Two men were arrested for dealing drugs in Hartswater. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said on 26 July 2023, the police raided the identified premises and confiscated dagga worth approximately R80 000.
“A collective group of police units comprising of members of Hartswater Crime Prevention, Highway Patrol, and Crime Intelligence followed up on information regarding dagga believed to be at a guesthouse on the N18 road near Hartswater.
“Two adult males were arrested and charged with dealing in dagga and will appear in court soon,” said Kock.
Meanwhile, the acting District Police Commissioner for Frances Baard, Brig Charlotte Makgari indicated that drug-related offenses will be vigorously policed in an effort to eradicate drug trafficking and dealing in the community. Makgari also thanked the community for their assistance and contribution in making our communities safe by being the eyes and ears.
Picture: The former SABC and Mafikeng FM reporter, Mompati Sylvester Bobby Serame laid to rest
By OBAKENG MAJE
The former SABC and Mafikeng FM reporter, Mompati Bobby Sylvester Serame was laid to rest yesterday at Magogoe Tlhabologo village, near Mahikeng. Serame (53), who passed away last week Wednesday after a short illness, was applauded for his enormous and fearless approach to journalism.
Former SABC Current Affairs editor, France Nong (75), who discovered Serame’s talent said, he showed a fierce determination at a tender age. Nong further said, he had to drag the reluctant Serame to SABC studios in Mahikeng.
“Serame was driven by a conviction that journalism must be in service of justice. I always monitored him while visiting his family. Even though he was afraid of people, I could see that Serame’s talent could be nurtured.
“When I started Tsele-letsele current affairs, I wanted us to have cutting-edge current affairs that speak to people. So, we started by using regional stringers and Serame worked with them. He joined the SABC in 1995 and he was exceptional.” Said Nong.
He further said they have produced so many talents, but what he liked about Serame, he always wanted to deliver news to his people in his own language. Nong added that, the death of a journalist, is a compromise to freedom.
One of Serame’s neighbours, Odirile Dikola described him as a bubbly person. Dikola said Serame complained about headaches and they rushed him to Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, where he died the following day.
“He grew up in front of me and he was selfless. One day, Bobby slaughtered a goat and brought the goat’s head and trotters to my house. He said, you see now that my parents have died, I want you to become my uncle. That is where I realised that, indeed as a person, you create your own family,” he said.
Former SABC reporter, Dial Gaetsewe lambasted the SABC for allegedly ill-treating Serame. Gaetsewe labelled Serame’s life at SABC as an oxymoron.
“We grew up together at Magogoe Tlhabologo and he was an archetypal human being. Serame was a jolly person, who was dedicated to his work. It is sad that, Bobby was a stringer at SABC for 29 years.
“His presence was felt, yet not pompous. Bobby never forgot where he comes from and I can compare him to the late iconic Cebo Manyaapelo because he mastered his job. In many instances, we have earthly treasures and that’s what Bobby was,” he said.
Former SABC Current Affairs Executive Producer in North West, Charles Matlou said: “I knew Bobby back in 1996, while I was still working for Radio Setswana and he was working for Radio Mmabatho. When I moved to Mahikeng, we became friends. Three weeks ago, I called him because he was my entry point.
“Bobby was a celebrity yet, humble. He respected everyone and I think we should take a leaf out of his book. We are here to celebrate his life and he was not having a delusion of gradation. He created his own path and I have also learnt a lot from him.”
Meanwhile, the executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe congratulated the Serame’s family for giving birth to a giant. Molefe also questioned SABC’s decision to kick Serame out.
“If a man has served his people and served them well, he will receive this kind of send-off. You cannot divorce Serame from SABC because he was the ambassador. So, this is a befitting funeral for a martyr, a constant individual who was upright.
“This man did not deserve to die, as he was a true compatriot. His death is a heavy blow, but his teachings will remain with us. Bobby may not have occupied the highest position, but he served SABC well. As Batswana, we are afraid to preserve what is ours,” he said.
Molefe said Serame was ethical and it is so sad to see that SABC could not even contribute a bottle of water.
A learner from Pinagare High School in Taung scooped R40 000 after winning Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) High School Essay competition. Maitshwarelo Dintwa (17) was among the 10 winners announced by the third largest party in South Africa.
EFF national spokesperson, Sinawo Tambo said in a statement, the party is proud to announce the winners of its 10th Anniversary High School Essay and Poetry competitions. Sinawo further said, the competitions were launched earlier this year as one of the many extraordinary programs to celebrate EFF’s 10 years of unbroken struggle.
“For the essay competition, participants explored the topic “A 10-year history of the EFF”” in all official languages, with each winner receiving a grand prize of R40,000 per language. On the other hand, the poetry competition invited contestants to chronicle the EFF’s journey since 2013 in any of our official languages, offering a prestigious prize of R50 000 to one winner in any language.
“The EFF’s commitment to free, quality and decolonised education has been steadfast since our inception on the 26 July 2013. The recent Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) unveiled a stark reality – among more than 50 countries surveyed, there was a sharp decline in reading comprehension among South African learners,” he said.
Sinawo added that, the decline is especially prevalent in African language instruction schools. He said they, therefore, initiated the competition to promote both writing and reading engagement.
“The EFF recognises the importance of preserving and revitalising our native tongues as an important part of instilling African pride that will elevate our languages to their rightful place globally,” he said.
The winners of the High School Essay Competition are:
1. Dintwa, Maitshwarelo (Setswana), Pingare High School, Taung, North West
Picture: The missing Tsholofelo Frans Pudi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The police in Bedwang request the community’s assistance in locating Tsholofelo Frans Pudi (34), who is residing at Moretele in Bedwang. According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aaftje Botma, Pudi was last seen by his mother on 6 June 2023.
“A search was conducted around the township and surrounding areas of Bedwang without any success. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue jean, blue jacket, and navy blue trousers. He is dark in complexion, has brown eyes, a slender body, and is 1.6m in height with afro hair.
“Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Sgt Thabo Mputla, on 082 373 9548. Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via MySAPS App or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” Botma said.
Picture: Sisonke Netball team player, Onkarabetse Veronica Tlhareseng
By OBAKENG MAJE
Only a day left before the Netball South Africa team kick-start its much-anticipated Netball World Cup opening match against Wales in Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Now, netball player, Onkarabetse Veronica Tlhareseng from Mokgareng village, near Taung said, she will be delving into the Spar Proteas.
Tlhareseng (23) said she is very passionate about netball and would like to see herself representing the country in the future. She further said, her passion for netball started when she was only 10. Even though Tlhareseng does not know what prompted her to become a netball player, she went on to become a household name, especially around Taung.
“I started playing netball, while I was in primary school. I only saw people playing netball and decided to join. Since then, I never looked back. After finishing my matric, I went to Ranfontein in Gauteng and joined a netball team there called, Letleo Club MEC.
“I started going for trials and funny enough, I was always selected. At some point, I wanted to quit, but my coach was so persistent because she could see my potential. Our team once qualified for regional games in Pretoria back in the years,” she said.
Last year, Tlhareseng decided to go back to Taung and joined Sisonke Netball Club. Two months ago, she won the Netball Player of the Tournament during the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Mayoral Cup Tournament held at Taung Agricultural College.
“The only thing that I know is that, the minute I enter the netball quad, I play my heart out. So, winning the Netball Player of the Tournament was great and that shows that I am dedicated to the game.
“Truly, I was not expecting it because we played against the best players. However, coming on top really shows that discipline, dedication and determination pay dividends. If I can put my focus on netball, I think I can do better than this and go far,” she said.
Tlhareseng said, she would like to further her studies and do a Management Assistant course. She added that, education increases one’s knowledge and gives the edge over other things, especially in business.
“I really do not want to talk about my upbringing, but it was difficult growing up. Truly, what kept me going was the struggles that I was subjected to, but I told myself to never give up. I was raised by a single parent after my father passed away,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, the Netball South Africa president, Cecilia Molokwane said: “Our players are ready for the tournament. As a federation, we have given our team unwavering support and I call on our supporters to rally behind our team. Remember, it will be for the first time in sixty years that, a Netball World Cup is hosted on African soil.
“Therefore, the stake is too high because we cannot afford to lose in our own backyard. They say, if you want something done, send a woman. So, it is our time to show the world what we can do. So, we have full confidence in our team and this is their chance to write their names in the history books.”
The players selected to represent South Africa during the 2023 Netball World Cup are:
Bongiwe Msomi (capt); Karla Pretorius (VC); Khanyisa Chawane; Izette Griesel; Phumza Maweni; Lenize Potgieter; Nicola Smith; Jeante Strydom; Nichole Taljaard; Elmere van der Berg; Shadine van der Merwe, Ine-Mari Venter
Reserves: Owethu Ngubane; Refiloe Nketsa and Lefebre Rademan
Picture: The missing Richard “Majaivana” Oranotse Mokale/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Roodepan police are appealing to the public to assist in locating missing Richard “Majaivana” Oranotse Mokale (51), who resides at Bobo se plaas Informal Settlement in Lerato Park, near Roodepan. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Mokale was last seen on 30 March 2023 by his sister, going to a tuckshop to buy biscuits.
“He is mentally challenged and likes walking from home to different drinking establishments, listening to music and dancing. Anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of Mokale, can contact Detective Warrant Officer Christo Vermeulen at 083 500 7731 or 08600 10111 or either sms anonymously to 32211 or use the MySAPS app.
“All information received with be treated confidentially. The public is reminded that, there is no waiting period to report a person missing.”
Picture: An aeromedical service helicopter/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West calls on the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha to re-introduce aeromedical transport services. The DA spokesperson on health and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Gavin Edwards said, Sambatha should request an adjustment to the department’s budget to accommodate the aeromedical transport services.
“North West is largely a rural province with extremely long distances between medical facilities. All specialised medical care is only provided at hospitals in Klerksdorp, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Brits, which means that patients with serious and emergency life-threatening medical conditions need to be transported by road to these facilities for treatment.
“Aeromedical services were delivered under the illegal Buthelezi EMS, which came to an end in 2019, with a financial cost of R37 million. The contract with Buthelezi EMS is subject to a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and a Hawks investigation, which has yet to yield any positive results. Not a single person has been arrested and none of the wasted taxpayer funds have been recovered,” Edwards said.
He further said, in response to written DA questions, the “out of touch” North West Premier, Bushy Maape replied that, the services would only be introduced based on the availability of budget, as part of the 2020 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Strategy. Edwards added that, this is a convenient cop-out because as the Executive, they decide how funding would be allocated in the budget and there is much to be said that in 2023, the provincial government is still working on an outdated EMS strategy from 2020.
“Maape is completely disconnected from the reality that patients in the province confront. Promises of better services, based on a three-year-old strategy, without details, timetables, or precise implementation strategies remain at the heart of an ineffective ANC-run government.
“The ANC-led North West stands in stark contrast with the DA-led Western Cape, which has functional and effective aeromedical and ambulance services and where we take pride in the exceptional medical care and quick turnaround times that contribute significantly to saving the lives of the citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “Currently, the province does not have a dedicated aeromedical service. There is no contracted ambulance service provider for aeromedical services like Buthelezi EMS in 2019.
“The department is utilising an aeromedical service when the need arises. The majority of our patients are transported by road utilizing our own staff. To date, no expenditure has been incurred on aeromedical services.”
Picture: The accused persons, Bakang Katong, Bakang, Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder case against four accused persons resumes at Taung Regional Court today. The convicted rapist, Bakang Katong (32), Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34) were arrested more than a year ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood.
They accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival. The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” Tselanyane said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.
Meanwhile, the court also heard that, there is a letter from the community members requesting that the murder case be transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng owing to its nature.
It is alleged that, the state is set to call seven witnesses, while the accused persons will call four witnesses. There were also allegations that, the accused persons intended to plead guilty. However, it is yet unknown if that is still their intention.
Picture: The police continue to stamp their authority/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A 21-YEAR-OLD man was arrested for allegedly being involved in a recent business robbery. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, this happened during a mass disruptive proceeding by the police on Tuesday.
Kock further said the disruptive actions were led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Maj Gen Luntu Ngubulanga, Provincial Heads, station commanders from all 91 police stations in the province and supported by SAPS Public Order Policing unit, TRT, Air wing, SAPS provincial office members and traffic officials.
“The actions included mass foot patrols in the Greater Kimberley and Central Business District, Galeshewe, Roodepan, Kagisho at taxi ranks, malls and shopping centres. The stop and searches, random Vehicle Check Points(VCP), and raiding of drug houses and other hotspot areas were at the order of the day.
“The mass blue light patrols were also executed in Galeshewe, Roodepan, Kagisho and Kimberley residential areas, where hundreds of persons were also stopped and searched. The police confiscated a large amount of dangerous weapons,” he said.
Sergio added that, a baby brown firearm was confiscated. He said the police also raided second premises in Kagisho and arrested a man for being in possession of a 25kg bag of dagga, while another man was arrested at the Indian Centre Taxi rank in Kimberley with a substantial amount of dagga pokes and sachets.
“During VCPs in Galeshewe and Kimberley, the police searched 138 vehicles, and 380 persons and issued 21 traffic fines worth R17 500,” said Kock.
Meanwhile. Ngubelanga reiterated that pro-active crime prevention is key and disruptive actions such as these stamp down the authority of the state through high police visibility and assuring that our communities are and feel safe.
Picture: Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzanian Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) and the North West Province of South Africa delegation at the Dodoma Government Precincts in Tanzania/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Head of Department at North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Thupi Mokhatla said their benchmarking excursion on beekeeping in Tanzania will be significant. This comes after delegations from the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) visited Tanzania.
Mokhatla said the 10 members’ delegation seeks to gather essential information that will assist them in making informed decisions on the development and growth of the North West Beekeeping industry.
“During this four-day visit to Dodoma and Tabora Region, the South African delegation will engage with the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), apiculture technical experts and visit numerous beekeeping groups including the Nsimbo Training Apiary Site, Nyandakame Bee Farm and Aghondi Bee Reserve.
“The aim is to explore various aspects including agricultural development, environmental management and economic development relating to the apiculture sector in Tanzania, as well as the country’s legislation on beekeeping and how it legally regulates the industry,” he said.
Mokhatla further said on the first day of the visit, they focused on analysing the Tanzanian country paper on beekeeping and visitations to various reserves in Manyoni District. He added that, the DARD recognises the significance of this benchmarking exercise in informing the decision-making process regarding apiculture in the province.
“The insights gained from the visit to Tanzania will provide valuable information to assist the department in making knowledgeable and effective decisions that will ensure improved techniques in beekeeping. It will also assist us in identifying gaps within the South African industry and finding means to achieve maximum competitive advantages according to the World Beekeeping standards.
“The department remains committed to addressing the challenges faced by beekeepers in the province and enhancing effective beekeeping methods to accelerate the establishment of a regulated industry. The expedition comes after the African Regional Apimondia Symposium, which was held in Durban in March, where Apiculture best practices were shared by various countries across the world,” said Mokhatla.
He said Tanzania demonstrated leading and advanced beekeeping practices in forest reserves, bee reserves, game reserves, game-controlled areas, and public land. Mokhatla said the African country has successfully enhanced environmental conservation and sustained its socio-economic development with bees.
The Guardian 