By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 35-YEAR-OLD man who was arrested for allegedly smashing the windows of the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on 9 January 2022 changed his mind. Sibongile Dube was charged with malicious damage to property and told the court that he will represent himself with intentions of pleading guilty.

However, in a turn of events, Dube who appeared in court recently, is now seeking the assistance of Legal Aid and told the court that he will no longer plead guilty to the charges.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The Vryburg Magistrate’s Court postponed Dube’s case to 25 January 2022 for Legal Aid representation.

“Dube told the court that he will no longer plead guilty to his alleged offense and he further requested a Legal Aid attorney. In his last appearance in court on 17 January 2022, he opted to represent himself then told the court that he intends to plead guilty for his offense.”

Mamothame said Dube alleged that his actions were driven by anger following a three months jail sentence he served for failing to appear in court on a separate offense in June 2020. He further said Dube also attributed his anger to a two year sentence he received in 2009 on an assault case.

“He alleged that he had a valid reason for not attending court, but was nonetheless sentenced. A security officer on duty on 9 January 2022 heard windows being smashed and upon investigation, saw the suspect running away from the scene.

“The security officer gave chase and caught Dube. The police were called and he was arrested. Dube was officially charged and will remain in custody until his next court appearance,” said Mamothame.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha lauded nurses and doctors at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg for successfully delivering quadruplets recently. Sambatha said during the wee hours of January 15, 2022, three boys and one girl were born.

“The mother of the quadruplets is from the Sewedi family in Monoto-Mosweu near Vryburg. Quadruplets are a set of four offspring born at one birth. An individual that is part of such a set is called a quadruplet and sometimes referred to as a quad.

“I want to congratulate both nurses and doctors who delivered the babies as well as the mother. The family is blessed with bundles of joy. Well done to our doctors and nurses for a successful operation that delivered the babies,” he said.

Sambatha further said most importantly, he wanted to congratulate the mother who gave birth to these quadruplets.

“We know that Ms Lettie Sewedi had been booked to attend the Antenatal care at Coleridge clinic and was later referred to JMM Hospital where a successful operation was undertaken by our well-experienced medical team.

“According to the experts, quadruplets are formed when a single fertilized egg splits into four different embryos (these are known as monozygotic quadruplets) and they are genetically identical quadruplets. Four eggs are then released and are each fertilized by a different sperm,” said Samabatha.

He added that all the quads came out weighing reasonably as anticipated by the team. Sambatha said of the four new-borns, three are boys (Quad 1, 2 and 4) and one is a girl

(Quad 3).

“Currently all the boys are being fed whilst the girl is receiving close monitoring on ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This is after the doctors discovered that she has apnoeic attacks and was given blood transfusion.

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hospital, Portia Tlou applauded the nurses and doctors too. Tlou emphasised the long standing assignment of the department of impeccably delivering health services to all, at all times.

“Ours is only to serve our patients with distinctive love,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sewedi (39) who is a mother of nine children was ecstatic to have received the generous and professional service from JMMH. She further indicated that she cannot wait to go home and enjoy life with her new bundles of joy.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Many residents across the North West province were affected by torrential rains recently. Now, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape has assembled a committee to deal with disaster inflicted by torrential rains.g

Residents in Kraaipan, Mareetsane and Madibogo villages near Mahikeng including Christiana and Bloemhof in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region were severely affected. Two bridges in Kraaipan were washed away, while one bridge was destroyed in Mareetsane and the other one was damaged due to rainfalls.

North West MEC for Cooperative, Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Lenah Miga visited the residents staying along the Bloemhof Dam on Wednesday.

Residents were forced to be evacuated from their business premises and private homes due to recent floods.

“We visited the area to assess the situation at the Bloemhof Dam after the residents had been warned early this week to evacuate the area in the wake of heavy rains.  The dam is now filled to capacity and the sluice gates have been opened to release the water pressure which has now reached 2000 cubic meter per second.

“The disaster management team in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality is on high alert for any eventuality, and is working with sector departments in the district to assist where necessary,” she said.

Miga said the committee assembled by Maape comprises of MECs of Public Works and Roads, Education, Social Development, Health, Community Transport and Safety Management and Finance, including Mayors from Bojanala Platinum, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipalities.

The Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi, told Newsnote that the municipality was working overtime to ensure everyone who is affected gets help.

Motlhabi said because the majority of farms around this municipality were sitting on the Vaal Dam, the Water and Sanitation department decided to open the sluice of up to 150% water average.

“As a result of that, those who are living next to the dam have been affected because their houses have been flooded. But as the municipality we have arranged transport to evacuate them so that they can get alternative accommodation.

“We are going to put systems in place to make sure that we assist our people,” Motlhabi said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said: “The department will continue to monitor all registered dam levels during this rainy season. As dam levels continue to rise, the department sternly warns the public to stay  off the rivers and dams, even near the banks as most incidents occur during the wet and slippery season.

“As of 14 January 2022, the North West Provincial weekly levels have slightly decreased from 75.0% to 74.6%. Last year at this point, the provincial water storage recorded 64.5% water storage. Those that have improved are Buffelspoort from 100.7% to 100.8%; Lindsleypoort Dam from 38.6 % to 39.2% and Taung Dam from 98.6% to 99.2%,” Ratau said.

He added that Hartbeespoort has slightly decreased from 96.5% to 96.2%. Ratau said other dams remain unchanged and urged communities to continue to apply water conservation even amidst this rainy season.

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By THEEBEETSILE KEAMEDITSE

North West Premier, Bushy Maape said his government has re-committed itself to work with traditional leaders to address challenges of socio-economic concern confronting the province.

As part of solidifying and strengthening relations with traditional councils across the province, Maape who was accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) paid homage to the Barolong Boora Tshidi Royal Family on Wednesday.

The visit was preceded by laying the wreath at the burial site of struggle veteran and the first recording secretary of the African National Congress (ANC), George Dick Montshioa, where the government committed to give the site a facelift by erecting a statue in his memory.

Maape said the government has also committed to prioritise the socio-economic development of the provincial capital through provision of services and creation of jobs. He further said this will include upgrading the drainage system as well as resurfacing the roads in Mahikeng and surrounding areas.

“These are the on-going efforts by the government in cementing relations with traditional leaders by expediting the delivery of services and creating jobs. Our priorities are centred on infrastructure development, service delivery as well as promoting and preserving the history of Barolong with the sole purpose of re-igniting tourism in the provincial capital.

“This will go a long way in creating jobs for our people. Moreover, this will attract investment and our people will be able to participate actively in the economy” he said.  

Maape added that further engagements between the government and Barolong Boora Tshidi will continue to ensure the implementation of commitments made.

Kgosi Jeff Montshioa of Barolong Boora Tshidi believes the commitments by the government are a step in the right direction.

“Mahikeng is the ancestral land of the Barolong people. They played an important role in the liberation and democratisation of this country. We are grateful that the government is now recognising this important role by honouring our forebears.

“We are also elated that they are forging a relationship in finding solutions to many challenges affecting our communities,” said Montshioa.

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(Edited by: Obakeng Maje)

By OBAKENG MAJE

Farmers across the North West province said the decision to suspend the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) vouchers will affect them in the long run. In a statement released today (13 January 2022), the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) confirmed that it has suspended all the Presidential Employment Stimulus(PES) implementation with immediate effect until further notice.   

According to the department, they have received endless complaints after the initiative was marred with mismanagement. It is alleged that farmers who redeemed their vouchers were ‘illegally’ charged 25-27% by retailers.

One of the beneficiaries, Kelebogile Mokgatle (33) from Rustenburg said inflated prices by suppliers have severely affected them.

“The supplier’s mark up on prices varied depending on how they charged us. We had to pay over 25% and this affected me as an emerging farmer. We produced Grey Brahman and large white pigs crossbreed with Duroc breed.

“I am passionate about farming, but this kind of delinquency is going to demoralise us. Farmers contribute to the growth of the economy and food security. So, we call on the department to address this transgression,” he said.

Another subsistence farmer, Violet Moitlobo from Rustenburg also shared the same sentiments. Moitlobo said she started to embark on farming in 2019 and things weren’t looking good.

“I specialise in layer chicken and have a 14 hectare farm. I think there was confusion between the department and retailers. I did my own research and I realised that we were not supposed to be charged a commission. Somebody must take responsibility and explain what had really transpired,” she said.

One of the suppliers who are also a producer of animal feed, Tshepiso Jantjie said: “I heard some farmers complaining about that and alleged that some suppliers charged them 27% excluding VAT when redeeming their vouchers.

“It is unfair to do so because this has eventually affected both commercial and subsistence farmers. I personally saw farmers as far as Ganyesa and Morokweng villages near Vryburg flocking to my store because they were charged exorbitant amounts elsewhere,” Jantjie said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo said: “The department is reviewing, re-engineering and re-designing PES implementation to address all challenges experienced. It is unfortunate that we have received endless complaints from the PES beneficiaries and the South African community at large, regarding various challenges on the PES implementation.

“These implementation challenges cannot be left unattended, hence the decision by the department to temporarily halt the current implementation. Beneficiaries are further urged to check their cell phones’ messages as sent by the department from time to time.”

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By STAFF REPORTER

A Tong family in Modimong village near Taung was happy to be reunited with their daughter, Olerato (11) after she went missing for almost two week. Olerato left home on Christmas Day after being lured by her alleged Zimbabwean boyfriend (42) on Facebook.

According to Olerato’s father, Patrick Tong (55), his daughter met the suspect on Facebook and they allegedly engaged in a romantic relationship.

“We have not seen Olerato since Christmas Day and her phone was off. We thought maybe she slept at her cousins’ place, but we were gobsmacked when no one knew her whereabouts.

“Her cousins said she said she was going to town and meet with someone. On 26 December 2021, we went to Taung Police Station and opened a missing person case. Unfortunately, the police requested us to go back and get the missing person’s photo,” Tong said.

He said they went back to the police station the following day, but he was crestfallen when he arrived home and saw that the police did not open a case, but made him write an affidavit instead.

“I went back again to the same police station and I was not happy with the service I received. Atleast police started to act after I called the North West Police Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng for assistance.

“At that moment, I was confused and I want to laud the community of Modimong for their swift response as they embarked on a searching spree tirelessly. Fortunately, on 3 January 2022, atleast Olerato’s phone was on and I managed to communicate with her. But, our conversation was short-lived as her phone went off again,” said Tong.

He said on 4 January 2022, his neighbour’ child fortunately saw Olerato in Johannesburg Taxi Rank next to Park Station in a company of two males. Tong said that woman asked Olerato what she is doing in Gauteng and she allegedly said the men that she was in company with were her uncles.

“Those men gave her the contact numbers and we managed to speak to them. The police traced that cellphone and Olerato was found at a certain house in Olifantsfontein in Gauteng staying with her alleged boyfriend.

“I was happy to see her alive on the 9^th of January 2022. I want to warn other parents to make sure that they monitor their children’s cell phones because it seems there is a syndicate operating in Taung targeting young girls,” he said.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the suspect was arrested and the case was transferred from Olifantsfontein Police Station to Ivory Park.

“The victim was found staying with her alleged boyfriend whom she met and started dating via Facebook. She was taken for medical treatment and reunited with her family. The suspect was arrested and charged with statutory rape,” she said.

Meanwhile, a social media specialist, Sthembiso Sithole even tough social media continues to be ubiquitous part of everyday life, there are challenges that come with it as some people continue to be scammed, raped, kidnapped while other are being turned into prostitution or killed.

“One can use social media either for job opportunities or to connect. However, we have seen over the past years how some people have taken advantage of the platform and prey on others.

“So, it is imperative for the social media users to be cautious and verify the accounts of the individuals they engaged with. There has been a surge of people being kidnapped and killed after being lured through social media platforms,” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A serial rapist, Johannes Nokeri was sentenced to 191 years imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Temba for 18 counts of rape, 23 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition on 14 January 2022.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Nokeri embarked on a series of rapes, robberies and theft in the areas around Hammanskraal and Temba in the North West Province between 2012 and 2017. 

Mamothame said the accused mostly targeted unsuspecting women who would be travelling from taverns at night in the early hours of the morning and rob off their money, cellphone and clothing items before raping some of them.

“One of the victims was five months pregnant when she was repeatedly raped by Nokeri. He was eventually arrested five years later in possession of a stolen vehicle. The owner of the vehicle reported it as stolen to the police and the tracking company a day before Nokeri’s arrest.

“He was also found in possession of six live rounds of ammunition. During court proceedings, it emerged that in some of his offences, he was accompanied by an individual unknown to the state,” he said.

Mamothame further said Nokeri was previously afforded three Legal Aid attorneys and one private attorney sourced by Legal Aid, but he fired them and opted to represent himself throughout the trial.

“In committing these crimes, it was established that he applied the same modus operandi by threatening his victims with violence if they failed to abide by his orders. In some of the rape charges, the state relied on DNA results that linked him to the commissioning of these offences.

“Two of the victims testified in court and alluded to Nokeri’s aggressive behaviour when he raped and robbed them. Nokeri has two previous convictions on two charges of rape and robbery. He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment to which he has now served three years,” said Mamothame.

In aggravation of sentence, State prosecutor advocate Mashudu Muliwa urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and to further consider the victim impact statements, which depicts the suffering and the eroded dignity of the victims in the hands of Nokeri.

Muliwa also raised concerns about Nokeri’s remorseless behaviour.

North West High Court Judge, Shane Kgoele shared the same sentiments. Kgoele described Nokeri as an individual who has no respect for women and further alluded to the responsibility that the court has in protecting communities against the likes of Nokeri.

“I refer to the conviction as a way of sending a strong message to perpetrators of such crimes,” she said.

Meanwhile, the accused applied for leave to appeal the conviction and sentencing and the court granted him a hearing. However, he later withdrew it and indicated that he will submit a written application after receiving court transcripts.

The acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo also welcomed the conviction and lauded Muliwa and Sergeant Moloantoa Rapakgadi for a collaborative effort that resulted in a successful conviction.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO  

Lack of access to menstrual products continues to affect female learners from going to school especially in rural areas.  Now, the Buxton Youth Foundation (BYF) in Taung has taken a stand to donate sanitary pads to the underprivileged.

Buxton Youth Foundation co-ordinator, Lesedi Leeuw (32) said they visited three schools around the area to donate sanitary pads, toiletries and soccer kits.

“As the youth of Buxton, we saw it befitting to donate sanitary pads and toiletries to the less fortunate. This initiative was established by one of our own, the late Siphiwe Letselela and unfortunately he passed away back in 2020.

“He had already created a WhatsApp group which mostly consists of 25 young people. So, we decided to continue with his legacy and bring this to light.  We donated 28 bar soaps, 22 toothpaste, 26 roll-ons, 116 sanitary pads and a chess board at Gabobidiwe High School,” he said.

Leeuw further said they also donated 40 sanitary pads, 23 soaps, 20 roll-ons, 19 toothpastes and a chessboard at Pelotshweu Middle School, while Lekwene Primary School received 30 sanitary pads, 19 bar soaps, 20 toothpastes, 15 roll-ons, and 10 pairs of shoes,” he said. 

According to Leeuw, in total, 186 sanitary pads, 70 bars of soaps, 61 packs of toothpaste, 61 roll-ons and two chessboards were donated.  

He added that the foundation also donated a soccer kit and two balls to local soccer teams. Leeuw said they also have an annual soccer tournament on 26 December as awareness to address socio-economic challenges affecting the youth in their area.

“I would like to urge businesspersons to come on board and assist us with donations such as water, tents and sound for this soccer tournament. I also want to call on other young people in various areas around Taung to form the same initiative.

“We need to spread the spirit of Ubuntu and create a healthy society. Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow, so they need to be nurtured properly.  One of our objectives is to make sanitary pads accessible to all girls and women and deal away with the long-standing source of inequality and stigma,” said Leeuw.

He said some girls do not have access to sanitary pads and resort to using materials like rags, newspapers, or bark to manage their periods.

According to www.globalcitizen.org, In 2014, former South African President, Jacob Zuma established the position of minister of women in the presidency, a post meant to work toward gender equality in all areas of society.

Meanwhile, a Johannesburg-based community activist, Nokuzola Ndwandwe told the website that she is trying to make this goal a reality by pressuring the government to follow through on its commitments, mobilizing grassroots campaigns to empower women, and enlisting the help of other organizations dedicated to gender equality.

“My grassroots organization, Team Free Sanitary Pad, is campaigning to make sanitary pads available to all women in all contexts throughout South Africa. One of our major objectives is to make sure sanitary pads are as accessible as condoms.

“Pads are very expensive due to socio-economic imbalances like the pay gap. Even if women are working, they often can’t afford pads on a month-to-month basis, which affects their dignity, mental health, and hygiene.”

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Many schools in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region continue to be in dire situations. This was discovered during a visit at Morokweng Primary School and Setswakgosing Secondary School by the North West MEC for the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari during his Back to School campaign on Wednesday.

Morokweng Primary School principal, Errol Dithakgwe said the school has ablution facilities, but even though they are functional, they are far from being aseptic. Dithakgwe further said the 17 year-old main building of the school is dilapidated.  

“We have managed to refurbish some blocks, but the main building remains dilapidated. Against the protestation of the parents, we also chose to close this block as it was deemed unsafe. The parents were anxious that the closure could compromise teaching and learning even though cracks are visible on the walls.

“We now use the building only as a storeroom. The school yard is big and has a garden, which produces some vegetables used as part of the school feeding programme. In one corner is a high tower signal distributor mast that supplies wireless networks to the area,” he said.

Dithakgwe said the owners of the tower pay the school royalties for being in the school yard.

“This has helped us to refurbish a principal office and pay stipend to volunteers who clean the school, but there is more that needs to be done,” he said.

Another principal from Setswakgosing Secondary School, Olaotse Moreke shared the same sentiments. Moreke said even though his school has flushable toilets and buildings are more modern, they too have challenges.

“We have over one 1000 learners and a quarter of them are doing matric. We use a platoon system to ensure all learners come to school daily. Some learners start at 12:00pm and others in the morning.

“Even though the school has cameras, eight months ago, criminals broke in and stole laptops. Criminals forcefully opened all three strong rooms and stole a server as well,” he said.

However, Moreke added that even though the footage was stolen, criminals allegedly forgot a pair of glasses, which might assist police with investigations. He said the school has fewer tablets now and cannot cover all the learners.

“To circumvent this challenge, we have given 217 learners SIM cards to use on their smartphones or personal tablets to access electronic books,” said Moreke.

Meanwhile, Lehari said: “We want to assure you that the solutions to your challenges will be expedited. The purpose of these oversight visits is to monitor and oversee challenges that you are facing, so that we can speed-up solutions.

“Despite all these challenges, I see that teaching and learning is underway on the first day. It is laudable and we admire how both schools strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols. There are boards outside near the gate ordering everyone who enters to wear a mask.”  

He further said all learners and their educators had their masks on and there was a compliance officer with a register in hand taking records details, scanning and sanitising everyone who enters the school.

The five inland provinces include the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West received learners from Grade R to Grade 12 on Wednesday, while schools in the other four coastal provinces such as Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Western Cape will open only next week.

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By STAFF REPORTER

A family of slain North West University ‘s Digital Marketer at Mafikeng campus and a socialite, Sam Junior Mbatha (24) said they will finally find closure. This comes after the DNA results released on Monday positively linked to Mbatha’s identity.

Mbatha’s body that was burnt beyond recognition was found in a burnt-out Hyundai i20 vehicle at a soccer field in Ikageng Section, Klipgat at around 7am on 17 June 2021.  

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “The DNA results came as part of the police investigation, wherein an unidentified male body was found inside a burnt vehicle. Initial investigations led the police to a house in Phutha Section, Klipgat on 21 June 2021.

“The house was searched and in one of the bedrooms, the team found blood stains on the floor, under and on top of a bed as well as on the carpet. Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime, was found on top of the roof of the house.” 

Myburgh said after this gruesome discovery, investigations led to the tracing and arrest of four suspects, Arthur Khoza (19), Thato Masetla (22), Junior Modise (21) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21). She said all four accused will appear at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on 18 January 2022 facing a murder charge.  

Meanwhile, Mbatha family spokesperson, Kgomotso Sepeng said they welcomed the unwavering support they received throughout the ordeal. Sepeng also applauded the police for the swift arrest of the suspects.

“We would like to appreciate every person who showed us support and circulated posts in regards to Sam, friends, colleagues, organisations including the media houses that took interest in sharing our story.

“We also want to laud the police and forensic experts who helped us during our time of pain. We have finally received the DNA results and they are positively matching Sam’s identity,” she said.

Sepeng added that they communicate details of the memorial services and funeral arrangements in due course.

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