Picture: A vehicle that was found with suspected stolen goats on N18 road between Vryburg and Pudimoe/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A former policeman is expected to appear in Vryburg Magistrate’s Court for stock theft on Monday. This comes after the suspect was arrested along N18 road between Pudimoe and Vryburg on Saturday.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said, the police saw a suspicious-looking bakkie travelling towards Pudimoe and stopped it.
Botma said, the vehicle was searched and atleast 21 goats were found at the back of the bakkie. The suspect, who is former police, was stationed at Taung Police Station and working for the stock-theft unit.
He was fired for fraud and corruption after he allegedly made a false affidavit for a murder convict. The convict alleged that his cellphone was lost and went to the Taung Police Station to make an affidavit.
However, police investigations revealed that, the former police allegedly connived with the convict and made a false affidavit. Now, he has a pending case of fraud and corruption.
“The driver failed to give satisfactory answers for possession of livestock and did not have Section 6 or 8 (transportation documents for such stock). The estimated value of the livestock is R42 000.
“The driver was immediately arrested for stock-theft and taken to Vryburg Police Station. Upon arrival, he allegedly tried to run away and assaulted two police officers, while trying to detain him,” she said.
Botma said the suspect was arrested for stock theft and the livestock was handed over back to the lawful owner after being traced.
Setshwantsho: Majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba motse wa Taung ba solofetswe go ka bolotsa mogwanto wa boipelaetso go ralala Taung gompieno. Seno, se tla morago ga gore baagi ba ikuele gore majoro ga mmogo le mmusa-kgotlha wa masepala wa Taung o mogolwane, Tumisang Gaoraelwe le Grace Moipolai ba itokolole mo tirong.
Moeteledipele wa baagi, Modisaotsile Lebitse are, go na le dintlha di le dintsi tse ba sa dikgotsofaleleng. Lebitse are nngwe ya dintlha tseo, ke go thapiwa ka bokukuntshwane ga bana bangwe mo ithutela-tirong (learnership) kwa masepaleng.
“Ke moagi o tletseng wa mo Taung, jaanong re lora go bona Taung e tlhabologa, mme re tshwane le mafelo a magwe a ko ntle.
“Ka go tlhoka lesego, rona mo Taung ga rena baeteledipele. Baagi ba pipitletswe, ebile ba mina ka nko ele nosi ka ntlheng ya batho ba le ba bedi fela bao ba phutlhamisang Taung,” Lebitse wa tlhalosa.
A re morago ga dikgwedi di le supa, Gaoraelwe le Moipolai, ba bontshitse gore le bone ba tlile go tshwana le baeteledipele ba ba fitileng. Lebitse are malobanyana fa, go nnile le ithutela-tirong (learnership) ya pharakano e eneng e tshwanetse go unngwela bana ba Taung, mme e unngwetse fela batho bangwe ba ba rileng.
“Bana ba ba tshotsweng, gotlhelele ga ba maleba. Gaoraelwe o kaile fa ithutela-tiro (learnership) e tseile bana ba le 11, fela fa re tla go lebelela mo mafaratlhatlha, e tshotse bana ba le 30.
“Mme o buile puo ya gore ga go reye gore bana bao ba tlile go dira fa ba boa. Ke nkgata ke tlhaname, gonne gape one a kaya fa bana bao ba tlile go fitlha ba thapiwa,” Lebitsa wa tlhalosa.
Lebitse gape o kaile fa ba sa itumelele mokgwa o Taung Cultural Calabash e tsamisiwa ka teng. Are go matshwenyego a le mantsi a ba nang le one.
Mongwe wa baagi, Thato Mampane, o latofaditse Gaoraelwe ka go thapa lekgarebe la gagwe mo ithutela-tirong (learnership) ya pharakano e e tsositseng dipuo-puo.
“Nna jaaka moagi, kena le bopaki jwa gore sejanaga sa modiro wa BMW se se neng se dirisiwa ke majoro wa maloba, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane se sale gone.
“Gape, lekgarebe la ga Gaoraelwe ke mongwe wa ba unngwelwa mo ithutela-tirong (learnership) eo. Rena le bopaki jwa gore o tlile a nna le di kamano tsa marato le ene,” Mompane wa tlhalosa.
Gape o kopile gore masepala go neele baagi tokomane ya MPAC e tlhalosang gore matlole a dirisiwa jang.
Fela Gaoraelwe, o ganetse ditatofatso tseo. O kaile fa kgang ya dijanaga tse di rekilweng ke masepala, e sa tlhole ena le mooko gonne e builwe kgapetsa-kgapetsa.
“Melao e tsamaisang dimasepala go ralala naga, ya re kaela gore fa sejanaga se setse e fetile nako e rileng, ga se sa tlhole se babalesegile go ka kgweediwa ke majoro.
“Seo ga se direge fela mo masepaleng wa Taung, mme se diragala mo dimasepala tsotlhe go ralala Afrika Borwa. Fa Mampane are nna ke thapile lekgarebe lame, ga gona se ke tla se buang gonne nna ga kena lekgarebe moo,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.
Gaoraelwe o kaile fa a se mo seemong sa go ka tlhalosa gore lekgarebe la gagwe ke mang, gonne a setse a tshwaragane le kgang ya go kgaogana (divorce) le mosadi wa gagwe.
“Jaanong, fa motho ele mosadi wame, mme a le maleba go ka tsena mo maemo mangwe mo masepaleng, a seo se raya gore a se thapiwa? Molao ga o kganele ope go ka thapiwa, fela ga gona ope o ke ratanang le ene mo bathung ba ba thapilweng mo ithutela-tirong (learnership) ya pharakano.
“Mongwe le mongwe yo eleng moagi, o kgona go bona MPAC report. Jaanong, Mampane a ka ya ko masepaleng go ka ikopela tokomane eo. Jaaka masepala, re na le setlankana sa kgotlhatshekelo kgatlhanong le Lebitse,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.
Mme o kaile fa ka 2019, Lebitse a kganetswe ke kgotlhatshekelo go ka dira dikopano le go tsena ka dikago tsa masepala. Gaoraelwe are se ba tla se dirang fela, ke go letsetsa sepodisi, mme Lebitse a tshwarwe.
A 27-YEAR-OLD man was arrested for house robbery and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Thabo Calvin Mabe was remanded in custody after he appeared at Schweizer Rekene Magistrate’s Court on charges of house robbery and robbery with aggravating circumstances on 18 August 2022.
North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “Mabe was initially arrested and appeared in court in 2019, for separate charges of house robbery and robbery aggravating.
“He allegedly threatened a victim with a knife in a house in Ipelegeng Location, near Schweizer Reneke, then robbed him of his cellphones. In the second incident, he robbed the victim of some household items.”
Botma said subsequent to several court appearances, Mabe was granted bail. She said, however, that the accused failed to appear in court on 24 August 2021 and a warrant of arrest was issued against him.
“The Anti-Gang Unit followed up on information and Mabe was traced to his uncle’s place in Boitekong outside Rustenburg. He was arrested on 17 August 2022.
“Mabe was remanded in custody until his next court date on 30 September 2022,” said Botma.
The gloves are off as aggrieved ANC members intend to interdict the ANC elective conference in North West. The party’s 9th Provincial Conference was marred with challenges and was held at Rustenburg Civic Centre last weekend.
The former North West MEC for Human Settlements, Nono Maloyi, who was pitted against his fierce rival, North West Premier, Bushy Maape, won the race and was elected as the new provincial chairperson.
Now, in the urgent court application to the North West High Court in Mafikeng that was seen by Taung DailyNews, Lebogang Medupe, who is believed to be Maape’s staunch supporter, and the other four, intend to interdict the conference.
The conference was adjourned last week before additional members could be elected due to time constraints and it will resume on 27- 28 August 2022. In the applicants’ founding affidavits, they want the conference to be declared unlawful, invalid and of no force and effect.
“Be pleased to take notice that, the applicants intend to make an application to the above Honorable Court on Thursday, 25 August 2022 at 10am or so soon thereafter as counsel may be heard for an order in the following terms.
“We call on the court to declare the conference that took place on the 12-14 August 2022 and subsequently postponed to 26 August 2022 that, it was held in violation of the ANC constitution as well as the court order of the 12 August 2022 under case UM 152/2022,” the court papers said.
He said the provincial conference, its decisions, resolutions, and outcomes were unlawful and should be set aside.
Medupe further said the ANC’s decision on 13 August 2022 to usurp the powers and functions of the ANC’s 9th Provincial Conference after the court had declared on 12 August 2022 under case number (UM 152/2022) that the term of the IPC of the North West had lapsed is in violation of the ANC constitution and is unlawful and set aside.
However, the ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe said during a media briefing held at ANC provincial offices in Mahikeng on Friday that, the ruling party will defend itself in court.
“The constitution of the ANC, which is the supreme law of the organisation does not make provision for the petition of conferences. So, it means that, if the National Executive Committee (NEC) applies itself to something like that, it will have first to locate where in the rules of the constitution is something like that provided for.
“The issue that we need to clarify is that those who want to interdict the conference, have contested for positions. However, if they had made it, would they have been part of those in the petition?” he asked.
Mabe further said the ANC NEC recognises the first part of the conference, so those who are elected, are the ones who will run the next installment. He added that the ANC will defend itself because they have a duty to protect its internal processes.
“We also have a duty to educate our cadres to accept the outcomes of conferences. You see, ANC is a democratic organisation, now if you agree to become part of the voluntary enterprise called ANC, it then follows that you ought to also submit yourself to the democratic processes of that voluntary enterprise,” said Mabe.
Picture: A bakkie loaded with suspected stolen goats/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A disgraced former police officer was arrested for stock-theft on N18 road between Pudimoe and Vryburg on Saturday. According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma, the police saw a suspicious-looking bakkie travelling towards Pudimoe and stopped it.
Botma said, the vehicle was searched and atleast 21 goats were found at the back of the bakkie. The suspect, who is former police, was stationed at Taung Police Station and working for stock-theft unit.
He was fired for fraud and corruption after he allegedly made a false affidavit for a murder convict. The convict alleged that his cellphone was lost and went to the Taung Police Station to make an affidavit.
However, police investigations revealed that, the former police allegedly connived with the convict and made a false affidavit. Now, he has a pending case of fraud and corruption.
“The driver failed to give satisfactory answers for possession of livestock and did not have Section 6 or 8 (transportation documents for such stock). The estimated value of the livestock is R42 000.
“The driver was immediately arrested for stock-theft and taken to Vryburg Police Station. Upon arrival, he allegedly tried to run away and assaulted two police officers, while trying to detain him,” she said.
Botma said the suspect was arrested for stock-theft and is expected to appear at Vryburg Police Station on Monday. She added that, the livestock was handed over back to the lawful owner after being traced.
The divergences and non-compliance continue to rear their ugly head at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District in Vryburg. This comes after the Auditor-General (AG) raised various challenges facing the embattled municipality in his report.
This week, the municipality briefly appeared before North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) after allegations that it has awarded contracts to companies without following proper supply chain management procedures.
The municipality was also found to be in contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) for investing R150 million allocated for Infrastructure Regional Grant (IRG) into the now defunct VBS Mutual Bank.
The SCOPA provincial chairperson, Job Dliso said, the construction contracts were allegedly awarded to contractors that were not registered with the CIDB. He said, this was in contravention of Section 18(1) of the CIDB Act 58 and the preference point system was also not applied for some of the procurement of goods and services above R30 000 as required by section 2(1)(a) of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act.
“Also, some quotations were accepted from bidders who did not submit a declaration on whether they are employed by the state or connected to any person employed by the state, as required by Supply Chain Management regulation.
“Furthermore, the AG was unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence for infrastructure and work in progress. There was non-submission of information, including material unexplained differences between the financial statements and accounting records caused by inadequate asset management controls,” he said.
Dliso urged the municipality to submit a detailed post-audit action plan and litigation reports.
The AG acting senior manager, Johan Le Roux said, their findings showed that, there is instability in key management positions at the municipality and there is an overreliance on consultants for financial reporting and asset management.
“There is a lack of response by management and political leadership to enforce consequences management for poor performance and supply chain management transgressions.
“The municipality also incorrectly calculated the depreciation expense using incorrect useful lives, which resulted in infrastructure and buildings included in property, plant, and equipment being overstated by R20 776 782,” Le Roux said.
He said, however, that the depreciation and amortisation expenses have been understated by the same amount. Le Roux said Section 125 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) requires the disclosure of unauthorised expenditure incurred, but the municipality incorrectly calculated unauthorised expenditure incurred, which resulted in the unauthorised expenditure to the financial statements being overstated by R103 619 83.
Meanwhile, the acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Morena Mofokeng said: “The information relating to the CIDB and preferential points is available. The challenge was that, we were unable to provide the information to the AGSA within the stipulated time due to internal delays.
“However, the municipality has endeavoured to make a folder with the necessary information relating to CIDB and preferential procurement points and include them in the audit file so that they are readily available to the AGSA.”
Mofokeng further said the information relating to the preferential points is also available. He added that, the challenge was that, they were unable to provide the information to the AGSA within the stipulated time due to internal delays.
“The district has endeavoured to make a folder with the necessary information relating to preferential procurement points and include them in the audit file so that they are readily available to the AGSA.
The North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs acting Head of Department, Mamorena Lehoko said they have raised few apprehensions with the municipality over water issues.
Lehoko said it is disturbing that there is no Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place between the municipality and Sedibeng Water. According to the report, the municipality owes Sedibeng Water R635 million, which is a historical debt.
Picture: Bophelong/Mahikeng Provincial Hospital in Mahikeng sign
By OBAKENG MAJE
Patients were allegedly left vulnerable and unattended at Bophelong/Mahikeng Provincial Hospital after nurses and doctors embarked on a two-day strike. This comes after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the hospital, Nonzaliseko Mendela, suspended two employees (Deputy Director: Nursing Services and her Assistant Director) for misconduct.
It is alleged that Mendela charged the duo with misconduct and insubordination after they allegedly close the vaccination site without obtaining authorisation from her.
One patient from Tshidilamolomo village, outside Mahikeng, Mosimanegape Kubu said, he was left helpless with no one to assist him. Kubu further said the department was supposed to make sure that there is adequate assistance available for patients, who need medical attention during protests.
“Yesterday, I was here at the hospital and I received no assistance. Just imagine, I arrived here at 7am and left at 11:30pm because there were no nurses available.
“Today again, I arrived at 7am and I have not received any assistance yet. They say nurses and doctors are on strike, so the smooth running of the hospital will be affected. What will happen to admitted patients, who need extra care from the nurses and doctors? He asked.
Another patient, Mosadiotsile Letebele from Lomanyane village said, she was referred to the hospital by the local clinic for a medical check-up, but she was surprised to see nurses and doctors on strike when she arrived.
The North West Department of Health acting spokesperson, Keletso Ratlhagane said: “The department has placed the CEO on special leave pending investigations on allegations by staff. The investigations will test the validity of the suspension she matted out against two nursing managers at the hospital.
“The staff and labour unions representing them (suspended nurses) are questioning the suspensions citing they were procedurally unfair, hence the department took a decision to appoint an investigator to look into these claims together with other allegations which, will be presented by employees to the investigator in writing.”
She said the investigations will serve as a tool to point out any irregularities or wrongdoings and the decision regarding a disciplinary hearing will only commence after the investigation processes are concluded.
Ratlhagane said the health services were restored after the provincial management acted swiftly into the matter and convened a meeting with the aggrieved parties.
Meanwhile, NEHAWU regional chairperson in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Zanele Leeuw said, even though they welcomed the department’s decision to suspend Mendela, they want thorough investigations against her.
“The CEO continues to take decisions that are not in favour of the institution on an ongoing basis. In this instance, she took a decision to suspend two employees alleging misconduct.
“The two employees allegedly closed down the vaccination site because there were no individuals or patients coming to the site. The nurses decided to re-organise staff and ensure that they are deployed to other units that need extra care,” Leeuw said.
Even though poetry is the most underrated genre across, the award-nominee, Tshepo Constance Letebele, believes that things might take a positive turn soon. An enigmatic poet (25) from Magogong village near Taung said she is ready to claim her niche in the industry and own her crown.
“I discovered my talent and passion during high school. I used to master essays, unprepared speeches, and oral presentations, then wrote my first ever poem, which I presented to one of my former teachers during a farewell ceremony.
“Since then, I became unstoppable and gave birth to numerous poems. Mostly, my poems are based on current situations because it is where I find content. We are faced with various challenges such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and I am also trying to bring awareness,” Letebele said.
The North West University (NWU) alumni and founder of Taung Yum Creamery further said, she is currently working on a project and named it Kgato. Letebele said she is featuring various artists from different genres.
“I have discovered so much talent in my village and I have already started with a dance group of young girls. The aim of this project is to eliminate socio-economic challenges facing our society, especially the youth such as teenage pregnancy, HIV, high rate of crime, alcohol and drugs abuse.
“I believe that taking the youth out of the street by keeping them busy with some activities they are passionate about, will have a positive impact. I am so grateful that I have received amazing support from my family and friends through my journey,” she said.
Letebele further said poetry belongs to the realm of emotions and imagination. She added that art plays a primordial role in shaping the individual and transmits human values.
“People assume that to become a poet, you will only need a book and a pen. However, they have not realised that the world evolves and things change. Remember, the ancient ways one uses to write poems, the lesser support you will get.
“Unlike music, poetry is not taken into consideration, but I believe that things will take a positive turn soon. Atleast, we now have a poetry category in some awards. I would like to work with poets like Lebogang Mashile and Botlhale Boikanyo in the future,” said Letebele.
As a proud member of Botaki le Bodiragatsi Taung Association (BBTA), Letebele has been nominated for the Best Poetry Category in Baruta Ngwao Music and Traditional awards that will be taking place in October 2022 in Taung. She also thanked those who continue to vote for her.
“We are celebrating Women’s month and to all women out there, please know that God trusted you so much that he could not choose anyone else, but you. So, own that title with pride because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
“As we are counting down towards the finale of Baruta Ngwao Music and Traditional awards, I’d truly appreciate your support. So, to my supporters, please let’s continue to vote by simply SMS BN19 to 35959 and you can vote as many times as you can,” she said.
You can also follow her on social media platforms like Facebook: Tshepo Consty Letebele
Picture: Two children, who were allegedly abandoned on Mosiapoa Street in Huhudi Township, Vryburg/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Police in Huhudi Township, near Vryburg needs your assistance in locating the parents or relatives of two toddlers. According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma, two toddlers, who identified themselves as Bokamoso Lephatse, 5, and
Thato Lephatse, 3, were found abandoned in the early morning of Thursday at Mosiapoa Street in Huhudi Township.
“The two toddlers were found alone and they were brought to the Huhudi Police Station. They were taken to a place of safety, whilst the search for the mother or any relatives continues.
“Anyone who can assist the police with the whereabouts of the mother or any family members can contact Huhudi Station Commander, Lt Col Mbotho on 082 492 3806 or Sergeant Leepile Monyatsi on 082 416 0933,” she said.
Picture: North West Provincial Legislature deputy speaker, Viola Motsumi
By REGINALD KANYANE
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation welcomed the delivery of 20 mobile classrooms and the resumption of teaching and learning at Morokweng Primary School in Morokweng.
The North West Provincial Legislature deputy speaker, Viola Motsumi, and acting chairperson, Papiki Babuile convened a meeting with the Department of Education, school management, and School Governing Body (SGB), where the committee sort urgent intervention on the dilapidated school infrastructure.
Motsumi said the school building was not conducive to learning and teaching. She said parents and school management had informed the committee that, the department had promised to build them a new school since 2012, but nothing was done.
“The committee is happy with the resumption of teaching and learning as well as mobile classrooms. When we visited the school during oversight, we could see that there was no school there.
“The infrastructure was dilapidated and no one could allow their child to attend school because it was not safe. During the two intervention meetings with the department, school management, and parents, we instructed the department to develop a comprehensive plan that will ensure that the new school is built,” she said.
Motsumi further said that, the department provides mobile classes as a temporary measure. She added that they also needed to know how the department will cover the lost time as learners spent over a month without attending classes.
“The committee had also urged the department to fix its infrastructure directorate as there are too many internal quarrels that affect service delivery,” said Motsumi.
Aggrieved parents, prohibited their children to attend school since June 2022, calling for the department to build a new school. They cited that the current school building is dilapidated and is a ticking bomb as learners are not safe.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Department of Education, Wendy Matsemela said: “We can confirm that there is a resumption of teaching and learning at the school. This is due to an outcry by parents who complained about the conditions of the school.
“Classes resumed on Wednesday with a recovery plan in place to cover the lost classroom time. Since the beginning of the third quarter, on 19 July 2022, learners could not return to school because parents wanted a new school.”
Matsemela further said the school has received 20 mobile classrooms to mitigate the challenging school environment. Two more will be delivered as soon as they arrive to be 22 in number. She also lauded the community for their patience during this time.
“We are thankful to the school community of Morokweng Primary School for their patience during this time. Indeed, our learners deserve better, safe, and dignified spaces for learning.
“Currently, processes are unfolding for the building of a new school. In terms of lost teaching and learning time, extra classes are being administered to meet the lost time,” she said.
Matsemela added that the school will not close during the September break as part of a recovery plan to catch up and conclude the syllabus.
The Guardian 