Setshwantsho: Rrakgwebo wa selegae, Shepherd Mathe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Rrakgwebo wa selegae mono Taung, Shepherd Mathe are o tshelela mo letshogong. Seno se tla morago ga gore go tsoge kgakgaruane magareng ga gagwe le tsala ya gagwe ya maloba, Neo Oganne o ebile eleng lepodisi kwa Kimberley kwa porofenseng ya Northern Cape.

Go ya ka Mathe, ene le Oganne, e tlile ya nna ditsala tse di ntshanang se se moinong, mme seo sene sa fetoga morago ga gore Oganne a tsene mo di kamanong tsa marato le mosadi wa gagwe, Refilwe Mathe.

Mathe o latofatsa Oganne ka go mo tshosetsa moo ebileng a mo laetseng fa a tlile go mo bolaya. Mathe are, ene ya re ka 14 Mopitlwe 2023, one a kopana le Oganne kwa Taung Mall, mme one a mo tswalela ka sejanaga sa gagwe sa sepodisi le go mo tlhapaola.

“Ka di 14 Mopitlwe 2023, kene ka letsetswa ke tsala nngwe yame go ka tla go mo thusa kwa Taung Mall, gonne sejanaga sa gagwe sene se na le mathata. E ne ya re go fitlheng gaka koo, kene ka mo kaela fa dithapo tse di dumisang koloi (jumping cables) ke di tlogetse kwa tirong, mme kene ka mo kopa gore re di latele,” Mathe wa tlhalosa.

Mathe are, ka maswabi, ene ya re fa a busetsa sejanaga sa gagwe kwa morago, one a bona Oganne o yo one a kgweetsa sejanaga sa sepodisi a eme mo morago gagwe. O kaile gape fa Oganne a ne a mo tlhapaola.  

“One a nkaela fa a tlile go mpolaya. Ga ke a mo araba, mme re ne ra mo tlogela a tsamaya. Fela morago ga go akantshana le tsala yame, re ne ra dumalana gore re mo sala morago. Maikaelelo a seo, ene ele go tsaya setshwantsho sa dinomoro tsa koloi (registration number) ya gagwe gore re itsise sepodisi.

“Re ne ra mo sala morago go fitlha kwa Extension 7, mme rene ra kgona go tsaya setshwantsho sa koloi ya gagwe. Fela, ene ya re Oganne go lemoga seo, one a re sala morago. One a ntshitse letsogo a supile mo go rona. Ka nako eo, ke ne ke kgweetsa, mme ke sa itse gore, a one a ntshitse sethunya kgotsa ene ele letsogo fela, gonne ke ne ke mo lebeletse mo seiponeng,” Mathe wa tlhalosa.

Are, ene ya re fa ba fitlha gaufi le tulo ya boroba-sogo ya Phoka Guest House, Oganne one a ba thula kwa morago, mme a tsamaya. Mathe are, ba ne ba mo kopa gore a eme gore a tle go bona ditiro tsa gagwe.

“Ka maswabi, o ile a tswelela fela ka leeto la gagwe, mme a ntse are roga ka bo mma rona. Morago ga moo, kene ka letsetsa sepodisi le go ba tlhalosetsa ka se se diragetseng.

“Sepodisi sene sa kopa gore re ye kwa dikantorong tsa bone fa koloi e kgona go tsamaya. Ene ya re go fitlha kwa ga rona, rene ra bula kgetsi,” Mathe wa tlhalosa.

Mathe are, morago ga moo, ba ne ba leba kwa Kimberley go ya go tlalea Oganne kwa tirong ga gagwe. Mathe are ga jaana, o ikutlwa a sa sireletsega gonne Oganne o tsamaya ka sethunya sa gagwe sa tiro, mme sengwe le sengwe se ka diragala.

Oganne ga ka a arabela ma gatwe a, fa Refilwe ene a kaile fa a sa batle go bona leina la gagwe mo lekwalo dikgang la Taung DailyNews.  

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone o kaile fa kgetsi ya go kgweetsa botlhatswa ga mmogo le matshosetsi e butswe kgatlhanong le Oganne mme dipatlisiso di tsweletse.

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Picture: Some of the people reported missing in North West/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Many people continue to go missing in North West and some of them are never found. According to the police statistics, a total number of 1610 persons went missing from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022.

However, only 50% of that number were found thus far. A few years ago, two girls, Rethabile Tshabadira (3) and Matseleng Nteta (7) from Boitumelong Township, near Bloemhof were reported missing after they went to a local tuck-shop to buy sweets.

A few months after they went missing, human bones were found in a shallow grave in the area, and that raised the hopes of their families. However, that was not the case as there was no link between the human bones discovered and the missing children.

Matseleng’s mother, Maria Nteta said then that, they were disappointed after the police informed them about the results.

“We were relieved when we heard that there were bones found in a shallow grave in Bloemhof. We want to bury our children if they are dead and have closure. This tortures us every day without knowing where they might be.

“However, we still urge anyone with information to come forward and ensure that our children are found either dead or alive. We lost hope a long time ago in the police because nothing positive came out of their investigations. It seems they have also hit a dead end. I missed my daughter so much,” she said.

Rethabile’s grandmother, Lenah Tshabadira also shared the same sentiments. Tshabadira accused the police of being incompetent and alleged they have failed them as a family. She blamed the police for not putting up much effort into finding their children.

A year ago, Oratile Mothibi (18) from Modutung village, near Taung went missing after allegedly being kidnapped by an unknown man in the bushes. It is alleged that, Oratile and her siblings aged 11 and 14 respectively, went to Modutung to fetch indigenous vegetables.

Whilst in the veld, an unknown man grabbed her and threatened the boys with a knife when trying to rescue their sister.

Recently, a human skull and bones were discovered in Modimong village along with clothes belonging to the missing elderly woman, Kgalalelo Naledi (79) from Cokonyane village.  

The daughter of Kgalalelo, Patricia Naledi said, they were adamant that, the human skull and bones discovered might belong to their mother, however, they are still waiting for autopsy results.

“We were hopeful when the police made a gruesome discovery in a grazing field almost a month ago. But, we are still in the dark as no one is updating us,” she said.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “A total number of 1610 persons were reported missing from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022 and 536 were never found. We do not suspect that there is any syndicate operating here in the province.

“In case of suspicion of syndicates, the DPCI investigates, while individual cases are investigated by detectives. There are awareness activities, where we regularly use various media channels to sensitise communities.”

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Picture: embattled GTLM mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe

By OBAKENG MAJE

The top ten learners who were promised R10 000 and laptops by the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe alleged that, they have not received anything from the municipality thus far.

One of the beneficiaries, Rethabile Modise said, she has not received anything and that is frustrating. According to Modise, who is now studying at the North West University (NWU) said, she is in need of a laptop and her parents cannot afford one.

“I am furthering my studies at the NWU and I am in need of a laptop. We have not received any money nor laptops from the municipality.    

“No update or whatsoever from the municipality and we do not know what is happening. I will be grateful if the municipality delivers on its promises,” she said.

Gaoraelwe and the municipality spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant dismally failed to respond to our WhatsApp messages and telephone calls regarding this matter before going to print. 

Meanwhile, during the prestigious Mayoral Excellent Awards ceremony held at PH Mooketsi Agricultural College in February 2023, Gaoraelwe said, it was important to assimilate well-deserving learners and the most improved schools across Taung.

“This is the concept from the municipality’s office of the mayor. So, we saw it necessary to reward excellence and recognise the Top 10 learners across Taung. We are even recognising the most improved schools in terms of merits.

“We are doing this necessarily because we want to encourage other schools. Over and above, we believe in education and that’s the whole purpose. This is an annual event and ever since the inception of the new administration, this is for the second time hosting this initiative,” he said.

Gaoraelwe further said the Top 10 learners will receive bursaries, laptops, and printers. He added, apart from that, there were some service providers who partnered with them and allocated R2000 to each learner.

“There are top schools that have performed well and we are awarding them certificates and trophies. I cannot really quantify how much the municipality has spent on this initiative, but what I know is that, the Top 10 learners will receive laptops, while the Top 3 learners will receive laptops and printers including R10 000 cash,” said Gaoraelwe. 

The Deputy Chief Education Specialist in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Petrus Meyer said, it is important to celebrate the hard work of these learners. Meyer said, as the district, they are now targeting a 100% pass rate.

“We believe that a 100% pass rate is possible through monitoring, support, and efficient management. Remember, in the past, we targeted 85%. However, from 2023 onwards, we are now targeting 100%.

“Mostly, all circuits performed well and there is an improvement. As the district, when the school received 60%, we rendered that as underperforming. Our standard is, schools should get 70% above,” he said.

Tlotlo Kgolobe from PH Mooketsi Agricultural School was recognised as the best performer. Kgolobe received the awards for overall top best performer in Taung, and top best performer for Life Science, Mathematics, and Agriculture Science subjects.

He was followed by a learner from Jerry Mahura High School in Dryharts village, Renaleone Olifant.

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Picture: Learners receive awards during autumn camp/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has awarded well-deserving learners certificates across the province on 2 April 2023. According to Motsumi, these learners worked hard during the end of the Grade 12 Autumn Camps.

“In the efforts of improving the matric performance, the department held intervention camps with the Grade 12 learners.

“The primary objective is to assist those schools, which have not done well since the beginning of the year. On the arrival of learners in the different camps, they were subjected to write a pre-test to assess them with their challenges in different subjects,” she said.

Motsumi further said, the teachers would treat problematic areas observed from the test. She added that the department intervened immediately at the beginning of the year to help the Class of 2023.

“As the department, we are serious about the issue of improving the results. We want to see our province improve from position five to position one at the end of the year.

“I told all principals and teachers that, this year should be business unusual. We should make the community of North West proud with our results,” said Motsumi.

She was also happy to see the best-performing learners and schools receiving certificates at the end of the camps. Motsumi said, the performance of the learners showed a great improvement in the post-test, unlike when they arrived at the camps.

“Schools should work on the gaps identified at the camps. Principals of the different schools were present during the awarding ceremony to congratulate learners on a good performance,” she said.

The Class of 2022 received 79.8% during the matric results announcement in January 2023, Motsumi said, even though the province received 79.8% and occupied position five, the class of 2022 showed resolute character, tenacity, and resilience.

She lauded the Grade 12 learners for not allowing any external force to derail them.

“It is true that darkest nights produce brightest stars. You prevailed over the stark realities stemming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown restrictions.

“We also experienced load-shedding, inclement weather, floods, and community service delivery protests that could have easily taken you off the rails of achieving your academic goals,” said Motsumi.

She said, even though there are challenges, her department is a system on the rise. Motsumi said to this end, they have invested in the learners.

However, the Democratic Alliance’s Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West, Winston Rabotapi who is also DA’s provincial spokesperson on Education said, almost 30 000 learners dropped out of school before reaching matric.

“Even though the North West Department of Education recorded 79.8%, the pass rate does not account for the 27,243 learners who dropped out of the school system since Grade 10 in 2020.

“Considering the high drop-out rate, the real matric pass rate in North West is actually 49.2% This means that half of the 71 066 pupils who began Grade 10 in 2020, failed to complete matric,” he said.

 Rabotapi said it is also disappointing to see North West province further drop in its provincial ranking from being in position 4 in 2021 to the 5^th spot in 2022.

“The DA will engage Motsumi to establish a system to account for all learners who drop out of the school system before completing their final matric examinations,” said Rabotapi.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Two men were sentenced to life imprisonment for rape by the Itsoseng Regional Court today. On 6 December 2017, Tebogo Bonolo Makgisa (25) and Serame Mosweu (27) accompanied by the complainant who is also Mosweu’s ex-girlfriend and her friend, went to Mosweu’s residence to collect her jersey at Bodibe village near Itsoseng.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, upon arrival, Mosweu locked the door and told the complainant and her friend that, they will spend the night at his place.

Mamothame further said, the complainant refused to stay and Mosweu assaulted her with objects until she fell down. He added that Mosweu and Makgisa subsequently dragged the victim to the bedroom, while her friend was watching.

“In the bedroom, Mosweu pinned the victim on the floor and Makgisa started raping her. Mosweu later left the bedroom and his friend repeatedly raped his ex-girlfriend as she was weak and defenceless.

“In the morning when the complaint left the house, she collapsed on the road and was ferried to a medical facility by members of the community. The matter was reported to the police and both the accused were arrested,” he said.

Mamothame said both Mosweu and Makgisa pleaded not guilty to the offence.

In aggravation of the sentence, Adv Itumeleng Boikanyo urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment. Boikanyo urged the court to send a strong message to other wannabe offenders that, such offences will receive harsh sentences.

He argued that Mosweu should also be sentenced for rape as they both acted on a common purpose.

Magistrate Boitumelo Chulu agreed with the state and highlighted the need for the community to have confidence in the criminal justice system.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the team effort by the prosecutor and the investigating officer for a collaboration that afforded the victim and her family justice. Mosweu was sentenced to a further three years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) assault.

They were both declared unfit to possess a firearm.

 Makhari said: “This conviction will certainly demonstrate the harsh stance of the criminal justice system in dealing with the abuse of women and other vulnerable sectors of society.”

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Picture: The missing Peter Chungwane/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A ONE-YEAR-OLD boy went missing on 29 March 2023. It is alleged that, the mother of Peter Chungwane who resides at Sapas Farm compound in Skeerpoort, near Hartbeespoortdam left him in the care of a nanny they the incident occur.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said: “At around 7am, the toddler’s mother left him under the care of the nanny and went to work.

“It is further alleged that, later during the said day, the nanny realised that the child is missing from other children he was playing with. The nanny then searched for him around the neighbourhood, but he was never found.”

Tselanyane further said, when the mother returned home, she found the community mobilised and searching for Chungwane around the vicinity of Skeerpoort without any success. He added that, during Chungwane’s disappearance, he was wearing a maroon hooded tracksuit top.

“The police in Hartbeespoortdam request the community’s assistance in locating him. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Andrew Bogoshi of Brits Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit on the cellular phone number: 082 557 1904.

“Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS App or phone Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111,” he said.

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Picture: One of the tuckshop owners, Manini Vlaarmuis

By OBAKENG MAJE

Some aggrieved Small Micro Medium Enterprise (SMME) owners across North West, who received R3500 instead of R10 500 financial muscle in the form of a loan from the Small Enterprises Financial Agency (SEFA) urged the Small Business deputy minister, Dipuo Peters’ intervention.

This was revealed during the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development and Deputy Minister for Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters’s oversight visits.

Peters and the acting chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Hein April conducted oversights to various North West municipalities and centres of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) in the province on Tuesday.

One of the beneficiaries, Ramosesane Tselapedi from Lokaleng village said, he had only received a R3500 loan and it is not enough. Tselapedi further said, the first shop where we could buy with the voucher was in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp and the other one is in Rustenburg.

“They had also informed us that, the other shop was in Zeerust. I drove there, only to find out it was closed. So, you spend a lot on petrol in order to use the grant,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Manini Vlaarmuis shared the same sentiments. Vlaarmuis said she keeps borrowing money in order to sustain her business.

“I always have to borrow money from my relatives to be able to buy my stock. As you know, most of our customers will request credit.

“So, it is not easy to run a tuckshop because sometimes, I run out of stock during the month. At the same time, I also have to maintain my relationship with my loyal customers. I can’t chase them away when they don’t have money to buy. So I’m not able to sustain my business,” she said.

The Small Business Development deputy minister, Dipuo Peters said: “We are now told that SEFA is depositing some of the money. They shouldn’t wait for us to be here because these people must run their businesses.

“They are running down companies. That is one thing that actually disappointed me. I arrived here and I’m told that these businesses received R10,500 only to find out its R3500. However, we will dig deeper into it.”

The Committee’s acting chairperson, Hein April said, they will need an explanation for the claims made by the business owners.

“We are definitely going to take to task those responsible, which is the people in the department to tell us. According to us, this money has been dispersed and we would want to know how this impasse happened, it is totally unacceptable,” April said.

Meanwhile, the SEFA’s senior manager, Lehane Letlatsa blamed the situation on business owners who changed their contact details.

“The actual offering is R10 500, but when the scheme started, the clients were getting R3500 as a grant. The other R3500 was supposed to be a credit, which the clients never took.

“A year later, the scheme was then revised and the offering was then increased to R10 500, which meant those who had already received R3,500 would automatically get R7000 without the need for them to apply,” he said.

Letlatsa added that the new applicants would have to apply for R10 500 straight. He said they have the list of those who have already received R3 500.

“The bank has been dispersing money into their accounts or into their purchasing cards. So, most of these clients who have changed their cell phones or lost their cards, are the ones who the bank has not been able to contact them.

“However, the money is in their respective purchasing cards. We have verified this with some of the clients, who claim they have not received banking notifications. And they would not get bank notifications because they have changed their cell phone numbers,” said Letlatsa.

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