Picture: The Buddies, The Bad poster    

By OBAKENG MAJE

Only a few hours left before The Buddies, The Bad crew ascend to the stage to showcase their God-given talents at Mmabana Taung. The fictional play was written by a local writer and enthusiast of art, Kagiso Kai. According to Kai, the play speaks about oppression and the negative experiences community members are subjected to by the local traditional leaders.

Kai further said, there is a traditional system that prevails between traditional leaders and communities at large, especially in deep rural areas.

“In this play, one of the community members spoke about the negative experience he was subjected to by a traditional leader. However, in turn, he was fined a few cows for speaking his mind. Now, two characters depicting young people stood up against the unjust sanctioned by most traditional leaders.

“The aim was to reflect on the relationship most traditional leaders have with their community members and try to change the narrative. Through this play, we also want to empower our people by bringing hope,” he said.

Kai added that, the play brings the ‘message of hope’ and inspiration to many people by encouraging them to tell their own stories to the world without being negative about it.

“The play confronts the traditional system of tribal authorities and the oppression that is meted out to the communities, especially those who respect the culture. This is fiction and the reason why I came up with it, I’ve realized that, in most cases, writers will focus more on political stories.

“So, this is a breath of fresh air to bring something totally different to the fore. All in all, we have 24 individuals as part of the production team, including actors and extras. Due to financial constraints, some individuals had to double up their work to ensure that we deliver an exceptional project,” said Kai.

He said even though this is his first stage play as a writer, more projects are in the pipeline. Kai said they are planning to tour the region, province, and the country at large.

“We still trying to source funds so that we can put our dream into reality. We want to tell our own story in our own language to the world. This production team is doing exceptionally well. We also encourage the community members to support this initiative by buying tickets.

“We need a little bit of financial support and we hope the North West Arts, Culture Sport and Recreation will come on board. However, we should not wait for the government to give us support, but do it ourselves. As a country, we are faced with socio-economic challenges, especially in rural areas. However, we have individuals who can put compelling, meaningful, and resonant stories in quest of changing the tale.  

“So, I call on all young people out there to channel their energies correctly. The play will run for three days and the entrance will only cost R80 for adults, while children will pay R40. The play will start at 6pm on 26 and 27 and at 3pm on 28 May 2023. We call on our community members to come out in numbers and watch Taung natural talents on display,” said Kai.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Setlamo se se rebolang metsi sa Magalies Water, se kaile fa go tlile go nna le kgoreletsego ya metsi kwa Pudimoe le mafelo a mabapi mo letsatsing la di 30 Motsheganong 2023. Sebueledi sa Magalies Water, David Magae are, seno se tla tlholwa ke letsema le le boloditsweng la go phephafatsa madutelo a metsi kwa lifelong leo.  

Go ya ka Magae, madutelo a metsi kwa Pudimoe a tla phephafadiwa go simolola ka ura ya bosupa mo mosong, go fitlha ka ura ya borataro mo maitseboweng.

“Seno se tla re thusa gore metsi a neelwang baagi e nne a phepha, mme re ikuela go baagi kgotsa ba dirisi ba metsi go ka dirisa metsi ka kelo-tlhoko. Seo se tla dira gore metsi a se tswe ka bonya fa re feditse ka tiro ya rona ya go phephafatso ya madutelo ao.      

“Mafelo a a tlileng go angwa ke phephafatso eno ya madutelo ke Pudimoe, Matlhako 1 le 2, Ncweng, Myra, Mogopela A le B, Khibitswane, Khibitswane Extension, Cokonyane, Taung Central, Nhole, Ranstad, Taung Station, Itireleng, Rooiwal le Matolong,” Magae wa tlhalosa.

Mo matsatsing a le mmalwa a fetileng, baagi ba motse-setoropo wa Pudimoe, bane ba kaya fa ba tshelela mo letshogong morago ga kanamo ya bolwetsi jwa cholera. Seno, se tlile morago ga kgatiso ya video e tletsetletseng mo mafaratlhatlheng a boitapoloso, e mo go yone go bonweng metsi a tsamaya diboko.

Mongwe wa baagi, Joyce Pule one a kaya fa e le lobaka ba itemogela kgwetlho ya metsi a seng phepha. Pule are, one a gatisa video e bontshang metsi a tsamaya diboko, ebile a fetotse le mmala ale matala.

Ha a ne a buisana le Motsweding FM, Pule o tlhalositse jaana.

“Ga kena bopaki jo bo feletseng jwa gore go ka tswa go diragetse eng ka metsi. Fela, ke metsi are a fitlhelang mo dipompong tsa rona. Metsi a, a nkga sebodu, a na le mmala o mo tala, ebile a tsamaya diboko. Selo se, se simolotse ka kgwedi ya Tlhakole, mme re ile ra ipolelela gore ke selo fela sa feta.

“Kgatiso ya video e o e bonang eo, ke metsi a matala a tswang mo ntlung yame mo pompong e ko kamoreng ya go apeela. Ene ele ka di 30 Moranang fa kene ke bulela pompo. Go kgonega gore ka nako nngwe, metsi a be a le teng go fitlha mantsiboa. Fela, fa re tsoga mo mosong go ka bo go sena metsi,” Pule wa tlhalosa.

O kaile gape ka nako e metsi a bowang ka yone, a tla ale matala. Pule are kgatiso ya video, o e gatisitse ka di 12 Motsheganong.

“Batho botlhe ba ne ba ngongorega ka seemo sa metsi ha ba bulela dipompo. Fela, seo ga se tshimologe ka di 12 Motsheganong, gonne ha e sale diboko tse ditswa go simolola ka kgwedi ya Moranang. Tota fela, ha e sale bothata jwa metsi bo tshimolola ka nako ya fa go ne go sitlhamololelwa setlamo se se rebolang metsi sa Sedibeng Water go ya kwa Magalies Water.

“Ka nako ya Sedibeng Water, ga ese ebe re tsamaye re itemogele bothata jo. Ee, metsi ane ke a tsamaye, mme ere fa a bowa, a boe ale phepha. Re ne re nagana gore gongwe selo se, se diragala ka ntlheng ya gore gongwe go phephafatswa dipepi,” Pule wa tlhalosa.

Are, se se utlwisang botlhoko ke gore, gona le baagi bangwe ba ba sa direng, mme ba tlile go dira jaanag fa ba sena madi a go reka metsi a go nwa.

Kgabagare, molekgotlha wa kgorwana eo, Onkarabile Tong o kaile le fa ba itemogela mathata a metsi a a seng phepha kwa Pudimoe, kgatiso ya video ese ya ga jaana. Tong are, kgatiso eo ya video e e tsamyang diboko, e ile ya tlhagelela mo ngwageng o o fetileng, mme bothata joo bo ne jwa rarabololwa.

“Ga gona bo nnete mo kgatisong ya video eo. Kgatiso ya video e e tletse-tletseng mo mafaratlhatlheng, ke ya ngwaga o o fitileng. Go tlile ga nna le yone kgang eo ya metsi a tsamayang diboko mo ngwageng o o fitileng, mme ke a gopola gore rene ra kopa tsereganyo go tswa kwa masepaleng wa sedika. Seo, se ile sa diragala gonne ka nako eo, re ile ra nna le di kopano le baagi morago ga boipelaetso joo.

“Jaanong, bonnete ke gore, ga se video ya ga jaana. Selebego sa metsi mo mosong ke se se siameng, jaanong ga nkitla ke ganetsana le baagi ba ba reng, metsi a nkga sebodu, gonne mongwe le mongwe o bua se se mo diragaletseng,” Tong wa tlhalosa.

Tong are, seemo sa boleng jwa metsi se tokafetse thata fa o bapantsha le di beke tse di fitileng. Are, fela fa a bua puo-phaa, seemo sa metsi go tswa kwa setlamong sa Magalies Water ga se se se jesang diwelang.

“Ke seemo se se bosula, gonne nako enngwe metsi a ke a nne le mmala. Seo, se re lemotsha fa metsi ao a sa tlhatswiwe sentle. Bontsi jwa nako, metsi a bone ga mantle, mme re ke re buisane le ba masepala wa sedika go tlisa tharabololong, gonne ele bone ba ba dirisanang le ba setlamo sa Magalies Water go re rebolela metsi jaaka rele masepala wa selegae,” Tong wa tlhalosa.

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Picture: The discolorated water coming out of taps/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

In fear of a cholera outbreak, some patients at the Taung District Hospital said they are concerned about the water that comes out of the taps. According to one of the patients who does not want to be named for fear of reprisal, the water that comes out of taps at the hospital is yellowish.

“Truly, we fear for our lives because cholera is an extremely virulent disease. The number of fatalities in Hammanskraal can attest to that. So, we urge the hospital not to take this matter lightly as cholera is an extremely virulent disease,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “On 19 May 2023, there was an observation that the colour of the water was not clear and showing a discoloration. It is true that the hospital has reverted to buying purified water.

“On Friday, the hospital started to issue water to the patients immediately and planned for the temporarily shut down of the outside water to check where the challenge can be. The environmental specialists are doing the tests on the water and in the meantime, the borehole water will be used, but also will be tested.”

Lekgethwane further said the cause of discoloration is unknown and the only people who could respond to that are, the water supplier and the municipality. He added that, there is no case of cholera being reported at the hospital.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (25) has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Atamelang Regional Court for raping and killing his aunt. In 2021, Gopolang Moilwa was drinking alcohol with his aunt and the latter’s boyfriend at a local shebeen at Kgothu Section in Setlagole village, near Mahikeng.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said, on their way home, Moilwa attempted to rape his aunt, Keshwalegile Jane Molehe. She further said an argument ensued between Gopolang and his aunt’s boyfriend.

“Molehe’s boyfriend ran away after Moilwa threatened to stab him with a knife. Consequently, Molehe was raped and strangled by the accused. Molehe’s lifeless body was discovered in the bushes the following day by a passer-by, who alerted the police.

“Following the investigation, Moilwa was arrested and charged with rape and murder. He has been behind bars ever since his arrest on 11 October 2021. Moilwa was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for rape and 15 years imprisonment for murder,” said Funani.

She added that, Moilwa was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the Setlagole Crime Investigation Services, especially the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Mbulelo Isake, and all other role players including the prosecution for securing the sentence.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court for stealing R100 000 from a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in Ganyesa. Daniel Mmoledi Marite was arrested by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in North West after he transferred the money into his personal account.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said: “The North West Social Development funded an NGO in Ganyesa back in 2018. The funding was reportedly meant to sustain the NGO’s projects, which were intended to uplift the community.

“When the department was monitoring compliance with the Service Level Agreement, it was discovered that, over R100 000 had been transferred by the accused from the NGO’s account into his personal account. Marite was the NGO’s chairperson at the time,” she said.

Rikhotso further said, the matter was investigated by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and the accused was arrested and made his first appearance before Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court. She added that, Marite made a series of court appearances until he was convicted.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho lauded the wonderful work of the investigator and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

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Picture: The new-born babies placed in boxes at Mafikeng Provincial Hospital/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Department of Health said investigations are underway after new-born babies were placed in boxes, instead of incubators. This comes after a shocking video was circulated on various social media platforms.  

North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “The department is shocked to learn of the visuals of new-born babies, placed in boxes, instead of incubators at the neo-natal section at Mafikeng Provincial Hospital in Mahikeng.

“The incident allegedly happened on Saturday and we are told that, the management was not aware of the incident. As a result, North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha has directed that the matter be speedily investigated.”

Lekgethwane further said, as a matter of urgency and intervention, Sambatha has called for additional cribs to be immediately sent to the hospital from the facility that has more. He added that the hospital CEO is following up on the procurement because the department has already started the process for additional incubators.

“The department unreservedly apologise to the public and mothers of those babies on how the situation was handled,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Lower Majeakgoro village, near Pampierstad, said they are still shocked after a man allegedly stabbed and burned four people in the house. Two people succumbed to their injuries, while the other two are receiving medical attention.

According to a family member, Thandi Oliphant, her cousin who stays with the victims was on his way home, when he saw the smoke coming out of the house.

“He allegedly ran towards the house and found the doors locked. According to him, he forced entry by breaking the door with a spade. He found four of our family members burning on the bed.

“The attacker also stabbed them with the knife and we realised that after rushing them to the local clinic for medical attention. Even though we do not know what might be the cause of the attack, the suspect is a neighbour who is known to the victims,” she said.  

Ward 19 councillor, Michael Makwati said: “The atrocity left us dejected and we condemn it. We also urge the police to ensure that, the victims get justice. The Greater Taung Local Municipality officials visited the bereaved family.”

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said the atrocity took place on 23 May 2023 at around 1:30pm. Kock further said the man allegedly entered the house and stabbed four persons with a knife, while robbing them of a cell phone.

“He then locked the female victims up in a room and set the place alight. An elder woman (71) and a girl (3) died on the scene, while two victims aged 28 and 62 respectively, were transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

“The suspect (25) is allegedly a known neighbour to the victims and was arrested hours later. He will appear in the Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.

Kock said the police are investigating a double murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property and robbery case. Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola is saddened by the tragic and heinous incident and reiterated that GBVF remains a priority to the SAPS and cases of this nature will be dealt with harshly.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (23) has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for raping a girl (16). The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, on 30 July 2016 at around 4am, the sister of the victim (23) was at a local establishment next to her house when she heard her sister (16) screaming.

“The complainant entered the house through an open window and found the accused raping her sister. The complainant tried to remove the suspect from her sister and was severely assaulted by the accused.

“The accused ran away and was later arrested and sentenced on 23 May 2023. The accused has been on trial for raping a 16-year-old female victim and assaulting the victim’s sister at their home in Bothitong village, near Kuruman,” Kock said.

He said the Mothibistad Regional Court sentenced the man to 15 years imprisonment and a further 3 years for assaulting a victim’s sister.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police’s Head for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, Brigadier Sipho Kheswa lauded the Kuruman FCS commander, Captain Caren Nel, and the investigating officer Sergeant Lebogang Serati for his meticulous investigation that led to the outstanding conviction.

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Picture: Seven accused persons appear in court/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The arson case against seven accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung has been postponed to 22 June 2023 for a pre-trial conference. The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Ali Sakiele (50), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32) were arrested and charged for arson.

The seven accused were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation.

In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family. They accused the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (32) of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”

Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder and the case is still pending.

The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Longaneng village near Taung, where Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched him. They allegedly transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.

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Picture: The ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa visits North West/Google  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Mahikeng on Saturday. Ramaphosa will be part of the ruling party’s National Working Committee (NWC) delegation that will be visiting North West province from 27-29 May 2023.

The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the NWC visit forms part of the ANC’s renewal programme and is aimed at reconnecting with its constituencies, organisational structures, and communities.

“The ANC NWC weekend-long programme will mainly involve engagements with the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), Regional Executive Committees (RECs), Branch Executive Committees (BECs), the Leagues and the Tripartite Alliance partners

“According to our draft itinerary, Ramaphosa will lead the activity at Mahikeng Civic Centre in Mahikeng from 9:30am until 4pm, deputy president, Paul Mashatile will be in Matlosana Banquet Hall, Dr Kenneth Kaunda region, where he is expected to meet with ANC structures, Troikas (Metros, District and Local Municipality), Top 5 Leagues and Alliance,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.

She further said, the ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe and ANC 1^st deputy secretary, Nomvula Moknyane will be in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region. Bhengu-Motsiri said the activity will take place at Naledi Banquet Hall in Vryburg.

“The ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula and 2^nd deputy secretary-general, Maropene Ramokgopa will visit Rustenburg in Bojanala region. The engagement will take place at Rustenburg Civic Centre. On Sunday, the ANC National Working Committee will meet with the ANC Provincial Executive Committee in Rustenburg,” she said.

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