By OBAKENG MAJE

The family of Moretlwe in Myra village, near Taung seeks help for their son, who is suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), previously referred to as Asperger’s disorder.

Boingotlo Moretlwe said her cousin, Onkgomoditse Kitso Moretlwe (9), is attending at Myra Primary School, however, there are no changes as he continues to repeat Grade 1. She further said Kitso is repeating Grade 1 for the third time this year.  

“My brother cannot copy at a normal public school. We tried a couple of times to enroll him at Sebitloane Special School without any luck. What is painful is that, we did everything that was required by the school, such as filling out application forms.

“However, to this date, the boy is still doing Grade 1 for the third time. Kitso is not even comfortable interacting with other normal learners. We need the necessary help because we do not know what needs to be done for him to be accepted at Sebitloane Special School,” she said.

Boingotlo said, this has affected them negatively as a family. She said, what they needed was communication from both school and the North West Department of Education.

“We want to know where we failed while doing the application so that we can fix it. So, any assistance will be highly appreciated so that the boy can be enrolled at the school,” said Boingotlo.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “There are admission procedures at special schools as learners ought to undergo an assessment by specialists at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg, which is a specialised field for relevant diagnosis.

“Remember. The classes are limited based on the type of challenges learners have. The autism class must have fewer learners for the class teacher to copy.

“There are parents who want to impose admission without following the relevant processes. The waiting list is long due to the number of classrooms we have and scarcity of the specialised therapists,” Malindi said.

He further said, Sebitloane Special School is catering to the whole district hence the waiting lists of assessed learners.

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Theetso ya beile e e potlakileng mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong le motshameki wa maloba o diphatsa wa setlhopa sa kgwele ya dinao sa Mighty Boys FC, yo ga jaana eleng rakgwebo, Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), e solofetswe go ka reediwa ke kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno.

Kgetsi e, ene ya busediwa morago ka letsatsi la 10 Ferikgong 2023 morago ga gore mmueledi wa balatofadiwa go kaiwe fa a sa ikutlwe sentle.

Bakang yo go begwang a rekisa seritibatsi sa nyaope, o ikuela gore a gololwe ka beile ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le Phenyo Katong (34). 

Balatofadiwa ba ne ba neela lekgotlha mabaka a gore, gobaneng ba tshwanetse go neelwa beile. Fela, lekgotlha le ne la lemotsha Bakang fa a na le kgetsi enngwe ya petelelo e a e sekang, mme o neetswe beile mo go yone.

Fela, o iphitlhetse gape a thulane le molao mo kgetsing e e masisi e a lebaganeng le yone ya polao.

Balotofadiwa bale bane, ba ne ba tshwarwa ka kgwedi ya Moranang 2022 le go latofadiwa ka polao e setlhogo ya ga Thabiso Mothibedi (35). Tiragalo e, e diragetse kwa motseng wa Manthe gaufi le Taung.

Go begwa fa Mothibedi yo go kaiwang fa a ne a goga seritibatsi sa nyaope, a ne a tsena kwa ntlung ya ga Katong, mme a utswa matsebetsebe a madi a balelwang go R20 000 ga mmogo le motsoko wa boleng jwa R600. Go begwa fa morago ga tiragalo eno, Mothibedi one a le botsa phokoje le go leba kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Capt Sam Tselanyane, o bega fa segongwana seno sa banna ba ba neng ba tshakgetse, ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go batlana le Mothibedi. Go kaiwa fa ba ne ba mo fitlhela ale ko ga mothakga kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

“Dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa segongwana seno sa banna, sene sa thopa Mothibedi ka dikgoka, mme ba leba le ene kwa motseng wa Manthe. Go begwa fa bane ba fitlha ba mo gokelela mo genereiteng, mme ba mo digela dingalo go utlwala.

“Dipaltisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa banna ba, ba ne ba mo itlhaganedisa kwa kliniking ya selegae morago ga go lemoga fa a neela mowa. Go begwa fa Mothibedi a ne a netefadiwa fa tlhokofetse kwa kliniking. Balatofadiwa ba ne ba tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao,” Tselanyane wa bega.

Tiragalo e, e ne ya tshakgatsa baagi ba motse wa Manthe. Ene ya re ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go fisa dintlo dile tharo tsa balatofadiwa ga mmogo le go ja sejanaga sa bone sa mabaibai ka molelo.

Banna ba, ba ne ba tswelela go ka shadikanya matlho fa pele ga kgotlha-tshekelo makgetlho a le mmalwa. Fela kgetsi ya bone ene ya busediwa morago go fitlha di 15 Tlhakole 2023. Go kaiwa fa banna bano, ba ba kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, ba ne ba dira kopo e potlakileng ya beile.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A search for a boy (5), who went missing at Reatlegile near Bloemhof continues. According to the police, Kamogelo Gaobuse was last seen by his mother on 12 January 2023 after dropping him off at school.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “It is alleged that the boy was dropped off at school by his mother. However, when the mother fetched him later, he was nowhere to be found.

“During his disappearance, Gaobuse was wearing a blue school uniform of Matlhajaneng Primary School and black school shoes. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Mzwawudelwe Liswe of the Bloemhof Detectives on 063 416 0961.”

Botma said anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the My SAPS App or you can phone Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A suspect (20) from Lokaleng village, near Taung, has been arrested for theft by police. This comes after a burglary was reported to the police on 13 January 2023.

According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, the incident took place in Reivilo.

“The owner of the house discovered that his home had been burgled when he arrived home from work and he opened a housebreaking case.

The items that were stolen during the burglary included a laptop, two cameras, a cellular phone, and groceries.

“The stolen items are all estimated at R19 885. The initial investigation led the detectives to Lokaleng Village in Taung, where the laptop was recovered.

“A suspect was arrested and briefly appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He is facing a charge of housebreaking and theft. The acting District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng commended the members for their swift response, which led to the arrest of the suspect,” said van Rooyen.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (42) has been arrested for being in possession of drugs at Vryburg. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, warrant officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the K9 police who were on patrol at Vryburg Central Business District, received information about drugs being sold at the Vryburg Taxi Rank.

“With a search warrant in their possession, the police followed up on the information and searched business premises inside the taxi rank. During the search, the police found substances identified as Methaqualone (Mandrax) tablets, Methamphetamine (Crystal meth), Cocaine and Methcathinone (CAT) with an estimated street value of R57 000.

“A case of possession or usage of a dependence-producing substance under the Drug Trafficking Act 140/1992 was opened and the suspect was arrested,” van Rooyen said.

She further said the suspect appeared in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West police have launched the departmental investigations against the police officers, who were summoned to the accident scene involving the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe. 

This comes after a leaked audio that depicts Gaoraelwe’s voice, confirming that, the police officers found him drunk and assisted him to clean-up the accident scene.

On 3 October 2022, the drunk Gaoraelwe, who was on leave at the time, crashed the municipality’s luxury BMW X3 valued at R700 000, just 15km outside Schweizer Reneke. 

The drunk Gaoraelwe was allegedly recorded by unknown individuals during a meeting recently. 

“You do not have phones with you and you are not recording? In the issue of the accident, this is what happened. I was travelling with my ex-wife and two children. Benz, my children are 3 and 2 respectively.

“So, our divorce settlement is that I’ll see my children every month. So, it is normal, when she is around, I see my children. If she is not around, when I go to my current partner, I leave her and go to see my children in Pretoria and that’s the tradition,” said Gaoraelwe.

He further said in the audio, at that time when his ex-wife, Sindisiwe Nkonyana was around, her mother had an emergency. According to Gaoraelwe, Nkonyana had to rush back to Pretoria. 

He added that, he had to take responsibility by driving Nkonyana back with the children and meet halfway at Wolmaransstad.

“So, after the accident happened, the first person I called was Katlego Gabanakgosi as the person I trusted. The police who arrived at the accident scene, found me in the car.

“I was drunk, but the police had no reason to believe that I was drunk. I was able to speak properly and it was the same as now. So, he cleared (cleaned-up) the scene. Have you seen somebody clearing the scene? He cleared everything and he said, my man….” Gaoraelwe said.

However, when Gaoraelwe asked about the leaked audio depicting his voice, he said he does not recall having any conversation like that and uttered those words. 

Gaoraelwe who seemed to be suffering from dissociative amnesia also said, South Africa has more than 52 million people and sometimes people’s voices sound the same.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “This new evidence (voice recording) received, will be investigated and a departmental investigation is underway concerning the alleged police conduct.

“A case of reckless and negligent driving was under investigation after the accident was reported in October 2022. During the accident, no person was injured and the case has been closed.”

Myburgh said, the police management is committed to deliver a professional service to the community and anyone dissatisfied can phone service complaints on 082 856 0995 or contact your local Station Commander.

Meanwhile, it’s been almost three months since the car accident happened. However, the crashed SUV continues to gather dust at the municipality’ storage.

However, the municipal spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant downplayed the issue and said, the vehicle is kept in the storage because an assessor has yet to conduct an investigation on it.

“The claim has been reported to the insurance and Gaoraelwe was offered a courtesy car as evidence of submission. All documents were submitted timeously and an assessor is yet to submit his report to the insurance,” said Oliphant.

He said, the insurance has appointed an assessor and his report will inform the municipality of the exact cost of repairs.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Kenny Morolong is set to appear before the ANC Disciplinary Committee (DC) at Protea Hotel in Mahikeng on 14 January 2023.

Morolong’s charges allegedly emanates from his utterances at the North West High Court in Mahikeng, where some disgruntled ANC members in the province, filed court papers against ANC PEC. They wanted the court to declare the ANC Provincial Elective Conference that took place in August 2022, invalid.

However, on 6 December 2022, the court dismissed their case. Morolong lashed out at the ANC PEC and called it fraudulent.

“We came here today to confirm what we already know, that this PEC is fraudulent and fictitious. We would not accept any wrongdoings within the ANC. We grew up in the ANC and we are more senior than many people who are in that PEC.

“So, we are not going to be afraid to confront injustice and we do not need any court of law to do that. The provincial elective conference was fictitious by all measures and we are not going to be intimidated by anybody,” he said.

Morolong further said, they do not care whether the PEC charges them or not because there is nothing that the PEC can do that they have not already done to the ANC. He added that the ANC PEC members have harmed and divided the ANC because they are assisted by ‘criminals.’

“Some of them are members of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC). However, we are not afraid of them and we will even tell them at the ANC national elective conference that they have divided this province even further.

“We will not even be surprised if some of them were bought to do that, because we know those characters. They are very dodgy and corrupt, however, comrades, some of us are undeterred,” said Morolong.

He also called for unity and lauded those who took ‘gigantic’ steps to go to court. Morolong said the unity of the ANC is synchronised and there were some attempts to bribe applicants.

“There is an audio clip that is circulating on social media platforms, where some of them tried to buy the applicants. If they think the elections were credible, why would they attempt to buy and intimidate the applicants? I can almost guarantee you that victory is certain on 6 December 2022,” said Morolong.

Now, the ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said: “The matter is before the Disciplinary Committee, so I would not like to dwell much on the merits of the case.

“But what we can confirm is that, indeed, Morolong has been charged and will appear before the Disciplinary Committee.”

However, Morolong who seems UNfazed said, he has strong views with regard to the charges. However, he said, he will voice his views during the disciplinary hearing.

“Indeed, I will be appearing before the ANC Disciplinary Committee, but out of respect for the ANC, not ANC PEC. I have very strong views with regard to the charges, but I’ll express them on Saturday,” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The North West police said a total number of 2523 people were arrested for various offenses during the festive season. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, this includes 309 suspects who were arrested for drug-related crime.

“We have arrested 618 for contact crime (including murder, attempted murder, assault, rape and other sexual offences), nine suspects for truck hijacking, 13 suspects were arrested for robbery with aggravating circumstances, while 64 suspects were arrested for house burglaries.

“We have also arrested 111 suspects for malicious damage to property, 30 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 32 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, 1041 for liquor related cases (drinking in public, drunk in a public place, illegal dealing and distribution of liquor),” she said.

Myburgh further said, 74 suspects were nabbed for contravention of the domestic violence act, while 143 undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. She added that, during the operations, 26 stolen or hijacked vehicles were also recovered.

“Twenty-two dangerous weapons were amongst the items seized. With more boots on the ground to heighten visibility, police in the province in conjunction with other security forces have been working hard to ensure that members of the community are safe,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the law enforcement for the successes and pointed out that the operations will continue to ensure the well-being and safety of all citizens through enhancement of police visibility.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Taung Agricultural College will be declared as a Higher Education College in terms of Section 21 (3)(a) of the Higher Education Act, no 101 of 1997 as amended starting from 1 April 2023, says the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) representative, Athenkosi Siziba.

“The notice is hereby given that on 1 April 2022, the Minister of a Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation intends to declare Taung College of Agriculture situated in Taung as a Higher Education College.

“The reasons for the declaration of this college as a Higher Education College is because, schedule 4 of the South African Constitution affirms that, tertiary education is a national competence,” Siziba said.

He further said, the DHET was established to enable a coherent and well-articulated offering of higher education, vocational education and skills development through a variety of post-school institutions.

Siziba added that, the DHET and Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development have entered into a protocol agreement to collaborate in addressing educational shared responsibilities and working towards declaring public Colleges of Agriculture as a Higher Education College, which is one of the constitutional types contemplated in the higher Education Act.

“A Higher Education College is an autonomous institution functioning within a legislated governance structure under a national department, with policies that regulate the way in which decisions can be made, and accountability required to the public and the national department.

“These colleges will be permitted to offer certificates, diplomas and degrees subject to meeting the accreditation requirements of the council on Higher Education. These qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA),” he said.

Siziba said this notice is issued in terms of Section 21(3)(b)(i) of the Higher Education Act and calls upon all interested persons to make written representations regarding the contemplated declaration.

All representations must be directed to the Office of the Director-General for the attention of Mr Athenkosi Siziba via email on Siziba.A@dhet.gov.za or any other legally recognized means of communication and must reach this office by no later than 16 January 2023.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) truck driver survived an accident at Taung Dam. This comes after the municipal employee plunged the municipality truck into a ditch after brake failure.

According to information, the accident took place on 26 December 2022, while the driver was on duty.

The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said: “The municipality is aware of the accident. The municipal employee was driving the vehicle, which unfortunately developed mechanical problems (brake failure) and lost control.

“The employee was on official duty, which is part of the municipality’s practice of putting employees on overtime during recess in order to ensure that essential services are provided.”

Oliphant further said, the driver did not suffer any injuries. He added, the case has been opened with the police and the insurance was also notified.

“The damages to the truck have not been determined as the insurance will advise on that,” said Oliphant.

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