Picture: The ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A statutory rape case against the disgraced ANC ward 25 councillor, Tebogo Sepale is set to resume at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court today. This comes after Sepale (43) requested a week to appoint a private attorney to represent him.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the state intend to oppose his bail application.
“Sepale 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. The state is not ruling out the possibility of more charges being added.
“His court appearance emanates from 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,” he said.
Mamothame further said, in one of the cases, Sepale allegedly shared a nude picture of his private parts with the complainant. He added that, in the second and separate case, but involving the same accused, two counts of statutory rape were laid on 6 May 2023, by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17.
“Investigations are still underway to gather more evidence against Sepale. The public is urged to refrain from circulating sexual content of any form through all mediums as it may compromise the victims and their families, as well as the investigations into the matter,” said Mamothame.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo, together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police for acting swiftly in arresting the accused. He said a senior public prosecutor has been assigned to the case, owing to its serious nature.
Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Social Development Department is expected to appear before the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development over the 2023/24 Annual Performance Plan (APP) and budget. This comes after the department was chucked out of the meeting last week Thursday for hanging out its dirty laundry before the committee members.
The startling revelations exposed that, there is a tug-of-war between the North West Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa, and the Head of Department, Relebohile Mofokane. It is alleged that the squabbles between Moiloa and Mofokane were caused by an R130 million security tender that Mofokane allegedly signed off on, even though the Provincial Internal Audit warned him about some discrepancies in bid documents.
The department was scheduled to appear before the committee to process its Annual Performance Plan (APP) and budget for the 2023/24 financial year. However, the chairperson of the committee, Gavin Edwards, sent them packing to sort out their ‘nonsense”.
Edwards said, the department was sent away because of its failure to resolve persistent squabbles between Moiloa and Mofokane.
“We felt that the squabbles will affect service delivery. We have resolved to write to the Leader of Government Business, North West MEC for Cooperative Government, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi, and the North West Premier, Bushy Maape to urgently intervene.
“The meeting was halted after Mofokane revealed that he had been stripped of his powers as the accounting officer and that he had not been part of developing the APP. So, members of the committee were astonished by Mofokane’s revelation that he had been stripped of his powers as it has been revealed that he signed off tenders two weeks prior to the meeting,” he said.
Edwards further said Mofokane had signed off tenders for security contracts to the value of R130m two weeks ago and it is surprising that he alleged that he had been stripped of his powers. He added that they want to understand what is happening with service delivery because it is clear that Mofokane and Moiloa cannot work together.
“This is not the first time the department has been turned away by the Portfolio Committee. Last year, the committee questioned Mofokane’s appointment and his qualifications.
“Repeated requests by the committee seeking clarity on his appointment were simply ignored by Moiloa and subsequently Maape. Members of the committee raised their concerns with both Moiloa and Mofokane, questioning what actually happens to service delivery, while they are clearly more concerned with internal squabbling and battles rather than ensuring effective services,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the member of the committee, Freddy Sonakile said: “As the Democratic Alliance, we are quite perplexed and believe that this is unprecedented whereby, we see such arguments between the Moiloa and Mofokane over a legal document that was supposed to assist the department and the residents to be able to get funds for the department to start functioning.
“What is funny is that it is not the first time that the department was turned away by the committee due to its internal squabbles. So, we are not taking this lightly and we believe that action must be taken, especially against Mofokane who in this case, clearly failed on his fiducial duties.”
Sonakile said they have been contacted by a number of NPOs, whose survival depends on funding from the department. He said they told them that they are struggling because they cannot get hold of their subsidies and SLAs are still not signed by the department.
The North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said, he will respond to the allegations after he had gathered more details. The response will be incorporated into the article when received.
Today’s meeting will be virtual and will commence at 4pm.
Picture: The ANC councillor. Gotsilekgosi John Doctor Batsi accused of coercing a 15-year-old girl to send him nudes pictures/Screengrab
By OBAKENG MAJE
It does not rain but pours in the ANC in the North West province. This comes after another ANC councillor, Gotsilekgosi Batsi from Mamusa Local Municipality in Schweizer Reneke was rocked by sex scandals.
Batsi allegedly coerced a girl (15) on Facebook to send him nude pictures. However, Batsi’s persuasion was short-lived after the father of the girl reported the matter to law enforcement agencies and eventually filed a protection order against him.
According to the father of the girl, the incident took place in 2021. Last week Monday, the ANC in North West went on a rampage and expelled five councillors from the Mamusa Local Municipality after allegedly failing to ‘toe the party line.’
However, Gontse Kock, Tumisho Tlhole, Mitta Chelechele, Tshepo Khwenenyane, and Lesego Motlapele said they had since appealed the ANC‘s decision to expel them. One of the expelled councillors, Lesego Motlapele alleged that the ANC in North West under the tutelage of ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi, ‘give a blind eye’ to Batsi’s wrongdoings.
“The circumstances that led to the charges being preferred against us and in what respect, we contend that the entire disciplinary proceedings were flawed in substance and procedure.
“We would also set out our plans to challenge the outcomes of the disciplinary hearing by the ANC Provincial Disciplinary Committee. We would also expose the real motives of the ANC PEC in persecuting the councillors for defending the legitimate policy pronouncements of the ANC and its constitution and program of renewal led by the current sitting ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa,” Motlapele said.
He further alleged that all ANC councillors at the municipality were summoned by the newly-elected ANC PEC officials to attend the meeting in Rustenburg, wherein, they were instructed among others, to re-instate Batsi as the municipal speaker within seven days.
However, Motlapele alleged that in terms of ANC guidelines, the ANC candidates for the mayoral or speaker positions are required to have five years of experience in local government, no evidence of maladministration against them, and matric.
“The identification of Batsi as the speaker was a contravention of the guidelines because he had misrepresented his qualifications and falsified his curriculum vitae. In his CV, Batsi lied that, he possesses a matric and his matric certificate was misplaced.
“We pause to say that, this is a lie because Batsi does not have a matric. In fact, his recent attempt to pass his matric was last year in 2022, which he still failed. As if this was not enough, Batsi submitted several fake qualifications in the form of five Diplomas and a Doctorate Degree conferred on him by some institution called Timothy Training Institution. Notably, in accordance with his records in his CV, all these Diplomas and Doctorate Degrees were conferred on the same day on 24 August 2019,” he said.
However, Motlapele alleged that all registered Higher Learning institutions in the country, could not confirm the existence and legitimacy of the institution called Timothy Training Institution. He added that they reported the matter to the current ANC PEC, but all is in vain.
Meanwhile, incompetent ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping failed to respond to these allegations, despite being given ample time before publishing this article. Also, Batsi failed to respond to our media inquiry and all responses will be incorporated in the article when received.
Picture: One of the accused persons, Paul Pokes Mabe/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A stock theft case against two accused persons from Tlola O Nyele Section in Khibitswane village, near Taung, will resume today. The case was postponed on Monday due to a water shortage at the Taung Magistrate’s Court. Paul Pokes Mabe (46) and his wife, Gladys Machwe (40) were arrested on 6 May 2023 for allegedly stealing two cows back in November 2022.
According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, a stock theft case was opened by the rightful owner of two cattle after they were allegedly stolen in Cokonyane village.
“As the investigation progressed, information was obtained, which led to the recovery of the two cattle at Matsheng village in January 2023. Further investigation was done and led to the arrest of two accused, who were positively linked to the stock theft case.
“The third suspect was still at large and the accused persons briefly appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday last week. They were remanded in custody until 15 May 2023 for a formal bail application. The alleged stolen cattle were handed back to the rightful owner after being identified by the brand mark,” she said.
Yesterday, Mabe briefly appeared in court with another accused, who is believed to be the third person who was reported to be at large. According to information, charges against Machwe were provisional withdrawn pending investigations.
Picture: ACDP member, the late Mpho Ntlhaeng/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in North West said it was saddened by the passing of its member, Mpho Ntlhaeng (45). Ntlhaeng was allegedly shot dead by her boyfriend, Shimmy Koee (44) in Choseng village, near Taung in the early hours of Monday.
The cagey ACDP provincial treasurer, Gaolatlhwe Tshipo said, he will visit the bereaved family today at around 10am before he could make a formal official media statement on the matter.
“Look, I will be meeting with the bereaved family on Tuesday. I only learned about Ntlhaeng’s passing through the media. However, I spoke to one of the family members and I think it will be proper if we talk with the family first before we release any media statement.
“I’ll be visiting the family around 10am and I think you can call me afterward. At that time, I’ll be at liberty to speak to the media regarding Ntlhaeng’s death,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The police in Pudimoe have opened a case of murder and inquest after the incident. According to information provided, the couple got involved in a dispute, where the man shot the woman and then turned the gun on himself afterward.”
It is alleged that Koee and Mpho Ntlhaeng were staying together in Pudimoe Township, in Taung before Ntlhaeng moved out after an argument. She allegedly went back to her parent’s house in Choseng.
In the early hours of Monday morning, Koee, who was allegedly accompanied by his friend, visited Ntlhaeng in Choseng. However, the friend allegedly stayed in the car, while Koee got inside the house.
It is alleged that an argument ensued between the couple. Koee allegedly took out a gun and shot Ntlhaeng with two bullets that killed her instantly, before turning the gun on himself. Both deceased persons were declared dead at the crime scene.
Picture: John Frylinck Secondary School in Huhudi Township, Vryburg logo/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi is set to visit the John Frylinck Secondary School in Huhudi Township, in Vryburg today at 10am. This comes after the school was plagued by gangsterism since the beginning of the year.
Motsumi, who previously visited the school in April 2023 after major disruptions said, she adopted the school after it experienced serious incidents of gangsterism amongst learners.
“Learners attended school carrying dangerous weapons. You will remember, I left all my engagements and visited the school in order to bring back sanity to the school community. I was accompanied by the North West Community Safety and Transport Management Department.
“I have been extremely concerned about the behaviour of learners of this school. Some learners threatened the safety of other learners, which is a serious violation of the Constitution. Every learner has a right to education in this country and nobody must take away that right,” she said.
Motsumi further said, she is going to conduct a close monitoring of the behaviour of the learners of the school.
According to the www.health-e.org.za website, gangsterism among children – who are often left alone by their parents – has been pinpointed as the main driving force behind violence in schools. A Social Work Manager at the National Department of Social Development, Linda Makhathini told the website that, children who come from child-headed families or whose parents are unemployed, are often involved in gangs.
“As the DSD, we must address the social ills in our society. Our department has set up an anti-gang strategy after all nine provinces reported that children are displaying signs that they are part of gangs. The department must deal with this plight of gangsterism.
“From a survey conducted in child and youth care centres, it was revealed that children of unemployed parents are the ones involved in gangs. These children are often left unsupervised during the day. We all understand that some parents have to work but these are some of the issues coming up,” she said.
Makhathini further stated that peer pressure and the lack of a parental figure can lead to children joining gangs. She added that, some also think that once they are part of a gang, there is no way out.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that each year up to 1 billion children experience some form of physical, sexual, or psychological violence or neglect. Besides lifelong impacts on education, health, and well-being, children exposed to violence can experience underachievement due to cognitive, emotional, and social problems,” said Makhathini.
Picture: A kudu found in the back of a bakkie in Reivilo/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The animal poachers ‘reign of terror’ continue in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. This comes after seven suspects were arrested during the weekend in separate incidents in Ganyesa and Reivilo respectively.
The North West police urge the community members to assist them in halting poaching in the area. The illegal poaching activities allegedly leave statistics very high and a loss of biodiversity in the process.
The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “On 12 May 2023, the police in Ganyesa, attended to a scene, where four suspects were found in possession of wild animals. Upon arrival at the scene, the police were informed by Bushveld Security personnel that, they noticed the vehicle hunting in the area.
“The vehicle, which was a light delivery van was searched and four Kudus and a buck were found at the back of the vehicle. The driver of the delivery van and the occupants could not produce a hunting permit upon request. A further search was conducted and two cartridges were found in the vehicle.”
Van Rooyen further said, four suspects aged 21,28,36 and 56 years were arrested and a case of illegal hunting was opened against them. She added that the vehicle and the wild animals were confiscated for further investigation.
“The suspects were due to appear in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Monday. In an unrelated incident, the police in Reivilo conducted a vehicle checkpoint between Reivilo and Taung on 12 May 2023. During the operation, a white Isuzu Bakkie was stopped, and found that there was a kudu that was shot at the back of the bakkie.
“The explanation given by the driver of the vehicle was not satisfactory and the driver nor the occupants could not provide a hunting permit. A case of illegal hunting was opened and the suspects aged 30,34 and 52 years were arrested,” she said.
Van Rooyen said the vehicle, the kudu, a hunting rifle, and 13 rounds were confiscated. She said the suspects are expected to appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 22 May 2023.
Meanwhile, the acting Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng commended the police, who ensured that the suspects were apprehended. Tlotleng said it is only by forging partnerships that the police can curb the fight against crime.
Picture: The R200 000 that was found in the suspects’ possession/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three suspects arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act are expected to appear at the Nababeep Magistrate’s Court. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Timothy Sam said, the suspects were arrested during Operation Vuthu Hawe’s actions on Thursday.
“The police were on their normal patrols along the R355 road when stopped and searched a white NP300 Nissan bakkie for a routine inspection. Three occupants were detained by police after they failed to clarify their foreign status under the Immigration Act.
“On further inspection, they found R52 170 00 cash that belonged to one of the occupants, who could not give a proper account of the money. On the same road, the police stopped and searched another vehicle and found R510 170 00 cash that could also not be accounted for,” he said.
Sam further said the suspects aged 27, 37, and 40 were respectively. He added that, two inquiry case dockets were opened for the cash seized.
“The suspects are expected to appear in the Nababeep Magistrate’s Court soon. Policing the illegal movement of money is one of SAPS priorities and the police will not leave any stone unturned in curbing this crime,” said Sam.
A man allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend before turning a gun on himself at Choseng village, near Taung. It is alleged the couple, Shimmy Koee and Mpho Ntlhaeng were staying together in Pudimoe Township, in Taung before Ntlhaeng moved out.
It is alleged that, Ntlhaeng, moved back to her parent’s house in Choseng village after an argument with her boyfriend. Last night, Kooe, who was accompanied by his friend, allegedly went to check on Ntlhaeng in Choseng. However, the friend allegedly stayed in the car, while Koee got inside the house.
It is alleged that an argument ensued between the couple and Koee took out a gun and shot Ntlhaeng with two bullets that killed her instantly. Then Koee allegedly turned the gun on himself. He was also declared dead on the scene.
Their bodies were just removed from the crime scene a few minutes ago.
The North West police have not responded to our media inquiry regarding the matter before we published the article. Their response will be incorporated into the article when received.
Since the advent of democracy nearly 30 years, South Africa has pursued an independent foreign policy. With the outbreak of Russia-Ukraine conflict, however, there has been extraordinary pressure on the country to abandon its non-aligned position and take sides in what is in effect a contest between Russia and the West. Other countries on the African continent and elsewhere have been put under similar pressure.
One of the most impressive features of the international anti-apartheid movement was that it drew support from countries and citizens from across continental and ideological divides. The struggle to end apartheid was taken up in capitals from Africa to Europe, from the Americas to Asia. Our leaders worked hard to gain the support of governments, lawmakers and citizens across the divisions of the Cold War.
That experience – of reaching out across political divides and building relations with very different countries – has helped to shape our foreign policy. This has been coupled with a firm belief in the value of an inclusive multilateral world order and the peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue.
This explains South Africa’s membership of the Non-Aligned Movement, a forum of 120 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. South Africa has also used its membership in other international forums like the G20 and BRICS group to advance the views and interests of countries in Africa and the rest of the Global South.
Throughout, we have been firm on this point: South Africa has not been, and will not be, drawn into a contest between global powers.
That does not mean that we do not have a position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Consistent with our stance on conflicts in other parts of the world, South Africa’s view is that the international community needs to work together to urgently achieve a cessation of hostilities and to prevent further loss of life and displacement of civilians in Ukraine. It needs to support meaningful dialogue towards a lasting peace, which ensures the security and stability of all nations.
As a country, we are committed to the articles of the United Nations Charter, including the principle that all members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means. We support the principle that members should refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other states.
Our position seeks to contribute to the creation of conditions that make the achievement of a durable resolution of the conflict possible. The reality is that the Russia-Ukraine conflict – and the tensions that underlie it – will not be resolved through military means. It needs to be resolved politically.
We do not accept that our non-aligned position favours Russia above other countries. Nor do we accept that it should imperil our relations with other countries.
Last year, I travelled to Washington to meet President Joe Biden and to London to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In my talks with both leaders, I restated our non-aligned position and explained that South Africa believes that this conflict should be resolved through dialogue. In August, I will be hosting the leaders of Brazil, India, China and Russia for the summit of the BRICS countries. South Africa has strong and enduring relations with all these countries.
In all our interactions with these countries, we restate our belief that the United Nations remains the only viable mechanism through which the global community can strive for peace and common development.
Yet the conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the weaknesses in the structure and practices of the United Nations. The composition of the UN Security Council, in particular, does not reflect the realities of the current global landscape. It needs to be overhauled so that there is an equitable representation and a more inclusive mechanism for resolving international disputes.
South Africa is a sovereign state, governed by a democratic Constitution and committed to the consistent application of international law. We will continue to fulfill our obligations in terms of the various international agreements and treaties to which we are signatories.
These are among the principles that inform our approach to allegations that arms were loaded onto a Russian vessel that docked in Simon’s Town late last year. Since we do not have concrete evidence to support these allegations, we are establishing an independent inquiry headed by a retired judge to establish the facts.
South Africa’s position on this issue was well explained by my envoy, Prof Sydney Mufamadi, and his delegation who recently travelled to Washington DC for discussions with representatives of the United States government.
We are determined, in both word and action, to maintain our position on the peaceful resolution of conflict. Guided by the lessons of our history, we will continue to resist calls, from whatever quarter, to abandon our independent and non-aligned foreign policy.
The Guardian 