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.”
Mmueledi wa semolao, Tebogo Letloleng (42) o solofetse go shadikanya matlho kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya selegae ya Taung le go dira kopo ya semolao ya beile mo letsatsing la gompieno.
Go begwa fa Letloleng a ne a tshwarwa ke sepodisi morago ga go fitlhelwa ka kgomo e le nngwe e go belaelwang ele ya bogodu. Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Colonel, Amanda Funani o boleletse ba dikgang tsa Taung DailyNews fa dipatlisiso di tsweletse kgatlhanong le Letloleng.
“Molatofadiwa o tshwerwe ka di 2 Sedimonthole 2022 morago ga go fitlhelwa ka leruo le go belaelwang ele la bogodu. O tlhageletse lekgetlho la ntlha fa pele ga magistrata wa Taung ka Mosupulogo. Go ya ka dipego, go fitlhetswe kgomo ele nngwe e go belaelwang ele ya bogodu go molatofadiwa,” Funani wa tlhalosa.
Letloleng yo o ko ntlo-lefitshwana, go begwa gape a golaganngwa le dikgetsi dingwe tsa bosenyi kwa porofenseng ya Gauteng.
Kgabagare, barua-kgomo mo motseng wa Taung, ba kaile fa bogodu jwa leruo bo tlisa tlhaka-tlhakano mo matshelong a bone, gonne ba itshidisa ka lone. Barua-kgomo bano, ba akgotse sepodisi morago ga go tshwarwa ga Letloleng.
Mongwe wa Barua-kgomo kwa motseng wa Modimong, Brigadier Mothupi wa tlhalosa.
“Rele Barua-kgomo mo motseng wa Taung, re itumeletse go tshwara ga monna wa mmueledi wa semolao mabapi le bogodu jwa leruo. Kgang e, e re isa ko goreng leruo la rona le ntse le ya kae. Kgetsi e buseditswe morago, gonne go sentse go dirwa dipatlisiso. Fela, re tshepa fa dipatlisiso di ka senola sengwe gape.
“Fela, re tlile go nna pelotelele, mme re na le tshepo ya gore molao o tla diragadiwa. Go na le dikgetsi dile dintsi tsa bogodu jwa leruo tse re nang le tshepo ya gore monna o, a ka latofadiwa ka tsone,” Mothupi wa tlhalosa.
O mongwe wa Barua-kgomo, Gaobusetse Kanyane le ene o ntshitse maikutlo a gagwe jana.
“Bogodu jwa leruo ga jwa siama, gonne bo re dirisa dilo tse re sa tshwanelwang le ke go di dira. Ke boatla jo bo tshwanetsweng ke gore bo emisiwe. Tota go ka nna monate, ha mongwe le mongwe a ka tshele ka se eleng sa gagwe. Go fitlha ga jaana, maikutlo a barua-kgomo a ko godimo morago ga go tshwarwa ga monna o,” Kanyane wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The EFF leader, Julius Malema addressing the residents of Boikhutso Township, near Lichtenburg/Twitter
By REGINALD KANYANE
Most residents at Bodibe village near Lichtenburg in North West, told the EFF leader, Julius Malema that, there is a lack of basic service delivery in their area. They said even though they are not sure, which political party they will vote for on 14 December 2022 during by-elections, change is inevitable.
Malema visited the area on Sunday (11 December 2022) in an attempt to garner more votes for his party ahead of by-elections. The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality has been dissolved two months ago after it was marred with infights, mismanagement of funds, and poor service delivery.
One of the residents, Masabatha Mothibi said, they are many challenges in their area such as unemployment, lack of electricity, and provision of clean and drinkable water including inaccessible roads, especially during the rainy season.
“It is not fair for politicians to come here only when they want our votes. I have been volunteering for 19 years as a Community Health Worker (CHW) at a local clinic, but they do not hire us,” she said.
Malema said he had a consultative engagement with a local chief, Kgosi Edward Matlaba, who told him about the challenges the community is faced with. He alleged that, ANC leaders have been stealing from the Ditsobotla and working together with mines.
“All the mines operating here in the area, have signed a Social Development Programme (SDP) to outline their plans in developing the area they mining in. They committed in developing the area by building schools, constructing roads, and ensuring that there is a provision of clean and drinkable water, but they are not doing that.
“They have not done that because ANC leaders like president Cyril Ramaphosa have shares in those mines. So, as EFF, we want to commit that, if we get into power, we will ensure that those mines adhere to their agreement,” he said.
According to Malema, they will also ensure that Bodibe village becomes one of the smart cities because it has natural resources. Malema said the only challenge across the African continent is corruption.
“If we can combat corruption, no person will be unemployed. The problem is, the money that is allocated for service delivery is being pocketed by these corrupt politicians.
“We have seen clinics being closed at 4pm, but liquor stores being opened. We want healthcare centres that are open 24 hours. This has affected and dehumanised pregnant women because most of them give birth at the back of the bakkies while being rushed to the hospital just because the clinics are closed,” said Malema.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson in North West, Dr Tumelo Thiba said: “The IEC is ready for the by-elections in Ditsobotla. The special voting will be on 13 December 2022, while the actual by-elections Day will be on 14 December 2022.
“There are 15 political parties and two independent candidates, who have been registered. We have also seen much interest in special votes because we have received 8453 applications that have been approved.”
As 2022 draws to a close, we can reflect on a tumultuous year. Like for many people around the world, this has been a tough year for many South Africans.
In the first half of the year, we experienced devastating floods in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and North West. The Russia-Ukraine conflict sent shockwaves through global energy and food markets, leading to supply chain disruptions and rising prices that continue to be keenly felt, including in South Africa. The energy crisis has caused misery for South African households and businesses.
The events of the last few years continue to cast a long shadow, with the global COVID-19 pandemic severely damaging an already struggling economy and public unrest causing loss of human life and livelihoods.
With this difficult year coming to an end and several challenges still not resolved, we need to keep closely focused on what needs to be done to make next year better.
But we have good reason to believe things are getting better. Our great country will rise above adversity, as it has done so many times in the past.
Two years ago, when we confronted the fear and uncertainty of COVID-19, I said that if we act decisively and together, the pandemic will pass. It has indeed passed, as will the current misfortunes we are experiencing. We are more than capable of bringing about the recovery our country needs.
The recovery of our economy and society is underway.
Despite the electricity challenges, the economy is recording growth. In the third quarter of this year real GDP grew by 1.6%, and the size of the economy now exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Major industries and sources of job creation such as agriculture, transportation, construction and finance recorded increased economic output. Exports increased by 4.2% percent.
Jobs are being created again. While we haven’t recovered all the jobs lost to the pandemic around 1.5 million new jobs were created in the last year.
A few months ago, the Presidential Employment Stimulus, reached one million participants. More than 3 million youth are registered on the innovative SAYouth.mobi platform that connects them with prospective employers. We are revitalising the National Youth Service to create work opportunities for 50,000 young people.
For more than a decade, South Africa has been confronted with a shortage of electricity, with load shedding now a daily reality. Over the last year we have taken urgent steps to remedy this dire situation by significantly and rapidly increasing the construction of new generating capacity.
We have accelerated the procurement of renewable energy and have removed many of the regulatory hurdles to greater private investment in embedded generation. There is now a significant pipeline of embedded generation projects that are preparing for construction. We are working closely with Eskom to improve the performance of their fleet of power stations.
We are undertaking far-reaching reforms to improve the capacity and competitiveness of railways and ports, to open up our telecommunications industry and to improve the supply and pricing of water.
This year has seen several corruption-related cases enrolled in our courts and some convictions have been secured. Multi-disciplinary units that bring together a range of law enforcement agencies are identifying more implicated individuals and entities and preparing cases against them.
After close to four years, the State Capture Commission has concluded its work and presented its final reports to the President. I have submitted the government’s detailed implementation plan of the commission’s recommendations to Parliament.
These are by no means the only difficulties we face. Crime, gender-based violence, poverty and hunger continue to cause great misery.
And yet we should not make light of the change that is taking place in our country. We are seeing the pride of young people who would otherwise be unemployed being restored as they work as education assistants, conservationists and small-scale farmers.
We are seeing commuters getting onto new trains to ferry them to work on lines that were closed for years. We are seeing new factories being built and existing ones being expanded by investors who see this country as a favourable place to do business.
The road to recovery and to building a better South Africa will be a long one. But we will get there if we act decisively and we act together.
We will overcome our current challenges as surely as we did the pandemic that threatened to lay waste to our nation.
Misfortune has tested us over the past year, but these hard times have brought to the fore once more the traits for which we are known as South Africans.
We are a people of optimism, even as we brace against harsh winds. We are a people who love our country and wish for its success. We are a nation that perseveres, and never gives up.
Three men were arrested for being in possession of a suspected illegal firearm and conspiracy to commit a crime. Tebogo Bojang (43), Masabata Lesolle (34), and Katlego Mantjane (29) brief appearances before the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said, the police in Vryburg received a tip-off about three men travelling in a blue Toyota Avanza, driving from Madibogo village towards Vryburg.
“The K9 Unit, Public Order Police and Vryburg Detectives were mobilised and the vehicle was found parked in front of a Pub in Vryburg. Three occupants as well as the vehicle were searched and police found hand gloves, a balaclava, and a 9mm pistol hidden in the vehicle.
“All three suspects were immediately arrested. The trio was remanded in custody until their next appearance on Monday for a formal bail application. Investigation into the matter continues,” Tselanyane said.
Most people will be going on holiday to unwind and spend time with their families and friends. However, the North West police urge them to be cautious and safe at all times. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh encourages those who will be travelling or leaving their homes unattended to apply safety measures.
“We have shared some tips on how to be safe at home, on the road and while having fun. This year’s Safer Festive Season Operations commenced on 11 November 2022 and will continue until 31 January 2023. In order to be vigilant, the public is urged to keep their homes safe in their absence or ask their neighbours to take out the post.
“Post left in the mailbox says that nobody is home. Make sure they have good lighting and do not leave the outside lights on during the day. Those who will be travelling, should not let too many people know when are they going on holiday, but to only those whom they trust,” Myburgh said.
She further said, they should ensure that their doors are locked properly and have burglar bars. Myburgh added, if your house is broken into, notify the police immediately.
“If you are going on a road trip, kindly buckle up and should not drink and drive. While on the road, keep a safe following distance and they should not use up their energy on activities, which will increase fatigue. We also advise them to get enough sleep the night before, at least six hours.
“Please plan your trip, the route you will travel and where you will stop and rest overnight. You should also make sure that your vehicle is roadworthy. Motorists should make sure that they have a spare wheel and it is in good condition with the necessary tools to change a tyre,” she said.
Myburgh said, people should make sure their luggage is in the boot and it closes properly. She said it is advisable to stop every two hours and take 15-minute breaks.
“If the driver feels tired or restless, they shall pull over at a safe stop and rest for a little. If they are travelling at night, they should be on the lookout for suspicious-looking people or vehicles.
“Know where you are going and do not use unfamiliar routes to get home. Lock your doors and close your windows. If you are bumped from behind, head to the nearest police station or place of safety. Also, never leave keys in your ignition to open gates,” said Myburgh.
She said it is advisable not to wait for passenger/s, but the driver may rather drive around the block or get out of the car and lock the doors. Myurgh said motorists should not pick up hitch-hikers or get out to assist someone, who seems to be in trouble, but rather inform the police.
“Those who will be shopping should avoid carrying large amounts of money. They also should not leave valuable belongings in the trolley. It is also important not to have your wallet or purse visible. Kindly keep it in a front pocket, instead of the back pocket.
“Do not let money be too visible, especially large amounts. For those who will be shopping with their children, we advise that, they hold the children’s hands and be alert of them at all times. It is best to always accompany them to the bathroom,” she said.
Myburgh added: “If you are part of a stokvel society or group, do not withdraw all the money in order to distribute it. Rather pay it into the different bank accounts of the participants through an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).”
Picture: The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Sdumo Dlamini along delagates
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 60 informal traders received equipment from the Small Business Development on Thursday. The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Sdumo Dlamini said these Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) and Cooperatives, received these trade of tools as support measures geared towards the upliftment and empowerment of their businesses.
Dlamini further said, his visit to Taung was part of a provincial roadshow in Taung earlier in the year.
“This is my second visit to the area after I was here in June 2022. Amongst some of the issues raised by SMMEs and Cooperatives were difficulties in accessing tools and machinery to help sustain businesses mainly owned by informal traders.
“In response to this impediment, we handed over working tools to traders in Mamusa and Greater Taung Local Municipalities. It is our intention to decisively tackle the lack of employment and productive economic activities in society, especially amongst informal traders,” he said.
Dlamini added that, the treble challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty propelled them to revisit the area as they seek to improve socio-economic development in the province. He said business people play a crucial role in economic growth.
“I want to acknowledge the SEFA and Seda entities, in particular in their work. This is the district that has produced giant leaders like mme Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, who is also Seaparankwe. Taung needs to be recognized for its cultural aspects.
“This is where the Taung Skull was discovered and that has assisted the world to have a better understanding of humanity. The discovery also confirmed that, Africans have long settled in this area. Taung is a large rural area and its economy lies heavily on community developments, agriculture and tourism,” said Dlamini.
He said they will also come up with other avenues to ensure that they expand the economy of Taung. Dlamini also said this equipment will ensure that the informal traders execute their work properly.
The chairperson of Local Economic Development (LED) at Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Thandi Sebe shared the same sentiments.
“We highly appreciate you for honouring our invitation on short notice. It was in June 2022, when our SMMEs and Cooperatives raised their grievances during your visit.
“You are now here to give them support because you want to see informal traders grow their businesses and take part in economic growth. This will not only assist in growing the economy of Taung, but it will also ensure that SMMEs and Cooperatives grow,” Sebe said.
The Member of Parliament at the National Assembly (NA), Bridget Tlhomelang said: “Today, you are our most important people as beneficiaries. Let me take this opportunity to send a token of appreciation to Dlamini for being a man of his word. You are committed to assisting the people, especially in deep rural areas.
“There is a skill and capacity in Taung, so let’s continue to capacitate them. Our role is to play oversight of the executive and we are happy to see Dlamini coming back to Taung. Let’s ensure that this initiative does not benefit the same people over and over again.”
Tlhomelang also urged beneficiaries to use their equipment sparingly. She said they will embark on unannounced visits to various businesses of beneficiaries to monitor them.
“The aim is to ensure that you are self-efficient and ensure that you use this equipment accordingly. You are capable of creating more job opportunities and that will assist our government in fighting the high rate of unemployment.
“We will visit these businesses unannounced to ensure that, this is not a fruitless exercise. When I look at the list of beneficiaries, 70% are women, so let’s continue to work hard and ensure that there is growth,” said Tlhomelang.
One of the beneficiaries, Fuziwe Sokupha welcomed the donation. Sokupha, who is a nail technician said, this will assist her business to grow and reach a bigger market.
Three men who were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and killing a Bangladesh national businessman, Pierre Ahmed Mujunder,40, are expected back in court for a formal bail application. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said, it will oppose the bail.
It is alleged that on 22 November 2022, Aobakwe Ntsomane (32), Modisa Ralokwakweng, (31), and Kabelo Badimo (32) kidnapped Mujunder, who owned a supermarket in Hartswater and drove off with him to Magogoe village, near Mahikeng.
According to police, the deceased was kidnapped, while opening the gate at his home. The accused allegedly demanded ransom money of R1 million from his family. Mujunder was allegedly rescued by the police two days after he was kidnapped.
The deceased was allegedly found tied into a chair at the house, where one of the accused stays. The police allegedly untied him and he collapsed. Mujunder was certified dead at the scene.
Ntsomane, Ralekwakweng, and Badimo were arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder after the police traced the vehicle that they were driving. The vehicle was also found in Magogoe village.
The NPA spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The accused made their first court appearance at Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 28 November 2022. The case was postponed to 9 December 2022 for formal bail application, which the state intends to oppose.
“The investigations are still underway to uncover the real facts in this case.”
The disgruntled ANC members in North West, who took the ruling party to the court said, they might take their case to the Constitutional Court to seek remedial action. This comes after the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng dismissed their case.
The disgruntled ANC members wanted the court to declare the ANC provincial elective conference that was held in August 2022 in Rustenburg non and void.
They alleged that, they were denied access to the voting precinct at Rustenburg Civic Centre during the elective conference, even though they were voting delegates.
One of the applicants, Gabriel Nkgweng alleged that the North West High Court, Judge Andre Petersen undermined the fundamental issues they raised in this case.
“The Judge has not stated the reasons why this order was presented in this manner. We are going to wait for those reasoning orders. As soon as they are available to us, we will be able to study each and every reason until we inform you about our next course of action.
“But I can assure you that, we will not leave this matter unattended because we strongly believe that the fundamental issues we raised in this particular matter are valid,” Nkgweng said.
He further alleged that, the elective conference and its processes were stolen and undermined, hence they wanted the court to render it non and void.
The North West High Court Judge, Andre Petersen dismissed the case without providing reasons but said he will make them available in due course.
“The court issues its order and reasons for the order shall follow in due course. I have carefully considered the order having heard counsel for the 1st and 3rd to 5th applicants and counsel for the 6th and 7th applicants.
“I also have carefully considered the papers filed on record to the counsel for the 1st to 5th respondents, counsel for the 6th to 9th respondents, and amici curiae,” he said.
Petersen further said, in respect of the application by the amici curiae, application B is hereby dismissed with no orders to costs. He added, in respect of the application by the 1st and 3rd to 5th applicants and the 6th and 7th applicants, the application is hereby dismissed with costs.
Petersen said this will include the costs of two counsels, who were employed.
Meanwhile, the ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi said: “We welcome the judgment. We knew from the onset that we have a strong case. Unfortunately, the applicants did not have a case.
“Their case was scattered all over the show. However, I do not want us to focus on this thing because it was just destruction. We have serious responsibility as the ANC.”
Moloyi said amongst others, they want to bring unity within the structures of the ANC. He said, also, they need to focus on service delivery in all our municipalities across the province.
“We will definitely take disciplinary actions against those who violated the ANC constitution, despite their positions,” he said.
Setshwantsho: Baagi ba tlile go ema nokeng ba lelapa la ga Serei nokeng kgatlhanong le ba latofadiwa kwa kgotlha-tshekelo
Ka BAKANG MOKOTO
Katlholo mo kgetsing ya polao ya mmakgwebo o o itsegaleng mo Taung, Kgomotso Serei, e buseditswe morago go fitlha 24 Moranang 2023. Kgetsi eno, ene e reeditswe kwa kgotlhatshekelo-kgolo ya Bokone Bophirima kwa Mahikeng kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa ba le bararo eleng, Tumo Phatudi, Zwelinzima Mohapi ga mmogo le morwa wa moswi yo eseng wa madi, Lebogang Serei.
Mo letsatsing la gompieno, lekgotlha le ntshitse molatofadiwa, Zwelinzima Mohapi mo kgetsing eno, gonne go sena bopaki jo bo lekaneng go ka mo golaganya le polao ya ga Kgomotso.
Go begwa ka ngwaga wa 2017, Lebogang Serei one a thapa balatofadiwa-nae go ka bolaya Kgomotso yo one a na le kgwebo ya mmoshara kwa toropong ya Taung. Go ya ka dipaltisiso tsa sepodisi, lekwalo le lene le kwadilwe ke moswi rragwe Lebogang, le leneng le atlholang gore dithoto tsa gagwe di ka neelwa mang (will), ele lone bakileng tlhatlharuwane ebile le tlhotlheleditseng Lebogang go ka rulaganya polao ya ga moswi mmagwe yo eseng wa madi.
Go kaiwa fa moswi rragwe Lebogang, a ne a kaya fa bontsi jwa dithoto ditshwanetswe ke go neelwa Kgomotso, mme seo go begwa fa sene sa utlwisa Lebogang botlhoko. Kgomotso one a lobelwa dintshi ka go thuntsiwa kwa dikagong tsa kgwebo ya gagwe. Go begwa fa Phatudi ele ene one a thuntsa moswi.
Lebogang o boleletse le kgotlha fa a ne a sa itse sepe ka thulaganyo eo ya polao, ebile ene one a seo mo motseng wa Taung ka motlha wa tiragalo e. Fela, dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di ne tsa mo golaganya le polao ka mafaratlhatlha a mogala wa letheka.
The Guardian 