More than 300 people were arrested during the intensified crime prevention in the weekend. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from robbery aggravating, murder, rape, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, possession and dealing in drugs to illegal dealing in liquor.
“With Operation Shanela gaining momentum to squeeze the space for criminals, police in the province arrested 320 suspects throughout the weekend. In one of the operations in Mmakau on Thursday afternoon, Riaan Spies (32) was apprehended at Skietfontein smallholding in De Wildt near Brits, for possession and dealing in drugs.
“The accused was arrested during a multi-disciplinary and crime intelligence driven operation after the team executed a search warrant. During the search at the accused’s place, the police discovered drug manufacturing equipment as well as chemicals used to manufacture drugs and approximately 4000 ecstasy tablets, computer equipment and a tablet gadget,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the Spies briefly appeared at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Friday. He added Spies was remanded in custody and his case was postponed until 9 June 2023 for formal bail application.
“In Bokamoso Location, near Rustenburg, a multi-disciplinary team comprising Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Rustenburg K9, Public Order Police (POP) and Detectives dealt decisively with illegal liquor outlets on Friday. They raided and shut down three illegal liquor outlets.
“The police also confiscated liquor worth R58 525 and other shebeen operating equipment,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the police for their commitment in striving for safer communities through execution of various crime prevention and combating actions.
The ANC disgruntled members across all four regions in the North West, whose names were allegedly unduly removed from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) selection list, welcomed the National Executive Committee’s move to investigate the matter. The ANC has called all councillors, who were allegedly elected unduly to substantiate their nomination.
Initially, the disgruntled ANC members called for the reinstatement of 155 councillor candidates, but according to the letter, only 27 disputes will be processed.
The former ANC regional secretary in Dr Kennth Kaunda, Lopang Rothman said: “I have gone through the letter of the Secretary-General Office and this takes me back to what we raised before, which I also raised during the visit by ANC National Working Committee in front of both ANC chairperson, Gwede Mantashe and Senzo Nchunu that, the ANC Provincial Elective Conference was prepared by the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC), who were referees and players.
“The ANC NEC expects the same manipulators of processes of councillors to implement a report that implicates them? The ANC Provincial Executive Committee members are the same individuals, who were IPC members who manipulated the councillors’ processes,” Rothman said.
He further said it is surprising that the same individuals are today expected to attend to the matter and recommend or even charge themselves for such misconduct? Rothman added that he does not hope that this is another delaying tactic by the ANC NEC.
In a letter, the ANC Investigative Team in North West, Dina Pule said: “The scheduled hearing for the hearings with councillors will commence on 12 until 16 June 2023. We have invited implicated councillors for the hearings from 12 – 16 June 2023 at the Rustenburg Civic Centre.
“Those councillors are Anna Bonga from ward 1 in the City of Matlosana (Dr Kenneth Kaunda region) at 12 June 2023, 09h00 – 09h30 2. Mothusi Pelele (Ward 13) 12 June 2023, 09h30 – 10h00 3. Portia Nyaqela (Ward 14) 12 June 2023, 10h00 – 10h30 4. Sisi Muhlanga (Ward 06) 12 June 2023, 10h30 – 11h00 5. Mmokgo Mogatla (Ward 26) 12 June 2023, 11h00 – 11h30 6. Queen Mahumapelo (Ward 23) 12 June 2023, 11h30 – 12h00.”
Pule said the hearing will continue with Victor Foboki (Ward 36) 12 June 2023, at 12h00 – 12h30 Rustenburg Municipality (Bojanala), 8. Mapogo Elek Mosete (Ward 38) 12 June 2023, 12h30 – 13h00 9. Fani Moathe (Ward 10) 12 June 2023, 14h00 – 14h30 10. Alphios Mosito (Ward 39) 12 June 2023, 14h30 – 15h00 11. Obrie Makhuto 12 June 2023, (Ward 22) 15h00 – 15h30 12. Vuyiswa Shomang (Ward 31) 12 June 2023, 15h30 – 16h00 Moses Kotane Municipality (Bojanala) 13. Jeremiah Mogaki (Ward 23) 12 June 2023, 16h00 – 16h30 14. Mamikie Radiokana (Ward 18) 12 June 2023, 16h30 – 17h00 Ditsobotla Municipality (Ngaka Moleme) 15. Boipelo Moroke (Ward 02) 13 June 2023, 09h00 – 09h30 16. Phillip Lotteren (Ward 04) 13 June 2023 09h30 – 10h00 Ratlou Municipality (Ngaka Moleme) 17. Thabang Mothibedi (Ward 04) 13 June 2023 10h00 – 10h30 Mahikeng Municipality (Ngaka Moleme) 18. Thepiso Motshabi (Ward 02) 13 June 2023 10h30 – 11h00 Taung Municipality (DR R.S Mompati) 19. Tumo Tabe (Ward 02) 13 June 2023 11h00 – 11h30 20. Mothusi Mojanaga (Ward 14) 13 June 2023 11h30 – 12h00 21. Lerato Babuseng (Ward 12) 13 June 2023 12h00 – 12h30 22. Gladys Melamu (Ward 18) 13 June 2023 12h30 – 13h00 23. Pico Seepamere (Ward 15) 13 June 2023 14h00 – 14h30 24. Dolly Pusho (Ward 23) 13 June 2023 14h30 – 15h00 Kgetleng River Municipality (Bojanala) 25. Amogelang Selaledi (Ward 06) 13 June 2023 15h00 – 15h30 26. Virginia Molatone (Ward 01) 13 June 2023 15h30 – 16h00 27. Mamiki Molefe (Ward 03) 13 June 2023 16h00 – 16h30.
“Each of these councillors should be instructed to bring along all available evidence and proof of their nomination through voting by the communities during the 2021 Local Government candidate selection process of the ANC. We also request the office of the ANC provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo to make all records pertaining to the nomination of these councillors available for inspection and scrutiny by the investigative team.
“The regional offices and former IRC officials might be of assistance in this regard. All the invited councillors are at liberty to bring witnesses to confirm that they were duly elected by the communities to be councillors in their respective wards,” she said.
The money laundering case against Jan Jacobus Van Niekerk was transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court by the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame said, Van Niekerk is facing 337 charges of fraud and 20 of money laundering.
“He, in the company of his attorney, handed himself over to the SAPS’ Provincial Commercial Crimes Unit on 30 May 2023 and was subsequently charged with fraud and money laundering amounting to over R10 million. The police investigations reveal that Van Niekerk was employed by Botselo Mills (Pty) LTD as an accountant and authorised to transact on the company’s accounts.
“It is alleged that, between January 2017 and July 2022, Van Niekerk submitted forms fraudulently requiring approval for payment to be made into the accounts of service providers for a service that was not rendered. It was further discovered that in the forms, he provided the names of the service providers that are in the company database, but fraudulently replaced their banking account numbers into his six personal banking accounts that he holds with two major banks,” Mamothame said.
He further said, the police also discovered that Van Niekerk allegedly had working relationships with some of the companies he submitted for payment. Mamothame added that the investigations into the matter are completed and the state is ready to proceed with a pre-trial conference in the next court sitting.
“The case was postponed to 19 July 2023 and Van Niekerk was granted R12 000 bail. The court ordered him to report to his nearest police station once a week between 6am and 6pm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police for the arrest and commended the prosecution team led by the Head of the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit in the North West, Adv Bongani Chauke and the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Dintletse Molefe for a collaboration that led to the arrest and court appearances of the accused.
Picture: The accused person, Esther Mwanza arrested by the Hawks/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Two women who were brought to South Africa from the Democratic Republic of Congo for alleged human trafficking purposes were rescued by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team from a house in Klerksdorp. It is reported that, on 20 January 2023, two females aged 20 and 31 were found at Esther Mwanza’s home.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said: “The victims are alleged to have been trafficked from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Africa, where they allegedly endured labour exploitation. The victims were interviewed and subsequently taken to a place of safety, which was provided by the Department of Social Development.
“Esther Mwanza (41) made a brief appearance at the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 2 June 2023, following her arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Klerksdorp for trafficking in persons. Meanwhile, the case has been postponed to 9 June 2023 for a formal bail application.”
Picture: A pangolin allegedly found in possession of suspects in Vryburg/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Four suspects aged between 43 and 59 were arrested in Vryburg on 2 June 2023 for allegedly being in possession of a Pangolin. The suspects were allegedly stopped by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation and members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team along Vryburg Road, while on their way to Mahikeng to meet a buyer of a pangolin.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said, the suspects were selling the pangolin for R60 000. She further said, the search was conducted and a pangolin was allegedly found in a bag in the boot of the vehicle.
“The vehicle was seized for further investigation and the pangolin was handed over to members of Nature Conservation. The suspects will appear at the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on 5 June 2023 for contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004.
“Meanwhile, the case against Teboho Kodwa (28), Deon Mubhada (33) Kabelo Batsi (36), and Lesego Siana (45), who were arrested in possession of two pangolins in Mahikeng, has been adjourned to 6 June 2023,” concluded Rikhotso.
Picture: Learners celebrating National Child Protection Week/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
In order to ensure that children in the North West are safe, the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) visited various schools across the province in commemoration of the annual National Child Protection Week. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said this year’s celebration was between 29 May and 5 June 2023.
Funani further said, the police from different police stations across all four districts, visited schools in their vicinity.
“During their school visits, the police officials educated school children ranging from Grade 4 to Grade 7 about domestic violence, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), bullying, alcohol, and drug abuse. The learners were also taught their rights, and how to respect their teachers and their elders.
“Khulisa Primary School, Gatelapele Secondary, and Maquassi Hills English School were among those schools the police officers visited. The police officers, who visited those schools, also prayed for learners as they were about to start their June exams,” she said.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the units such as the Family, Child, Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (FCS), Crime Prevention and Employee at the Health and Wellness (EHW), who visited the schools. Kwena also encouraged learners to stay in school and get involved in sports activities in quest of staying away from drugs and alcohol.
Meanwhile, the People’s Assembly said: “The Child Protection Week is commemorated in the country annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).
“The campaign is led by the Department of Social Development in partnership with key government departments and civil society organisations rendering child protection services. Child Protection Week in South Africa serves as a platform to raise awareness about the rights, needs, and vulnerabilities of children.”
According to the People’s Assembly website, this is an opportunity to educate individuals, families, communities, and institutions about the crucial role they play in safeguarding children’s well-being.
This year’s theme is: ‘Let us Protect Children during Covid-19 and Beyond’.
The Center for Global Development said, there is a wealth of evidence that shows that social grants for child care are good for their health and welfare. The centre said children who receive social grants saw improved nutrition, more schooling, and less labour-force participation, and were more likely to possess formal identity documents. Below is a list of social grants that the government distributes for child care.
A man (44) has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the North Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria on Thursday for killing his girlfriend. Ishamael Mofolo, who resided at Checkers Section in Maboloka village, near Brits killed his girlfriend, Florence Bong (43) on 4 April 2022.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said, Mofolo was called by his brother, who wanted to understand why they (the convict and his girlfriend) failed to arrive at Letlhabile Mall as agreed upon. Tselanyane said, in his response, Mofolo told his brother that he did something terrible and hung up the phone.
“The brother together with his sister went to their parental residence, where the accused was residing. Upon arrival, they knocked at the door, but there was no response. They then forced entry by breaking the door open and eventually found Bongo’s lifeless body inside the house covered with blood.
“It was established that, Mofolo drank poison in an attempt to commit suicide. The police were called to the crime scene. Mofolo was apprehended and transported to the local hospital, where he was placed under police guard. After appearing in court, he was granted bail, which was withdrawn after being found guilty,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Kwena applauded the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Julius Nkgoeng from Letlhabile Detectives and all other role players including prosecution for their excellent collaboration, which he said, will send a stern warning to those perpetrators, who commit Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F).
The residents of Greater ZF Mgcawu District in Upington have mixed reactions regarding the Basic Laws Amendment Bill (Bela Bill). This was evident during the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education’s visit yesterday.
The committee completed the first of three public hearings in the Northern Cape on Friday, as part of its nationwide public participation process, which is the bedrock of the participatory democratic process.
The chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said, those that supported the Bill, highlighted its necessity to deal with many practical challenges faced within the public education system, while those against it painted the apprehension with what they view as unnecessary veto powers conferred to the heads of the provincial departments of education.
She further said. those who supported the Bill tinted the current misuse of powers by School Governing Bodies (SGBs). Mbinqo-Gigaba added, they argued that the Bill will eliminate discriminatory tendencies exhibited by some SGBs that included the exclusion of some learners from different racial backgrounds.
“They emphasised that one of the benefits that will be derived from the implementation of the Bill will be the equality of all languages in the country. Those opposed to the Bill argued that, the Bill undermines the principle of cooperative governance in the running of schools, as each level of administration has clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
“They further emphasised that the SGBs are best placed to make decisions on language and admission policies for schools, given their better understanding of the socio-economic and other realities in the communities where the schools are situated,” she said.
Mbinqo-Gigaba said, regarding the reporting of financial reports on a quarterly basis, those against the Bill asserted that this was practically impossible and will put undue administrative burden on the SGBs. She said, also, there was an argument that the clause that proposes that members of the SGB must declare financial interests was unconstitutional and would most likely contravene the Protection of Personal Information Act.
“Those that supported the Bill were of the view that by imposing quarterly reporting cycles, it will stop the problem of misuse of funds early and ensure that school finances are administered fairly and ethically. Furthermore, they argued that this quarterly reporting cycle will empower communities with information on the financial management in schools and will reduce occurrences of corruption and squandering of scarce resources.
“There were also divergent views regarding clause 41, with those supporting the Bill emphasising that the public education system was increasingly compelled to deal with the challenge of the rising pregnancy at schools and the Bill would provide a framework on how best to deal with this matter. Also, some highlighted that the clause will ensure that a girl child remains in school thereby resolving the high dropout rate of female learners,” said Mbinqo-Gigaba.
She said those opposing the Bill raised concerns that the Bela Bill was advocating for comprehensive sexual education, something they viewed as a foreign tendency seeking to impose a form of colonialism in the education system. Mbinqo-Gigaba said clause 37 of the Bill, which proposes the regulation of the home-schooling environment also raised contrasting perspectives from participants. She said for supporters, the home-schooling environment required monitoring to ensure education does occur and to gauge progression within the basic education schooling system.
“Those who opposed the Bill asserted that the Bill takes away the responsibility, which home-schooling parents have assumed of ensuring that their children learn despite some challenges they face. Also, there was an argument that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not, through this Bill, attempt to resolve many of the challenges the sector faces daily, such as overcrowding in schools, the lack of adequate infrastructure and the unavailability of qualified educators.
“Some asked about the practicability of monitoring the vast system when currently provincial education systems are struggling to monitor public schools under their purview. Some parents argued that despite their many attempts to interact with the Minister, especially on clause 37 their pleas were not considered leaving the committee with a not researched Bill that does not cater for the needs of unique learners,” she said.
Mbingo-Gigaba said the committee welcomed all inputs made and assured the participants that their perspectives have been heard. The committee will today hold a session in Kuruman to enable the residents of John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality to make representations to the committee.
She said the committee emphasises that all interested individuals and organisations are welcomed to make submissions.
Picture: The former Ditsobotla Local Municipality speaker, the late Fikile Jakeni/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the passing of the municipal speaker of Ditsobotla Local Municipality. Fikile Jakeni passed away on Thursday evening after a long illness.
The Ditsobotla Local Municipality mayor, Elizabeth Lethoko said the death of Jakeni was confirmed by a family member.
“The passing of the distinguished speaker is devastating. Jakeni was more than a speaker for our municipality. He was a beacon of wisdom and strength, as he dedicated his life to the service of the people of Ditsobotla. His influence reached far beyond the confines of our local region.
“His unwavering dedication to public service and a deep-seated passion for social justice has indelibly shaped our community. Jakeni was a friend, a mentor and a guide to all of us, who had the privilege of working alongside him. His contribution to our community is immeasurable and his absence in our hearts is unbearable,” Lethoko said.
She further said, in these moments of deep sorrow and loss, they stand in solidarity with the Jakeni family. Lethoko added that, they mourn this monumental loss and also remember and celebrate the remarkable life of Jakeni, whose legacy will forever be etched in the history of Ditsobotla.
“We kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of the Jakeni family during this challenging time. Details regarding the funeral and memorial service will be shared in due course. We have lost a leader, but his spirit and his teachings will continue to guide us in the days, months and years to come,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape said: “Jakeni was elected as the speaker of Ditsobotla Local Municipality through a coalition following the by-elections in December 2022. He rose to prominence in the 1990s as a Congress of South African Students Organisation (COSAS) activist and has occupied several leadership positions in the African National Congress (ANC), ANC Youth League (ANCYL), as well as South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).
“Jakeni was a selfless and dedicated public representative. He passed away at the time the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) is investing all its energies in finding a permanent solution to a number of administrative and financial challenges confronting the municipality.”
Maape said Jakeni would be of excellent service in seeing to the success of several intervention measures they have developed to stabilise the municipality. He described Jakeni as a hard worker, who was dedicated to serving the people of Ditsobotla.
“We offer our condolences to Jakeni’s family, friends, colleagues and residents of Ditsobotla and the people of North West,” he said.
Some shoppers at Taung Mall were taken by surprise to see the kudu statue, which represents the Batlhaping and Barolong tribes in Taung being taken down. They said this felt like a betrayal to these two tribes as the statue was a sign of identification.
However, the Taung Square management urged the community at large to ease their minds as the removal of the statue was done for safety reasons.
The Eris Property Group Manager, Carina Roux said the removal of the kudu statue was imminent because of its deterioration. Roux further said, the statue was no safer and poses a danger to children and community members at large, who shop at the square.
“Unfortunately, the statue showed signs of deterioration and this posed a risk to the children that play around the area. The safety of the community and its children is of paramount importance to the management team and owners of Taung Square. Therefore, it was necessary to urgently remove it before someone was possibly injured.
“The Taung Square management team and owners are busy formalizing a project, in which the community will be engaged to participate in respect of a replacement for the statue,” Roux said.
The Guardian 