By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Magogong village, near Taung demand a satellite police station. They said over the years, crime has increased in their area and that affects almost every citizen irrespective of their economic status. 

One of the community leaders, Tebogo Morweng said, they had a satellite police station in their area, but it was shut down indefinitely a few years ago. Morweng further said, now crime is prevalent and they are planning a peaceful march to deliver a memorandum of demand.

“We are busy with petitions and we will embark on an awareness campaign. We will write letters to the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari, North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Sello Kwena, and the Minister of Police, Gen Bheki Cele.     

“The population in our area has grown and we need high police visibility. Also, there are some unresolved criminal cases in our area, so we will need an update on them. Most of the crimes committed in our area are contact crime and house-breaking,” he said.

Morweng said mostly, the community complained about stock theft, domestic violence, and house-breaking, which are rife in their area. He added, now people are forced to travel over 20km to Taung Police Station for assistance, which is too far.

“The community members alleged that, usually, the police don’t respond in time when called on crime scenes as they allegedly had no vehicles. They also complain about poor police visibility, while police officers allegedly utilised the state vehicles for personal use,” he said.

Kwena said: “We have a limited number of satellite police officials that, we are placing there. It is a fact that, more police officers are needed and it is part of our human resources.

“When you look at what the president and minister said at the beginning of last year, they talked about 10 000 police personnel recruitment projects. Those aspirant police officers are in the colleges as we speak.”

He added that, they will be coming out of the colleges around 15 December 2022 to try and address the shortages within the ranks of the police. Kwena highlighted that, they had a satellite police station in Freedom Park, Magogong, Majakaneng and Komomeng.

“All three satellite police stations were torched by the communities. We will always move the resources where there are hotspots and priorities. At no stage, we will have all resources that we need in the current situation.

“However, if there is a need, we have adequate resources to respond to those issues that might be raised. It is a fact that, more police officers are needed and it is part of our human resource,” he said.

According to Crime Stats SA, housebreaking is the most common crime experienced by households in South Africa. A total of 983 000 households experienced housebreaking incidences in the 2021/22 period. More than 41,9% of households are headed by women.

The second most common type of crime experienced by households is home robbery, affecting 155 000 households. 

Assault is the third most common type of crime, affecting 99 000 households. Data shows that the experience of crime by households has increased for housebreaking, home robbery, assault, and murder. The experience of theft of motor vehicles by households declined from 81 000 in 2020/21 to 42 000 in 2021/22.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West Department of Health bid farewell to 20 students, who are heading to Cuba to study medicine through the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical program. The Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical program is aimed at training disadvantaged African black medical students in Cuba in order to meet the needs of rural and urban populations across the country.

One of the students, Omogolo Moopelwa (19) from Choseng village near Taung said, she feels privileged to be part of this program. Moopelwa said there were many individuals who applied for the program, but unfortunately, they did not make it.

“I do not feel lucky but blessed because it has always been my dream to become a medical doctor. This should be a motivation by itself that, now my dream is manifesting into reality. I was raised by a single mother because my father passed away when I was only 4.

“I finished my matric at Choseng Secondary School and aims to bring the necessary changes into my community after finishing my course. So, I have realised that there is a shortage of medical doctors, especially in rural areas and that might be one of the contributing factors to poor services in various healthcare facilities,” she said.

Another student, Omphemetse Gabogope (23), who is also from Choseng village, near Taung shared the same sentiments. Gabogope said, indeed this is a golden opportunity for him and he will work hard to achieve his mark.

“Indeed, God is great because only a few people get this kind of opportunity in their lifetime. So, I cannot blow it away because in most cases, there are challenges marring healthcare centres, especially in rural areas. I will study hard and ensure that I do my work diligently as a medical doctor,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha, who was the keynote speaker during the valediction event said, these beneficiaries have been selected from across all four districts and will be placed under internship upon graduation.

He further said, they will also embark on community service programs at various health facilities as part of servicing their bursary obligation. The North West Department of Health has participated in the program since its inception in 1998 and to date, 407 graduates have been produced under this initiative.

“Students should know the reason for their going to Cuba. They are going there to study not for leisure purposes. People cannot complain about the living conditions in Cuba, but just take a look across the province and tell me what you see.

“You may have difficult conditions in Cuba, but what is not said is the reasons. It is because of the long-known location by US government because they do not have supplied content. So, living conditions in Cuba are imposed by their difference with the US government on ideological questions of their state,” Sambatha said.

He said five years from now, these students will be expected to be in South Africa. Sambatha said it should not be difficult to keep focus for five years.

“The aim of this program is to ensure that the families of these individuals are released from the bondage of poverty. The living conditions in Cuba are like any other living conditions in any South African university.

“Cuba is a socialist country and these students are not there for leisure. What is needed is commitment and the only way to liberate ourselves from poverty is through education. We have a high rate of unemployment in South Africa and this is a great opportunity for them,” he said.

He added that, the skills that these students will acquire from Cuba are the same as those from the local universities, but the medical training in Cuba is more community orientated. Sambatha who failed to provide figures on how much they have budgeted for the program said, this is a bilateral agreement, which means it includes a national and provincial budget.

“North West is one of the provinces with a lesser number of doctors available and this program will assist us. In the coming five years, we may have our own medical university. We are working with the North West University (NWU),” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A stock-theft case against the former policeman, Godfrey Itumeleng Setatwe (45) will resume at Vryburg Magistrate’s Court today for a formal bail application. Setatwe, who was stationed at Taung Police Station and working for the stock-theft unit, was arrested on 20 August 2022 for being in possession of suspected stolen livestock.

According to the North West police spokesperson, Aafje Botma, the accused was arrested by Vryburg police while travelling on N18 road towards Pudimoe. Botma said, the police spotted a suspicious-looking bakkie and stopped it for a search.

“During the search, 21 goats worth R42 000 were found at the back of the bakkie. The driver was questioned but failed to give a proper account for the possession. It was also established that he did not have transportation documents.

“As a result, he was arrested for stock theft and taken to Vryburg Police Station. Upon arrival, he allegedly tried to run away and assaulted two police officers who were detaining him. He was subsequently restrained and detained,” she said.

Botma said the livestock was given back to the lawful owner after he was successfully traced. Setatwe was remanded in custody until 6 September 2022. He is also having a pending case of fraud, where he allegedly connived with a convict, who alleged that his cellphone was lost.

Setatwe allegedly made a false affidavit for the convict, but he was arrested after the police preliminary investigation.

The case is still on trial.

Meanwhile, the North West police said stock-theft cases have increased in the province. The Provincial Head Crime Registrar, Brig Jeanette Sakalengwe Ntshabele said: “There is an increase in property-related crimes such as stock theft, theft out of motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicles, and burglaries in both residential and business premises.

“We have experienced a 10% increase in stock theft and the most affected districts are, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, and Bojanala, while Dr Kenneth Kauda managed a decrease. North West is also amongst the top four provinces in the country experiencing property-related crimes.”

Ntshabele also urges households, especially in rural areas to beef up their security as criminals are now infiltrating rural areas.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Pampierstad and neighbouring towns such as Hartswater and Jan Kempdorp in Northern Cape, urged the law enforcement agencies to utilise all available resources at their disposal to combat crime.

The community members said there is a high rate of crime in their areas especially in Hartswater CBD. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the Hawks in Northern Cape had an outreach program in quest of creating awareness and educating the public about its role and functionality.  

One of the residents, Mashope Kanakang said, now criminals are committing crime with impunity because there is lawlessness. Kanakang said, they do not feel safe anymore when they are shopping in Hartswater because criminals continue to terrorise them.  

“We would like to see high visibility of police, especially in town. Criminals are taking advantage because you hardly see police patrolling. Now, I think things will escalate as the festive season is approaching.  

“There is chaos wherever you go, especially during the social grants phase. Some criminals masquerade as car guards, while others take people’s hard-earned cash under false pretense through gambling,” she said.

Modise Kalakgosi from Bonita park shared the same sentiments. Kalakgosi said, he is a victim of criminality and he was pick-pocketed in town in daylight.

“People will walk past you as if nothing is happening. So, we call for high police visibility, especially around taxi rank and secluded areas. You’ll find a lot of criminals there selling nyaope, while others are loitering in the streets looking for their next prey.

“We want a safer environment and that will only happen when the police take control by stamping their authority. They should also combat the selling of drugs by activating operations. Police should apply a zero-tolerance approach towards criminals and ensure that everyone is safe,” he said.

Thebe said: “The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the Hawks have been established as an independent directorate within the South African Police Service (SAPS) in terms of Section 17C of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 as amended by the South African Police Service Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 57 of 2008).

“The Hawks is responsible for the combating, investigation and prevention of national priority crimes such as serious organized crime, serious commercial crime and serious corruption in terms of Section 17B and 17D of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 as amended.”

Thebe further said, they visited Hartswater, Pampierstad and Jan Kempdorp, where they engaged with various community members. He said they are happy that, most of community members were keen on understanding the role and functionality of the Hawks.

“We have picked up that, some community members are aware of our existence because they posed various questions that were aligned with our role and functionality. So, we are happy with the reception. We have also picked up that, there are prevalent crimes such as human trafficking and the scourge of drugs, especially in Hartswater. So, we urge community members to report any criminal activities within their vicinities.

“Some criminals are masquerading as vendors while selling drugs. We have also realised that most of the drugs come from Longaneng and Magogong villages. There are some houses in Hartswater that are known as havens for criminals, but community members give a blind eye,” said Thebe.

He added that, they will continue with their awareness campaign throughout the province. Thebe said, some community members alleged that some police officers are working with criminals and this creates a backlog during investigations.  

“The South African Police Service Amendment Act, 2012 (Act 10 of 2012) introduced the reporting procedures as provided in Section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 which stipulates that reporting should be made to any police officer. 

“In terms of the latest amendment, all such offenses must now be reported to a member of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation. So, some cases that will be reported to us will be de-referred to relevant law enforcement agencies because we are working hand-in-hand,” he said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A Grade R teacher from Mahikeng Primary School, Judith Motsusi has scooped a prestigious 2022 SHERO award. The glamorous ceremony was held in Houghton Hotel, Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Motsusi, who was nominated for the competition by a learner she taught in 2021 said, she is grateful to be crowned the winner. All participants were entered online directly to the National Department of Basic Education.

“This is exceptional on its own and I highly appreciate the award. I have achieved this through discipline, dedication, and determination. The award will also motivate me to work harder.

“I was not even aware that my learner has entered my name into the competition, now, I am the national winner. I am truly grateful for the learner to recognise my efforts and push my name to the national stage. This award will propel my work to benefit more learners,” she said.

North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said, this is a motivation for all teachers in the province. She also congratulated Motsusi and said teachers are the ‘transformers’ of society, and the public should honour them.  

“As the department, we are truly excited about this achievement. Motsusi is a typical example of a hard-working teacher in this province. Again, this award came on the day we celebrated International World Teachers Day.

Motsusi walked away with a laptop, an R1000 voucher from Woolworths, and an R5000 voucher for her school.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A serial rapist has been sentenced to four life imprisonment by the North West High Court in Mmabatho on Tuesday.  Tumisang Sesinyi (28) terrorised the community of Dinokana in Lehurutshe near Zeerust between 2012 and 2018.

Sesinyi was apprehended on 11 October 2018 at a dumping site after community members spotted him and informed the police.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The accused targeted the local Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET) college female students and raped them. During the commission of the crimes, the violent Sesinyi would attack and ultimately rape women aged between 19 and 26.”

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the chastisement handed over to Sesinyi and applauded investigating officers of Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) in the Lehurutshe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.

“We would also like to commend the prosecutor, advocate Benny Kalakgosi as well as other role players for their excellent collaboration, which sends a stern warning that those who commit crimes and in the process, violate women and children, will not be spared.  

“He also thanked members of the community for their cooperation that led to the arrest,” Kwena said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The beleaguered Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe is ‘caught up’ in his own ‘web of lies’  if the appointment letter he allegedly signed and sent to the Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi is anything to go by. Gaoraelwe was involved in a car accident and crashed the municipality’s R700 000 SUV on Monday afternoon just 15km outside Schweizer Reneke towards Wolmaranstad. 

According to the letter, Gaoraelwe appointed Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) councillor, Mika Moeti as the acting mayor from 29 September until 3 October 2022. Now, the F4SD president, Mbahare Kekana, who confirmed that indeed Moeti received the appointment letter as an acting mayor, calls for a probe. 

“Yes, it is true that our councillor, Mika Moeti who is also the Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) chairperson on Finance and F4SD national chairperson, was appointed as the acting mayor from 29 September until 3 October 2022.

“We have a letter to attest to that. We were shocked after we received calls that Gaoraelwe was involved in a car accident using the mayoral car. So, we condemn that with all the strongest terms. What he did is the abuse of state resources and should be charged,” Kekana said.

He further said, what shocked them worse is that, Gaoraelwe was driving himself.

“We want to know, where was the mayor’s driver during this? Also, whether or not the family members of the mayor are allowed to travel in the municipal vehicle is not much of an issue, the bottom line is, he was on leave.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Sam Nape said: “We are calling for the entire community of Taung to hold Gaoraelwe accountable for irresponsible and deplorable behaviour on his part, where he illegally took possession of the mayoral vehicle.

“This led to him crashing the car outside the geographical boundaries of the very same local municipality he has been entrusted by our voters to lead. Even more concerning is the fact that, the mayor is said to have been on leave at the time of this irresponsible car wreckage incident and he was allegedly drunk whilst travelling with a girlfriend.”

Nape said as the DA, opposed the acquisition of the very same vehicle given its high-end price tag of more than R 700 000 given that, BMW X3 is not only exorbitant but is also unfit for traversing the municipality’s road landscape.

He said, therefore, they call for the removal of the ‘delinquent’ mayor and wish to reiterate that only the DA can provide an accountable and efficient government to the people of Greater Taung.  

Meanwhile, Gaoraelwe came out guns blazing and defended himself over drunk allegations. He insists that, he was ‘sober’ during the accident.   

According to the North West police, Gaoraelwe was allegedly driving behind a tractor in the same direction and collided with it during a failed attempt to overtake.

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “Upon arrival at the scene, the police found a vehicle belonging to the mayor and a tractor involved in an accident. It is alleged that, a tractor that was travelling towards Wolmaranstad was off-ramping from the main road, while Gaoraelwe was driving behind it.

“Gaoraelwe allegedly tried to overtake the tractor but collided with the rear right side of it. No injuries were sustained by the driver and the passenger of the vehicle and only damages to both vehicles were reported,” van Rooyen said.

She said a case of reckless and negligent driving was opened by the police and is still under investigation. 

North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that, indeed Gaoraelwe was travelling with his ex-wife and two children, which is contrary to the police’s preliminary response.  

Gaoraelwe said: “First of all, I was not on leave because if I was, there could have been an acting mayor. So, no one was acting because I was not on leave. According to the regulation, as councillors, one can take an absence of leave, but it should be granted by the municipal speaker through consultation with the council.

“That’s how straightforward it is, so, I was not on leave. Yes, I had an accident, but I was still not on leave. I was with my ex-wife including my children in the car.” 

He further said, he was driving his ex-wife and children back to Klerksdorp and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) mayoral handbook allows him to use an official vehicle for private matters.

“It allows me to use this car for official and private matters. My extended or closest family members are also allowed to be in the car. Even worse, they are allowed to drive the car.

“Let me tell you another thing that is worse, my girlfriend is also allowed to drive this car, if I declared her at the municipality. So, who was in the car is not much of an issue,” said Gaoraelwe.

He added that, he still has a relationship with his wife by a virtue of having children together. Gaoraelwe said for the purpose of the accident report, he was not drunk and even his blood was drawn from him for a test.

“I am ok, and I am wondering why people persist that there was a woman in the car without mentioning my children who were also in the car. there were two boys in the car, but no one is mentioning it.

“You guys are talking about a woman in the car as if she was a stranger or a concubine. I am also a human being and I do not like this type of journalism,” concluded Gaoraelwe.

*He failed to confirm the authenticity of the appointment letter at the time of publishing this article.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sabambatha said the province cannot be treated differently in a crisis. This comes after power utility, Eskom excluded the North West hospitals from load shedding exemption.

The minister of health, Dr Joe Phaahla announced on Monday that, key hospitals across the country will be exempted from load shedding. Phaahla said, his department had a consultative engagement with Eskom in September 2022 to consider exempting key hospitals in the country from load-shedding as part of mitigating against the impact of the energy crisis.

Sambatha said the request from the national department was for provinces to submit the list of hospitals to be considered for exemption, which they did.

“However, there is not even a single hospital from North West in that list of hospitals that have just been released. We are concerned that, there seems to be no appreciation of health as an essential service.

“Provinces cannot be treated differently in a crisis. Just like other provinces, the North West did submit a list of hospitals to be exempted from load-shedding,” he said. 

Sambatha further said, they were concerned when they saw Mpumalanga hospital listed under North West when the first list was published. 

There were allegations that North West province failed to submit the list, however, Sambatha squashed those allegations and said they are untrue. 

“We have made a follow-up requesting the minister’s intervention as the province cannot be treated as if it is not part of South Africa. North West hospitals will be severely affected should the load shedding persist.

“At the moment, some services get interrupted and patients are beginning to complain due to the number of times they have to wait for electricity to return,” he said.

Buoyed Sambatha added that, if the province is not included by next week based on its submission, they will organise a provincial march targeting Eskom and demand that the province be included in the list of hospitals that are exempt from load shedding.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe came out guns blazing and defended himself over ‘drunkness’ allegations. This comes after the ‘sober’ Gaoraelwe allegedly crashed the municipality’s luxury BMW X5 worth R700 000 in an accident on Monday afternoon.

There were allegations that, he was drunk during the accident, but insist that ‘he was sober like a judge’.  

He was involved in an accident 15km outside Schweizer Reneke, while driving to Klerksdorp. According to the North West police, Gaoraelwe was allegedly driving behind a tractor in the same direction and collided with it during a failed attempt to overtake.

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “Upon arrival at the scene, the police found a vehicle belonging to the mayor and a tractor involved in an accident. It is alleged that, a tractor that was travelling towards Wolmaranstad was off-ramping from the main road, while Gaoraelwe was driving behind it.

“Gaoraelwe allegedly tried to overtake the tractor but collided with the rear right side of it. No injuries were sustained by the driver and the passenger of the vehicle and only damages to both vehicles were reported,” van Rooyen said.

She said a case of reckless and negligent driving was opened by the police and is still under investigation.  

There were allegations that Gaoralewe was on leave and has appointed F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti as the acting mayor. However, Gaoralwe refuted them and insisted that, even though he was on a private trip during the accident, he was not on leave.

“First of all, I was not on leave because if I was, there could have been an acting mayor. So, no one was acting because I was not on leave. According to the regulation, as councillors, one can take an absence of leave, but it should be granted by the municipal speaker through consultation with the council.

“That’s how straightforward it is, so, I was not on leave. Yes, I had an accident, but I was still not leaving. I was driving with my ex-wife including my children in the car,” he said.

He further said, he was driving his ex-wife and children back to Klerksdorp and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) mayoral handbook allows him to use an official vehicle for private matters.

“It allows me to use this car for official and private matters. My extended or closest family members are also allowed to be in the car. Even worse, they are allowed to drive the car.

“Let me tell you another thing that is worse, my girlfriend is also allowed to drive this car, if I declared her at the municipality. So, who was in the car is not much of an issue,” said Gaoraelwe.

He added that, he still has a relationship with his wife by a virtue of having children together. Gaoraelwe said for the purpose of the accident report, he was not drunk and even his blood was drawn from him for a test.

“I am ok, and I am wondering why people persist that there was a woman in the car without mentioning my children who were also in the car. there were two boys in the car, but no one is mentioning it.

“You guys are talking about a woman in the car as if she was a stranger or a concubine. I am also a human being and I do not like this type of journalism,” concluded Gaoraelwe.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe allegedly crashed the municipal luxury BMW X5. Gaoraelwe, who was allegedly too drunk to be behind the wheel was with his ‘girlfriend’ at the time of the accident.

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the accident took place 15km outside Shweizer Reneke towards Wolmaranstad on Monday afternoon.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the police found a vehicle belonging to the mayor and a tractor involved in an accident. It is alleged that a tractor that was travelling toward Wolmaranstad was off ramping from the main road, while Gaoraelwe was driving behind it.

“However, Gaoraelwe allegedly tried to overtake but collided with the rear right side of the tractor. No injuries were sustained by the driver and the passenger of the vehicle and only damages to both vehicles were reported,” van Rooyen said.

She said a case of reckless and negligent driving was opened by the police and is under investigation. According to information, Gaoraelwe was on leave at the time and appointed F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti as the acting mayor.

Meanwhile, the municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi, and municipality spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to our media inquiry on why Gaoraelwe was using an official municipal vehicle, while on leave.

Gaoraelwe also did not respond to our WhatsApp messages and calls before publishing this article.

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