By OBAKENG MAJE

The furious taxi drivers in Taung barricaded the entrance of the Taung Traffic Department on Wednesday. This comes after more than 20 minibus taxis were impounded allegedly by traffic officers for ferrying learners.

The South African Taxi National Council (SANTACO) chairperson in North West, Ebusang Tladi said the action of traffic officers will cause mayhem.  

“I was woken up by taxi drivers alleging that the traffic officers from Taung Traffic Department have impounded their taxis, simply because they were ferrying learners. According to the drivers, the traffic officers demanded scholar transport permits from them.

“So, when I arrived here, I had a consultative engagement with the traffic officer’s senior manager. I requested him to understand the situation of taxi drivers because the parents of learners who use taxis as scholar transport do not pay taxi fares on a daily basis,” he said.  

Tladi further said, the taxi drivers have subsidised these parents, which the government dismally failed to do. He added that, as taxi owners, they understand the situation of many parents due to the high rate of unemployment

“It is our responsibility to assist these parents because they are also our commuters. So, they are charged around R400 to R600 per month, now, the traffic department must multiply R500 by 15 and see for itself, if the overall amount is enough for taxi owners to cover their monthly instalments.

“With that amount, taxi owners cannot pay their monthly instalments and still survive. The cost of living is too high and it will be highly impossible for those taxis to be used as scholar transport only,” said Tladi.

He said they have also engaged with the department to allow them to have scholar transport permits as the National Transport Act of 2009 stipulates. However, Tladi said, the department refused to heed their call because it says any taxi used to ferry learners, should be branded as learner transport.

“They said that particular taxis cannot be used as a learner and public transport at the same time. Surprisingly, the permit says passengers without being specific. So, according to my understanding, a passenger can be anybody who is ferried around.

“Now, all taxis that have permits, but ferrying learners are impounded, which is wrong. The law allows taxis to have scholar transport permits, but they vehemently refuse to give them to us. According to those traffic officers, they were instructed to impound taxis ferrying learners and they said there is nothing they could do rather than follow instructions,” said Tladi.

He said, he personally called the traffic officers’ superior but denied instructing those traffic officers to target taxis ferrying learners. Tladi said the action of these traffic officers indirectly affect learners.

“Imagine, taxi drivers, ferrying learners to school and manoeuvre around because of traffic officers. We had an agreement that all taxis ferrying learners should be roadworthy and not carry overload.

“I call for tranquillity between traffic officers and taxi drivers because, if the situation continues like this, things will get out of hand. We are not going to allow traffic officers to harass and provoke our taxi drivers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Alpheus Koonyaditse said: “Taxi operators are allowed to ferry anyone as long as they are working within the confines of their permits.

“The impounded taxis will be released immediately after their owners paid stipulated fines. Remember, if there is a contravention of regulations, law enforcement is authorised to restore order.” 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

A murder case against a man who allegedly killed a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke in North West was postponed until 13 April 2023. Bongane Shebi (24) was arrested for allegedly killing a nurse, Irish Mohokare (47) in her rented backroom on 12 October 2022. 

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha condemned Mohokare’s killing and said the deceased was recently promoted to the position of Facility Manager at Charon Clinic for her untimely death.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman in North West, Henry Mamothame said the case was postponed awaiting the DNA results and also for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to authorise the transfer of the case to a higher court.

Mamothame said Shebi abandoned his bail application and he will remain in police custody until the matter is concluded. 

“Mohokare’s bloodied body was discovered by her landlord on 13 October 2022 with her throat slit open. The landlord subsequently informed the police, who immediately started investigating.

“Shebi became a person of interest after police received information while doing investigations. He was spotted wearing bloodied clothes not far from where the incident took place,” he said.

Mamothame further said, the police then started looking for the accused and ultimately arrested him on 15 October 2022. He said Shebi allegedly informed the police that he wants to confess.

“He was subsequently taken in for a confession to be obtained and later took the police, where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing. According to police reports, the accused alleges he was in the company of another person.

“However, the motive only became clear in the accused person’s confession. Shebi said he and another person intended to rob the deceased. He further alleges that he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but it was the person whom he was with,” he said.

Mamothame added that, the police have indicated that evidence was obtained at the scene, indicating that only one person was at the scene at the time of the commissioning of this offense.

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party (SACP) in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati regional secretary, Sandile Kgosieng calls on law enforcement agencies to diligently and expeditiously handle the investigations to build a water-tight case against Shebi.

“We want to see the police securing a conviction in the murder case. As an organisation that is fully committed to the plight of women and children, we are against the granting of bail to suspects involved in brutal crimes such as murder and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

A former Grade 12 learner at Leruntse Lesedi Secondary School in Makwassie, near Wolmaranstad, North West who was declared dead said he demands answers from the North West Department of Education. 

Thabo Nicholas Monyane (21) alleged that the department declared him dead after the passing of another learner who carried the same name as his. 

The confusion was created by the death of another learner, Thabo Monywabe who passed away in June 2022. Now, Monyane said he wants justice to prevail because this mess has plunged him into depression.  

“I did not even receive a letter of admission to writing including the examination number. I was asked to use my identification document as proof every time I write.

“What hurt me the most is that, I was secluded from other Grade 12 learners whenever writing my exams. This made other Grade 12 learners to mock me and hurl insults toward me by calling me an illegal foreigner,” he said.

Monyane, who was doing Mathematics Literacy, Geography, English, Setswana, Afrikaans, and History as subjects said, he wanted to further his studies at university and become a teacher one day.

“However, I am stuck now because of this mess. The matric final examination results were out on 20 January 2023, but I only received mine three weeks after that. I was not happy at all with my results because they were too bad. I do not even think those are my results because I studied so hard,” he said.  

Thabo’s mother, Martha Monyane shared the same sentiments. Martha said the whole fiasco has affected her son badly.

“He is always indoors because he does not want to face people. This situation has caused confusion in our lives and I do not even know how to handle it anymore. We understand that, the learner who passed away, was reported dead in June 2022.

“As a parent, I was made aware of this matter when we were called to sign pledge forms in September 2022. The teacher who informed me about this matter said, my child might not be able to write his final examinations due to the mixed-up of the death of another learner,” she said.

Martha said, however, the school promised to sort the mess out, but nothing has been done.  

“They have only instructed my son to re-write his final examinations. Thabo fainted at school while writing his final examinations. He was taken to the clinic but ordered back to the school to finish his paper, which I think was inhumane.

“He was also secluded from other learners while writing his final examinations. I asked the school why my child is being separated from other learners, but I did not receive a straight answer,” said Martha.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesman, Elias Malindi said investigations into the matter are underway.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The accused who was arrested for allegedly killing a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke, is set to apply for bail on Wednesday. Bongane Shebi (24) allegedly murdered Irish Mohokare (47) in her rented backroom during a suspected robbery on 12 October 2022.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, Mohokare’s bloodied body was discovered by her sister with her throat slit open on 13 October 2022.

“She subsequently informed the police, who immediately started investigating. Shebi became a person of interest after police received information while doing investigations.

“He was spotted walking on with bloodied clothes not far from where the incident took place. The police then started looking for the accused and ultimately arrested him on 15 October 2022,” Mamothame said.

He further said upon arrival at the police station, Shebi informed the police that, he wants to tell the truth.

Mamothame added that the accused was subsequently taken in for a confession to be obtained and later took the police to where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing.

“Shebi alleged that he was in the company of another person, but the motive only became clear in the accused person’s confession.

“He said they were intending to rob the deceased. However, Shebi alleged he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but the person he was with,” said Mamothame.

Mamothame said, the police have indicated that the evidence obtained at the scene, shows that only one person was at the scene at the time of the commissioning of the crime.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati regional secretary, Sandile Kgosieng said: “Mohokare was brutally murdered and the accused is expected to apply for bail today after he previously abandoned it. We urge law enforcement agencies to diligently and expeditiously handle the investigations to build a water-tight case.

“We want to see the police securing a conviction in the murder case. As an organisation that is fully committed to the plight of women and children, we are against the granting of bail to suspects involved in brutal crimes such as murder and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases.”

Kgosieng said they urge members of the community and his colleagues to accompany and support the family of Mohokare during the court appearance.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha condemned the brutal killing of Mohokare. Sambatha said, Mohokare was recently promoted to the position of Facility Manager at Charon Clinic.

“Mohokare’s murder is devastating and we called on communities to protect women. As the department, we condemn the atrocity in the strongest terms. Mohokare was murdered only two days after assuming her new role.

“It is an unfortunate and disturbing reality that women in this country are no longer safe. Our communities and homes have become a haven for criminals, who prey on women and young girls,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The family of a missing elderly woman in Cokonyane village near Taung said, they hope the human skull and bones that were found in the veld in Modimong village belong to their mother, Kgalalelo Naledi (79).

The police made a gruesome discovery of the skull and bones in a grazing field on Thursday. It was reported that, on Monday, they again discovered some clothes belonging to Naledi and bones on the same spot.

The daughter of a missing woman, Patricia Naledi said: “It is true that the police discovered the human skull and feet bones last week Thursday. So, on Monday, they discovered my mother’s clothes and some bones. The forensic personnel has taken them away to run tests.”

Kgalalelo went missing almost four months ago and no one knew her whereabouts. She allegedly left her house and did not come back. Her daughter, Patricia said, they have searched for her everywhere with no luck.

“We even brought in traditional healers including sangomas to the house in quest of locating her. However, all that was futile and we hope that those bones belong to her.

“We have been in a difficult situation and prayed for her safe return. But, it seems all that did not work out. Also, those traditional healers who came to our house gave us confusing statements,” she said.

Patricia further said, others alleged that their mother has been killed, while others alleged that she is still alive.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “I can confirm that an inquest case is under investigation by Taung Police Station. This comes after a human skull was found on 9 February 2023 in a grazing field in Modimong.

“Furthermore, human bones and clothes were also discovered on 13 February 2023 in the same field. The bones were found far apart and the spine and hand bones are missing from the corpse.”

She said, they suspect that the bones might be belonging to Naledi, who was reported missing on 10 October 2022 because of the clothes. However, Myburgh said, the DNA results are awaited to confirm the identity.

Meanwhile, Taung DailyNews’s highly-placed source said: “It is highly impossible for that skull and bones to belong to someone, who died four months ago. Even the forensic unit said, there is nothing they could do in identifying who might the skull and bones belong to.

“There was no single muscle on the skull and bones. So, there is a high possibility that those bones do not belong to the missing Naledi. What is surprising is that community members including shepherds have been grazing in that field, but did not see these bones. But, suddenly, the clothes of Naledi and these bones appear.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

The former North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo’s civil case against three Revolutionary Council leaders, Thato Magogodi, Lucky Kgabi, and Themba Gwabeni has been postponed to 4-5 September 2023 by the North West High Court in Mahikeng, North West on Tuesday (14 February 2023).

This comes after the plaintiff’s lawyer, Gofaona Seleka informed the court that, he could not familiarises himself with the supplementary evidence document on time. Seleka said, he just received the document which consists of more than 250 pages two days ago. 

Mahumapelo is suing Gwabeni, Magogodi, and Kgabi for R10 million for allegedly tarnishing his name. He accused them of calling him corrupt and allegedly orchestrated the infamous #SupraMustFall campaign against him in 2018.

Mahumapelo, who was unceremoniously ousted from his position as the Premier said, has launched the lawsuit to seek justice and clear his name. 

Judge Abigail Mfenyane postponed the matter to give time to the plaintiff’s attorney, Gofaona Seleka to familiarise himself with the supplementary evidence document. 

Mahumapelo said he is not deterred by the postponement. 

“Well, we are ready to continue with the trial and I am doing this to clear my name. As a person, you cannot go around blemishing people, then later on when they take legal steps against you, you say they are bitter. 

“So, we will wait for 4-5 September 2023. You will remember that when this matter was postponed six months ago, everyone thought it was too far. But, here we are and we also believe that date will come too,” he said.

Mahumapelo further said people should stop this thing of mudslinging others in the media without substantiating their arguments.

Meanwhile, one of the Revolutionary Council leaders, Themba Gwabeni said: “Well, the truth of the matter is, there is no character to defame. We, as members of the community and ANC, were not going to allow mismanagement and corruption to unfold and kept quiet.

“We have nothing against Mahumapelo as we are both members of the ANC. But as members of the community, we also have an obligation to stop any corruption activities taking place in this country. The Zondo Commission cleared us and confirmed what we said.”

He said, they have formed the Revolutionary Council with one objective, which is to unite and stand for what they believe is right. Gwabeni said this matter will be fully ventilated in court during trial, so he would not comment further. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said, they will continue to encourage parents to sign consent forms in order for their children to be vaccinated against measles. Sambatha, who launched the measles vaccination campaign at Signal Hill Primary School in Mahikeng, North West on 14 February 2023 said, the province has registered 168 measles cases thus far since the outbreak on 10 December 2022.

“Today, we are doing a campaign on measles vaccination. We visited Lonely Park because it is the epic centre of the measles outbreak in the province.

“You will remember that the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) had issued a national call on 2 December 2022 that, there is an outbreak of measles in North West, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo provinces,” he said.

Sambatha further said, on 10 December 2022, they launched the campaign in Lichtenburg and had three cases of measles reported in Lonely Park at the time. He added that, out of 168 confirmed measles cases across the province, 148 are from Ngaka Modiri Molema District and predominately in Mahikeng.

“In terms of the number of vaccination from 10 December 2022 till today, we have managed to vaccinate 686 000 children between 5 months and 15 years respectively. So, in two months, we have vaccinated 600 000 children.

“We want to ensure that, all those who are between 5 months and 15 years are vaccinated. This also shows the capacity of the department to respond. So, the outbreak is still under control as we are not getting more than 10 reported cases per day,” said Sambatha.

However, Sabatha said, one of the serious challenges, is an issue of beliefs by families. He said, there are families that do not believe in any vaccination even though their children are in the same category.

“Unfortunately, some of them are the first children to be detected with measles. So, this means if one does not believe in vaccination, yet move around as a member of the community, they become a danger to those they are moving with,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director-General of Institution at North West Department of Education, Dr Shadrack Mvula shared the same sentiments. Mvula said they will continue to work in partnership with their sister department of health in this campaign.

“We are very appreciative of this event. We have been working together with our sister department in creating awareness in terms of this campaign. So, the Department of Education will be working in partnership throughout the districts.

“Well, we have not observed a high volume of skepticism, however, we are aware that, there are quite a number of parents, who may not be willing to let their children vaccinated,” he said.  

Mvula said, however, they were surprised to see that because many of the parents were born at the time when vaccination happened at a very early age. He said they encourage parents to change their position.

“Even in this school, we were told about 25 parents who have not signed the consent forms. So, we hope that, these parents will change their position after getting more information and understanding of how the vaccine works. Truly, this is done in the best interest of their children,” said Mvula.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

ReplyForwar

By OBAKENG MAJE

The HIV activist and Community Development Practitioner, Dimakatso Moalusi, who runs the Greater Taung People Living with HIV and Aids organisation (GTPLHAO) said, even though the government has made significant inroads in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic, more needs to be done to curb the scourge.

Moalusi, who has been living with HIV for more than 23 years said, most men are afraid to go and test for HIV. She said, it is better for people to know their status because that will encourage them to live a healthy life.

“Mostly, men do not want to go and test for HIV. Sometimes they go and test, but refuse to take medication when they are positive. Some of them do not even reveal their status to their partners.

“Unfortunately, they end up infecting other people knowingly. So, we want to discourage that because South Africa and the world does not need new infections anymore,” Moalusi said.

She further encouraged people to work together in quest of having an HIV-free society. Moalusi added that there is a 95-95-95 strategy used as a target since 2022.

“We encourage people to know their status and take their medication when they test positive. Truly, this will boost their immune system and the virus will be suppressed. I also encourage those who go to various universities to go out there and ensure that they do great.

“They should not adopt certain lifestyles, while in tertiary. They should know their reasons to be in various institutions and fly the Taung flag high. I also urge them not to succumb to peer pressure and stop degrading themselves,” said Moalusi.

Meanwhile, the former deputy president, David Mabuza told www.sanews.gov.za said: “We must intensify our programme on prevention by employing every method possible to end this epidemic. For our part as a country, our journey and contribution to the vision of zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths, has been long and difficult.

“The pain of losing someone to AIDS-related illnesses every week in our communities was a common phenomenon. However, we are today acknowledged by UNAIDS and others as a global and continental leader in HIV response.”

Mabuza said, this is precisely because they have adopted and implemented the right and comprehensive policies to respond to this epidemic. He also expressed gratitude for the partnerships and support received, saying the contributions galvanised political leadership, civil society and the private sector into coherent action.

“In particular the United Nations family, the United States Government through its PEPFAR programme and the Global Fund. We wish to thank you for your continued support and emphasise that your support is not in vain.

“Through the South African National AIDS Council, the country has seen the impact of collaborative efforts in moving the response forward. We take pride in the fact that in South Africa, the government remains the main funder of the country’s comprehensive response by contributing close to 80% of the resources,” he said.

Mabuza said, the council counts among its victories the fact that South Africa has the biggest HIV treatment programme in the world, with more than 4.5 million people on life-saving antiretrovirals.

“Our anti-retroviral treatment programme has resulted in an increase in life expectancy of our people and low levels of mother-to-child HIV transmission rates. This means that millions of South Africans who previously had no hope of sustained quality of life, now live longer and are able to contribute to building a South Africa of our dreams,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects aged 26 and 16 were arrested in Shaleng village, near Taung for a business robbery. According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, the police in Kgomotso responded to a complaint of an alleged business robbery in Shaleng village.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the police found the owner of the shop badly assaulted and he was taken to a local clinic for medical attention. Two suspects were identified and the Station Commander immediately assembled a team comprising Visible Police and Detectives.

“They started to trace the suspects and during the search for the suspects in their residential area, a relative granted access to the premises. The search was conducted under the supervision of the relative,” van Rooyen said.

She further said the police managed to recover property on the premises that were stolen in two separate business burglary cases. Van Rooyen added that those items that were recovered, were allegedly stolen from two local schools in Shaleng.

“Amongst the property retrieved, were two overhead projectors, five Education Solution Tablets, and groceries. The suspect (26) will appear in the Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court on 13 February 2023 on charges of an alleged business burglary.

“The suspect aged 16 was released into the custody of his parents. The Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng applauded the Kgomotso Station Commander and her team for their swift response to the robbery that led to the arrest and confiscation of the stolen items,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects aged 28 are expected to appear before the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly bombing two ATMs. The two suspects are facing charges of alleged damage to essential infrastructure, and possession of explosives, ammunition, and firearm. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the suspects were at Madibogo village, outside Mahikeng on 8 February 2023.

“This comes after the police of Setlagole and Madibogo Police Stations, as well as Mahikeng Crime Intelligence, followed up on information regarding wanted suspects in Automated Teller Machines (ATM) bombing case.

“The suspects allegedly bombed two ATMs on 6 February 2023 in a complex and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Subsequent to the incident, the police spotted a suspicious vehicle at Madibogo village leading to a car chase,” Funani said.

She further said, the suspects’ vehicle ultimately stopped and two men were arrested. Funani added that further investigations led the police to a house in Dikgatlhong village, where explosives, a firearm, ammunition, and other items were recovered. 

“With the arrival of Mahikeng Tactical Response Team (TRT) members, the hunt for more suspects led the team to an RDP house in Madibogo, where ink-stained notes were recovered. Investigations into the matter, including tracing and arresting other suspects continue,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the units involved in making sure that the suspects were arrested and pointed out that, criminals will not be allowed to walk free.

taungdailynews@gmail.com