Picture: Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services MD Oberon Matsuvuki, whose company allegedly left two incomplete road projects in Rustenburg and Brits in 2021, after pocketing R25 million, claiming cash flow problems and community disruptions. (Photo: Instagram)

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Department of Public Works and Roads has probed a R134 million tender awarded to the Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services company allegedly owned by Oberon Matsuvuki. The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi said they have received the report and ordered an independent forensic investigation to be instituted as a matter of urgency.

“I have directed the Head of Department (HOD), Moss Kgantsi to institute an internal investigation on a tender awarded to Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services valued at R134 million. The report indicates that, the department has no record of any official termination of contract, in relation to the two abandoned projects, but only a notice of termination was issued to the contractor.

“Moreover, termination processes were never concluded. Equally, there was no process to register a complaint against the contractor. It is an anomaly that, a project is abandoned, nothing is said about it, and officials continue with business as usual,” Molapisi said.

He further said he demand accountability for this negligence and waste of taxpayers’ money. In finding a permanent solution to this matter, Molapisi added that, he has directed Kgantsi to terminate the department’s contract with Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services without delay.

“We have also outlined that terms of reference to guide the independent forensic investigation should be an investigation of the appointment of Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services for contract PWR 127/14 from Khunotswana Village towards N4, to the total amount of R134 million;

“Investigation of project management on the following contract, (a) PWR 09/17B-FA23 for Patch and reseal of road D521 from road P51/1 in Segwaelane to Wonderkop. The appointed service provider was Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services, (b) PWR 09/17D FA-24: Patch and Reseal of Road P63/1 from Letlhabile to Hebron (Gauteng Border), including intersection improvement on the Mangope Highway,” said Molapisi.

He said the appointed service provider was Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services and an investigation on any other abandoned project by Ndhuna Civil Engineering Services should be executed.

“Kgantsi must appoint an independent forensic investigation in line with the terms of reference provided, and within a period of six weeks of appointment, the investigation should be concluded.

“The outcomes of the investigation will be made public and whatever remedial actions recommended by the final report will be actioned to the latter, including consequence management recommended. he said.

Molapisi has also urged members of the public to report any allegations of possible malfeasance to relevant authorities, including law enforcement agencies.

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Picture: The late ANC veterans, Meshack Monageng and Sammy Lebelo/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West said it is devastated after two veteran civic and alliance leaders, Sammy Lebelo and Meshack Monageng died in hospital on Sunday.

The SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said Monageng and Lebelo succumbed to illness, while admitted respectively at the Medi-Cross Medical Centre and Life Peglerae Hospitals in Rustenburg.

“We are deeply saddened by the demise of the two pillars that had devoted their lives to our struggle for liberation and community upliftment.

“Both of them have left indelible marks as public servants and community builders that had walked in the footsteps of our global icon, Nelson Mandela,” he said.

Sebegoe further said they convey condolences to the Lebelo and Monageng families.  He added that, although both Lebelo and Monageng had been ill for quite some time, nothing could have prepared them for this terrible twin blow.

“The death has robbed the communities across the North West of the most advanced cadres, who were not only selfless but dedicated, highly disciplined as well as loyal compatriots, who had laid a solid foundation for political, trade union, and civic activism in Tlhabane, Rustenburg Zone and the Bojanala region.

“In life, the two were inseparable and shared a strong bond of friendship that was underpinned by their Christian values. They had tirelessly worked for the unity of the revolutionary alliance. Lebelo and Monageng both cherished the vision of nation-building, non-racialism, non-sexism, reconciliation, and social cohesion that was espoused by Madiba, Oliver Tambo, and the founding fathers of our liberation struggle,” said Sebegoe.

He said a fitting farewell for the two veterans will be a decisive victory for the ANC in the Rustenburg ward 11 bi-elections to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sebegoe said Lebelo had served as the first Chairperson of the ANC Tlhabane Branch, SACCAWU Shop steward, ANC Regional Executive Committee Member, Regional Treasurer, SANCO Provincial Treasurer, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance in the previous term of council and was currently a Proportional Representation Councillor in the Rustenburg municipality.

“Monageng was former SADTU Regional Secretary in Bojanala, SANCO as well as ANC member. He was since 2010 employed as Director Basic Services in the North West Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs,” he said.

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Picture: The head-on collision accident/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The family in Madipelesa village near Taung is still reeling in shock after six of its family members died in a head-on collision accident between a white Toyota Quantum minibus taxi and a white Polo TSI on the R31 road in Danielkuil, Northern Cape on Sunday.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Molefi Shemane said the accident claimed nine lives of whom three are children.

“Eleven people were hospitalised, of which, three injured were the occupants of the white Polo TSI, while eight people were in the minibus taxi.

In a separate incident, the police in Kathu are investigating a culpable homicide case following an accident that happened on the R380 road in Kathu on 15 July 2023.  The preliminary investigations indicate that, a truck and a motor vehicle collided head-on, the sedan caught fire and the body burned beyond recognition,” Shemane said.

He further said the police and the Kathu Emergency Services were at both scenes. 

“The police are investigating the circumstances that led to these tragic accidents,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola conveyed her sincere condolences and expressed her deepest sympathy to the members of the bereaved families and the injured.

 Otola also appealed to road users to obey all rules of the road, exercise caution and show good behaviour, while on the road.

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The acting Assistant Director for Out Patient and Casualty, Tshepo Setlhabe at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The community members in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region are encouraged to be cautious of mental illness. This comes after the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg recorded a total of 235 patients, who displayed substance-induced psychosis and 312 known mental users, ultimately being categorised as mental illnesses. 

The acting Assistant Director for Out Patient and Casualty, Tshepo Setlhabe at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital said mental illness entails a condition that involves psychological and emotional well-being and affects how one perceives things.

Setlhabe further said the community members are advised to take note of the signs and symptoms related to mental illnesses such as hallucination (seeing or hearing things that do not exist), delusions, false beliefs such as witchcraft, negligence of care, poor hygiene, and dirty clothes, insomnia, lack of maintenance of sleep, violence, physical and verbal abuse.

“Another sign might be roaming around without a particular destination. It is important that, when a person displays personality symptoms related to mental illness, they should be taken to the nearest clinic. In case the patient is violent, community members are advised to call the police for assistance.

“The common condition that is prevalent in the hospital is a substance-induced psychotic disorder with 80% of patients displaying this behaviour and dominated by male patients. The most common in patients is the use of a drug substance such as crystal meth, dagga, and nyaope,” he said. 

Setlhabe added that the hospital has put in place mechanisms to ensure that health education is promoted to affected patients. He said this is achieved through a multi-disciplinary approach, which entails social workers, psychiatrists, medical officers, nurses, and occupational therapists.

“However, after stabilisation and observation, the patient is then referred to other hospitals for further intervention and treatment. I urge all community members to accord support to those that have mental health illnesses.

“No one is immune to mental illnesses and it can happen to anyone,” said Setlhabe.

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Picture: The acting Assistant Director for Out Patient and Casualty, Tshepo Setlhabe at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The community members in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region are encouraged to be cautious of mental illness. This comes after the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg recorded a total of 235 patients, who displayed substance-induced psychosis and 312 known mental users, ultimately being categorised as mental illnesses. 

The acting Assistant Director for Out Patient and Casualty, Tshepo Setlhabe at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital said mental illness entails a condition that involves psychological and emotional well-being and affects how one perceives things.

Setlhabe further said the community members are advised to take note of the signs and symptoms related to mental illnesses such as hallucination (seeing or hearing things that do not exist), delusions, false beliefs such as witchcraft, negligence of care, poor hygiene, and dirty clothes, insomnia, lack of maintenance of sleep, violence, physical and verbal abuse.

“Another sign might be roaming around without a particular destination. It is important that, when a person displays personality symptoms related to mental illness, they should be taken to the nearest clinic. In case the patient is violent, community members are advised to call the police for assistance.

“The common condition that is prevalent in the hospital is a substance-induced psychotic disorder with 80% of patients displaying this behaviour and dominated by male patients. The most common in patients is the use of a drug substance such as crystal meth, dagga, and nyaope,” he said. 

Setlhabe added that the hospital has put in place mechanisms to ensure that health education is promoted to affected patients. He said this is achieved through a multi-disciplinary approach, which entails social workers, psychiatrists, medical officers, nurses, and occupational therapists.

“However, after stabilisation and observation, the patient is then referred to other hospitals for further intervention and treatment. I urge all community members to accord support to those that have mental health illnesses.

“No one is immune to mental illnesses and it can happen to anyone,” said Setlhabe.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Six suspects were arrested for an attempted truck highjacking in Hammanskraal on Thursday. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said various police units were involved in securing this arrest, including Brits and Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Brits Trio Task Team, Mooinooi and Jericho Visible Policing and District Detectives of Bojanala Platinum District.

“The police seized a Toyota Hilux, tools that can be used to strip a truck as well as numerous cellular phones allegedly used in the commission of the crime. The suspects, aged between 41 and 28, will appear before the Temba Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023.

“Further linkages to other cases are expected and investigations will continue by Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Unit,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the teams for their dedication and diligence that lead to these arrests. Kwena emphasised that police would leave no stone unturned to ensure that hardened criminals are put behind bars.

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By OBAKENBG MAJE

The third suspect linked to the theft of 51 rhino horns at the North West Parks Board offices on 26 June 2023, has been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit. The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the suspect (46) was arrested in Rustenburg on 14 July 2023.

Mathebula further said the information led them to Rustenburg, where a suspect was arrested for the alleged theft of rhino horns. He added that this brings the number of arrests made thus far to three.

“The suspect is due to appear in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023, where he will be facing a business burglary charge. Meanwhile, Lindani Mthombeni (32) and Elias Mangande (40), the accused in the alleged theft of rhino horns, made a brief appearance in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on 13 July 2023.

“The pair will be back in court on 21 July 2023 for bail application,” said Mathebula.

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Picture: A hijacking case opened in Rustenburg/Google  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The alleged hijacker has been arrested and is set to appear at Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Abraham Alexander Mkhabela (31) is linked to three hijacking cases and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Sun City, Phokeng, and Mogwase and Mogwase.

These cases were reported between June 2016 to June 2023.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said in the last hijacking case reported at night on 3 June 2023 in Sun City along the R565 road, a motorist (33) was allegedly driving in a silver Mercedes Benz.

“He stopped to pour petrol at a filling station in Ledig. He just pulled out of the filling station when he was allegedly approached by three armed men, who were also driving a Mercedes Benz. They allegedly pointed him with a firearm and instructed him to get out of his vehicle.

“Furthermore, he was allegedly robbed of his vehicle and personal belongings. The victim was allegedly left unharmed next to the road. Mkhabela was arrested by the Rustenburg Public Order Policing (POP), Visible Policing, and Crime Intelligence police on 9 July 2023, while asleep at his flat,” she said.

Myburgh further said the police also seized a police reflective jacket. She added that Mkhabela’s first court appearance was on 10 July 2023, where he was remanded in custody.

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Picture: The explosives allegedly found in possession of two occupants/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects aged between 39 and 47 were arrested by the police consisting of Brits and Hartbeespoortdam Crime Prevention Units, Hartbeespoortdam K9, Brits Crime Intelligence, and Lethlabile Visible Policing at the corner of the R566 and New Road, in Brits for unlawfully being in possession of explosives.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police allegedly cornered a white Toyota Conquest with two occupants after receiving a tip-off.

Myburgh further said the vehicle was searched and police allegedly found two electrical shock-tube initiators, two lengths of blasting cables, one battery, and one full blasting cartridge with an estimated street value of R25 000.

She added that, as a result, the duo was immediately arrested for unlawfully being in Possession of Explosives, thus contravening Section 128 of the Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No. 26 of 1956).

“The incident occurred on Friday and the suspects will appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their speedy reaction and bravery. Kwena also thanked the community for being the eyes and ears of the police and said that their positive response averted crime.

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