Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Lekoko la sepolotiki la Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) kwa masepaleng wa selegae wa Lekwa-Teemane, la re le amogela tshwetso ya masepala ya go ka fedisa ditulo tse di sa tlhomamang. Go ya ka lekoko, bontsi jwa baagi ba tshelela mo tshotlhegong, mme seno se ama maemo a bone a botshelo.

Sebueledi sa lekoko mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Fanon Moema are, tshitshinyo (motion) eno, e tlhagisitswe ke lekoko la gagabo la EFF kwa khanseleng ya masepala ka di 5 Sedimonthole 2022.

“Maitlhomo le maikaelelo a tshitshinyo e, ke go netefatsa fa baagi ba rona ba ba dulang mo ditulong tse di sa tlhomamang go ralala masepala, ba bona ditlhabologo jaaka metsi, kgelelo-leswe, ga mmogo le dipone mo ditulong tsa bone. Ga se bofitlha gore lekoko la sepolotiki la ANC, le ikgatolositse bontsi jwa baagi ba rona, segolo bogolo jang ba ba dikobo dikhutsane.  

“Seno se ntse se diragala dingwaga dile dintsi, mme re itemogetse fa ANC e tsweletse fela go ka kgotsofatsa setlhotswana fela se se rileng sa batho. Fela lekoko la EFF le ne la tsaya tshwetso le maikano gore le tlile go ka fetola seo. Jaaka lekoko, re tlile go ka lwela ditshwanelo tsa baagi ba ba dikobo dikhutswane le go nere ditlhabologo mo matshelong a bone,” Moema wa tlhalosa.

Moema are, jaanong ba itumeletse gore baagi ba kwa Extension 12 le 13 kwa motse-setoropong wa Boitumelong gaufi le Bloemhof, go akaretse le baagi ba kwa Extension 4 kwa Geluksoord, gaufi le Christiana, ba tlile go bona ditlhabologo morago ga dingwaga dile supa. 

Are ditlhabologo tse, di tlile go tlisa seriti mo baaging, ebile di tlile go netefatsa fa maemo a bone a boitekanelo a tokafala.     

Kgabagare, majoro wa masepala, Sebang Motlhabi are, tshwetso eno e tla morago ga gore masepala o e tsenye tirisong. Motlhabi are, masepala one o setse o gatetse pele mo go fediseng ditulo tse di sa tlhomamang ka diperesente di le masome a supa.  

“Re mo letsholong la go fedisa ditulo tse di sa tlhomamang. Jaanong tumalano e, e tla mme masepala o sentse o gatetse pele le go ka tsweletse porogorama eo. Re tlile go tlhoka baitsanape ba ba tla tlang go lekola lefatshe le re tlileng go aga matlo le go hudusetsa baagi kwa go lone. Baitsanape bao, ba tlile go ka tla ka mmepe le go netefatsa fa tulo eo e sireletsegile go ka dula batho.  

“Mme seo, se tlile go thusa masepala gore o itse fa tulo e batho ba ba tlabe ba hudisediwa go yone e tlabe e ntse jang. Se se setseng ke gore re itse lenane ga mmogo le palo ya batho ba ba tla hudisediwang kwa go lone. Jaanong, se se tlileng go diragala ke gore, masepala o itse gore madi a tla dirisiwang mo porogorameng eno ke bokae,” Motlhabi wa tlhalosa.  

Are masepala o tshwanetse o neelane ka ditirelo jaaka metsi, dipone ga mmogo le kgelelo-leswe go baagi bao. Motlhabi are fela seo, se tlile go tlhoka tirisano mmogo ya masepala wa sedika ga mmogo le lefapha la matlo mo porofenseng.       

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Taung community-based radio station, Vaaltar FM scooped three awards at the North West Media Awards recently. The North West Media Awards prestigious event was held in Brits near Letlhabile.

The Vaaltar FM’s Board of Directors deputy chairperson, Omphemetse Leshobo said: “It is yet another year-end of greatness for the station. We have wrapped it nicely at the 2022 North West Media Awards and we have normalised being the biggest achievers.  

“We did it in two consecutive years and as we wished every participant the best of luck, it is now befitting to congratulate them. So, congratulations to Remmogo Re Iketlile show for winning the best radio program of the year award, while Irish Motswamere won the best newsreader of the year award.”

Leshobo also congratulated Katlego Moncho after winning the best presenter of the year award. He further said, they will continue to strive to pursue the best in broadcasting and stays relevant in delivering suitable content.

The founder and organiser of the North West Media Awards, Ananias Ndlovu said the event is set to honour and recognise exceptional and innovative excellence in the media industry in the province.

“We are actually doing it out of passion. What I like about these awards is that they are organised by people from North West, recognise the people of the province, and they are supported by the people from this province.

“We cannot wait for other provinces to pave the way for us. We are tired of people from other provinces like Gauteng, who come to the province, take the money and go,” he said.

Ndlovu also lambasted the North West Provincial government for not supporting these awards. He further said, they went to many departments including the North West Provincial government, but they refuse to support them.  

“Instead of supporting the local events, our provincial government will rather spend millions of rands on events like SAFTA, SAMAs, and others. There are a lot of challenges within the industry, but we are pushing.

“So, this day is to say, we see the hardships that you’re subjected to. The media industry is slowly dying in the province and the communicators are contributing to its death. Many newspapers did not come back after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ndlovu.

Meanwhile, the media mogul, Baba Gaoganediwe shared the same sentiments. Gaoganediwe, who was one of the judges said they are happy that the North West is pioneering this.

“So, we need to stop looking down on ourselves and grow to greater heights. This is similar to what the North West province used to do, by setting positive narratives and leading the country.

“So, congratulations to the nominees including the winners. I want to take a minute and speak to the nominees. The organizers can do all they can to ensure that the awards are successful, but if you submit substandard submissions, you will contribute to the downfall of these awards,” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Temo Foundation chairperson, Tebogo Mosito said, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) pandemic remains the most widespread and pervasive human rights violation. Mosito, who organised a men’s dialogue at Palms Hotel in Mahikeng, invited various stakeholders to map a way forward in addressing this issue.

“Our aim is to ensure that we create a sense of urgency and spark a mass mobilisation in quest of responding to GBV. So, this was just an introduction to the unprecedented awareness campaigns and momentums that we are going to embark on.  

“This pandemic is ravaging our communities, especially in deep rural areas. I am once a victim of GBV, so I saw how it affect children hence this dialogue. We want to understand the root cause from men’s perspective,” she said.

Mosito said, the GBV pandemic is a historical issue and more education among both genders is essential. She said, the pandemic mostly affects children emotionally and psychologically at a later stage in their lives.

A representative from Uhuru School Shoes Organisation, Ntombi Koloti shared the same sentiments. Koloti said this is a historical pain that happened in families and people should find an amicable way to resolve it.

“We must find a way on how are we going to talk about the pains that were endured even as uncomfortable as they may be. Another issue is economic empowerment, which needs to be addressed.

“Not only girls or women should be empowered because by so doing, we still widening the drift between both genders. In most cases, a girl child is given more support, while most of the time our boy child is left vulnerable, taking to the street and indulging in drugs,” she said.

Koloti further said, men should be taught that it is fine to cry when they are in pain. She added, women should also understand that men deserve to be respected and loved, despite their economic status.

A social worker, Johannes Thetane said: “I think the pandemic starts at an early age, especially in primary school. So, we suggest that social workers should be deployed in schools.

“This will assist because if any child misbehaves, the social worker will be there for intervention. GBV is mostly experienced in rural areas and we have also realised that most perpetrators cry after abusing their victims. This might be a sign that those perpetrators may have experienced abuse in their lives at one stage.”

The vice chancellor at the Vaal University of Technology, Professor Dan Kgwadi said GBV is a very complicated issue.

“Even though I’m not an expert in social issues, my experience so far taught me that one’s upbringing might be the cause. There is also violence from a social and emotional point of view that might have duped the situation.  

“Another issue is masculinity that comes from men, but emotional abuse, we are all guilty of it. It is also important to look at the root cause of the abuse because you might actually be dealing with two victims here,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 28-YEAR-OLD man is expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court today for a formal bail application. Phodiso Serolong was arrested two weeks ago in connection with the murder. According to the North West police, Serolong allegedly assaulted Gosego Mahura (28) at 2bob tavern in Mokgareng village, near Taung on 3 December 2022 at night.

The North West police spokesperson, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The untimely death of Mahura was reported to the Taung Police on 4 December 2022. According to the information at hand, Mahura was at a tavern when he was assaulted and sustained serious injuries.

“He was taken to his parental home after the assault. Later on Sunday, the family discovered that he had passed on. A case of murder was opened and the accused was arrested.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

An urgent bail application in a murder case against four accused was postponed to 20 December 2022 by the Taung Magistrate’s Court. This comes after two children of the local businessman and alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (31) died on Tuesday afternoon after drowning.

Kabo Tshipane (5) and Kagoentle Phiri (6) were among four children who drowned while swimming in Manthe village near Taung. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, Phiri, Tshipane, Oratile Sereo (7), and Omaatla Sereo (7) were playing in the water and drowned. 

Only Katong’s co-accused persons, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31) took the stand. Bakang and Phenyo Katong could not take the stand because of the tragedy that has hit their family.

Four men were arrested for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), who was one of their loyal customers after accusing him of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house at Manthe village, near Taung.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and transported him back to Manthe village.

“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival.

“The accused were arrested and charged with Thabiso’s murder,” Tselanyane said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in armed and allegedly torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. The murder case against the accused was initially postponed to 15 February 2022, but they made an urgent bail application for 22 November 2022, which was granted.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Eight people were arrested for fraud and corruption after they allegedly conducted a number of unlawful driver’s and learner’s license transactions in exchange for money. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said suspects were arrested on 14 December 2022.

Mokgwabone further said a takedown operation was organised by the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence, and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

“The suspects consist of six males and two females aged between 35 and 49. They were apprehended at the Vryburg and Ganyesa Municipal Licensing and Testing centres, Letlhabile near Brits and Kuruman in Northern Cape following the termination of “Project Cross Road”, which commenced in October 2021.

“All suspects are expected to appear in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court today on various corruption and fraud-related charges,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and applauded the team members for their tireless efforts that led to the arrests.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A stock-theft case against a well-known lawyer has been postponed to 20 December 2022 by Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a formal bail application. Advocate Tebogo Letloleng (42) was arrested on 2 December 2022 for being in possession of the suspected stolen livestock. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said: “We are investigating a case of possession of the stolen livestock. A suspect was arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of a suspected stolen cow.

“Letloleng briefly appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 7 December 2022. He will be back in court on 15 December 2022 for a formal bail application.” 

The court postponed the matter to give Letloleng’s lawyer enough time to familiarise himself with the case.

Other pending criminal cases against Letloleng came forth during the court proceedings. It is alleged Letloleng has pending criminal cases in Gauteng Province.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) was left with ‘an egg’ on its face after yet another court case loss. This comes after the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng, dismissed the municipality’s attempt to get an interdict against striking employees over the R2500 danger allowance.   

The municipality filed for a court order seeking an interdict against striking municipal employees, who mostly belong to South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). The municipality alleged that these workers threw garbage and feaces in the municipal offices and this has negatively affected the smooth running of the organisation.

The municipal workers embarked on a strike almost a month ago, demanding the R2500 danger allowance. This comes after municipal directors and senior managers allegedly received R2500 monthly as a danger allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic, while general workers only received R1500.

The GTLM’s acting municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane addressed the workers three weeks ago and told them that the municipality won’t be able to pay them because there is no money. However, things took a different turn when the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe, who was also part of the meeting, ‘threw’ Makuapane under the bus and told employees that the municipality has enough money.

This caused mayhem as workers went berserk. They went to the streets and threw feaces and littered the Taung Central Business District (CBD) including municipal offices. 

However, things have since calmed down as these workers returned to work. The municipality will need almost R6 million to pay striking workers.

SAMWU provincial secretary, Vincent Diphoko said: “I think this is a victory for us as SAMWU because the matter was dismissed without any cost from both parties. From our background, this means each and every municipality should not take their issues to court without proper understanding or dealing with them at a local level first.

“If the court granted the municipality an interdict, then we would have known that the municipality was right to bring this matter to court. So, this means the union was correct to defend this matter on the basis that this matter does not see the light of the day.”

Diphoko further said, now it is up to the municipality to go back to the drawing board and address this matter. He added, they still going to engage the municipality to pay the employees what they are to them.

Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said: “Remember, the municipal manager does not speak as an individual, but the council resolution. If the council says there is no money and they would not be able to pay employees, that is the resolution of the council.

“However, where I am sitting as the mayor, I know that the municipality has enough money. But at the same time, it is only the council that should decide on whether to pay employees or not.”

Gaoraelwe said from an individual perspective, it is not fair what is happening to these employees, but he cannot divorce himself from the council resolution. He said the council resolution is binding, even as unfair as it is.  

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By OBAKENG MAJE

FOUR children drowned while swimming in a river at Manthe village near Taung on Tuesday afternoon. It is alleged that, Kabo Tsipane (5), Kagoentle Phiri (6), Oratile Sereo (7), and Omaatla Sereo (7) were playing in the water and drowned.  

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “We can confirm that four boys between the age of 5 and 7 drowned, while they were playing in the water. The water was too deep and they could not swim hence they drowned.

“There is no foul play suspected and an inquest case is under investigation. We advise the public to take heed and apply the safety tips. When swimming, please never swim alone and do not duck and push others into or around water.”

Myburgh further said, the public should ensure that the water depths are appropriate for swimming and diving. She added, people should never dive into muddy or unclear water and should not swim during electrical storms.

“Do not enter the water unless you are a strong swimmer and when swimming in dams, check the edge of the dam for soft mud. Move slowly to the water, if the ground retreat. Weeds may occur in all environments and should be avoided whenever possible.

“If caught in a weed or kelp, swimmers should remain calm, keep all movement to a minimum and remove the weed or kelp before swimming out. Swimmers should also be careful of currents and undertows in fast-flowing rivers,” said Myburgh.

She said extreme care should be taken when entering the rivers due to changing conditions. Myburgh said before people could enter the water, they should check the strength of the current as this will absorb the head and body from serious injury, if caught in a fast-flowing river, travel feet first.

“When you fall into the water, unable to stand and reach the side quickly, you should stay calm. You should keep your head above the water by kicking as if you are cycling and by paddling with your hands at the same time. Also, try not to swallow water and when you swim in open water, it is much harder than swimming in the still waters of a pool,” she said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

More than 30 informal traders in Mamusa Township, near Schweizer Reneke have received machinery and equipment from the Small Business Development department. The deputy minister, Small Business Development, Sdumo Dlamini said, this was part of informal traders’ upliftment.

Dlamini further said, some of the issues raised by SMMEs and cooperatives during his visit earlier this year, were difficulties in accessing tools and machinery to help sustain their businesses.

“So, in response to this impediment, we handed over working tools to informal traders in Mamusa and Greater Taung Local Municipalities. Informal traders play a crucial role in inclusive economic growth.

“Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) have been identified as productive drivers of inclusive economic growth and development in South Africa and around the world,” he said.

Dlamini further said that SMMEs and cooperatives are a critical part of the national economy with the government’s National Development Plan 2030 (NDP 2030), looking to SMMEs to be major sources of employment and drivers of growth in the economy. He added, that SMMEs are feted to be the future of business, representing forty percent (40%) of all businesses in the country.

“They are considered as important drivers for reducing unemployment, especially since the formal sector continues to shed jobs. It is our intention to decisively tackle the lack of employment and productive economic activities in society, especially among informal traders.

“The high levels of unemployment and poverty propelled us to revisit this area as we seek to improve socio-economic development in North West. The Informal and Micro Enterprises Development Programme is a 100% grant offered to informal and micro enterprises to assist them in improving their competitiveness and sustainability,” said Dlamini. 

He said the grant is offered for the purpose of procuring machine tools and equipment.

Amongst other equipment that the beneficiaries received were for carwash, salon, catering services, tuckshop, Jojo tanks, bakery ovens, refrigerators, and chairs.

The Mamusa Local Municipality, Seitebaleng Chelechele expressed her gratitude to the department for assisting the informal traders. Chelechele said, she hopes SMMEs benefit from this initiative.

None of the beneficiaries, Nykallo Gaedume (23) from Glaudina said: “I want to express my token of appreciation. Some of us have been seeking assistance since 2013 without any luck.”

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