fulfil their promises. The deaths of our loved ones left us devastated and traumatised. However, we put everything before God because he is our creator.”
Molokwane also sent his gratitude to those who came out in numbers to give support in the time of need.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the accident claimed nine lives on the spot, of whom three were children.
“Eleven people were hospitalised, of which, three injured were the occupants of the white Polo TSI, while eight people were in the minibus taxi. The police are investigating the circumstances that led to these tragic accidents,” said Shemane.
The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola conveyed her sincere condolences and expressed her deepest sympathy to the members of the bereaved families and the injured.
Otola also appealed to road users to obey all rules of the road, exercise caution and show good behaviour, while on the road.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Northern Cape, Ofentse Mokae, who is also DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Transport, Safety & Liaison said they have submitted a written request to the chairpersons of the portfolio committees of Roads and Public Works and Transport, Safety and Liaison to convene a joint meeting with the respective departments in conjunction with Sanral.
Mokae further said they will also include relevant municipalities so that a comprehensive approach to road safety along the R31 can be taken.
“Government’s failure to increase road safety along the R31 and branching roads is aggravating the unnecessary and tragic loss of lives on what is notoriously known as the “road of death”. On Sunday, ten people died and eleven were injured in two separate accidents along the R31 route in Danielskuil and Kathu respectively.
“These are not isolated accidents. In February, 13 people were injured when a minibus overturned. In September last year, seven people were killed on the R31 in close vicinity of Kuruman in a head-on collision and the list goes on.”
Mokae said they have addressed their concerns on various platforms, including legislature portfolio committee meetings. He said the DA’s Provincial Leader, Harold McGluwa, even raised the matter in a previous debate on the State of the Province Address (SOPA).
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