By OBAKENG MAJE

A learner from Batlhaping High School in Taung is dejected and does not feel safe anymore. This comes after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a teacher, Lebogang Mooka.

According to the aggrieved Grade 12 learner (18), the teacher started to make sexual advances back in 2020, but the school management allegedly swept the matter under the carpet.

*Naledi Kenosi (not her real name) said, the sexual assault started back in 2020 when she was the admin of a Physical Science subject WhatsApp Group. She said the teacher was part of the group because he teaches the subject.

“It was on Friday night around 11pm back in 2020, when I received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. So, I asked who the sender of the message is. But the person said he is the school administrator and asked if I’m still a virgin.

“So, I told the sender that, yes I’m still a virgin, but he said I’m lying. He then sent a message making sexual advances towards me. The message he sent said, kea go galela, (which is loosely translated as, I sexually fantasise you). I responded to the message by saying, I wonder what will the principal say about this inappropriate message.” she said.

Naledi said, she immediately received a call from Mooka, who said the administration has just called him. She said, she told Mooka that, it is surprising that he is calling her immediately after she responded to the message.

“So, he confessed that, actually it was he who sent the inappropriate WhatsApp message using his other number. Then he begged me not to report him to the school management because he might lose his job.

“I told a family friend who in turn, reported the matter to my mother. My parents went to the school and a meeting was arranged between Mr Mooka, school management and me,” Naledi said.

She further alleged that, Mooka confessed and apologised for his behaviour in front of the school management and her parents.  

“On 15 October 2022, I got level 1 in Physical Science subject. So during the break, I went to Mr Mooka to ask him why did I get level 1. He said, I should come and see him after the break when everyone has settled down.

“Immediately after the break, I went to him and found him in a computer room. There is another hidden room next to it. He stood up and went into that secluded room and I followed him,” she said.

Naledi added that, Mooka allegedly grabbed her buttocks and dragged her closer to him. She alleged that, Mooka demanded a kiss from her.

“I was so terrified and I did not even know what to do. He said he would not let me go until I kissed him. So, said I’ll kiss him immediately after my final examinations.

“Unfortunately, he needed assurance, but I told him that, the only thing that he could do is to trust me. He let me go and request me not to tell anyone,” said Naledi.

She said, now her life is upside down because of this ordeal. Naledi said she could not even attend either the incubation program or the Physical Science period because she is afraid of Mooka.  

“I cannot even concentrate anymore and I do not think I will pass my matric. I become so emotional when I see him and I feel like my rights were violated yet the school does not care.

“I think he was supposed to be suspended with immediate effect pending investigations. I mean, this is not the first time happening and I do not know want he will do next,” she said.

The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said, they have despatched the investigating team from their labour unit.

“With regards to the concerning Batlhaping High School, the department has dispatched a team of investigators from the labour unit to go and investigate these allegations. So, we will be able to report properly after the labour unit has dealt with the matter,” Malindi said.

Meanwhile, North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafja Botma said: “A criminal case was opened against the alleged suspect, but due to problems with the electricity the docket will only be registered today.

“Then the case number will be provided to the victim immediately thereafter. The allegations that the docket was missing is false and the suspect will be charged as soon as the docket is registered,” Botma said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The dire situation at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) has drawn the attention of the ANC provincial leadership. This comes after ‘summoned’ the municipality’s Troika to its Mpekwa House offices in Mahikeng today.

Recently, the municipality has been under siege after being marred with widespread allegations of corruption, maladministration and malfeasance. It is alleged that the senior managers at the municipality, paid themselves R2500 monthly for danger allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic even though they were working from home.

It is alleged that these happened without any EXCO or council resolution. Another issue, the municipality has 47 unverified employees including 17 councillors.

Now, the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) and other opposition parties, want these managers to pay back the money. The F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti said, the municipality would have spent R6 million on danger allowance if each employee is paid a monthly R2500 as danger allowance.

Moeti said, he understands that the previous council agreed upon R1500 as a flat rate, but not R2500.

“As the new council, we had to solicit the report from the administration to understand what exactly happened. We understand that, there was a disagreement between the administration and the labour forum in terms of the flat rate of R1500.

“So, as the F4SD, we have taken this with an exception because all these directors and managers who were paid R2500 as danger allowance, they were actually working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Moeti further said, they conducted their own research and found out that, the matter was indeed agreed upon directors, municipal manager, chief financial officer (CFO) and senior managers without any EXCO or municipal council resolution.

“The municipal manager as the accounting officer, could not give us any tangible evidence or resolution on the matter. We understand that every issue that goes to EXCO or council passes through him. Now, we have taken a resolution that all managers, directors, CFO and municipal manager must pay those R1000s from R2500 they received for danger allowance.

“There is a lack of service delivery to our communities and the municipality’s budget is R363 million,” said Moeti.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Sam Nape said, there are widespread allegations of serious corruption, maladministration and corruption at the municipality that need to be probed. Nape said this can be attributed to various factors, including incompetence, unwillingness including lack of accountability.

“Clearly, there is malfeasance in this case and is equivalent to corruption. As the DA, we call for a proper investigation and we will also call on the law enforcement agencies such as the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the matter.

“There are many issues where one could detect maladministration and corruption. To be honest, the management has not been fair because they insisted that they should be paid R2500 because, at times, they are subjected to overtime,” he said.

Nape said, even though that time period ended around March 2022, these managers are still paying themselves that money. He said, they have not yet taken a decision on whether the money will be paid or not pending investigation.

The EFF provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said the widespread corruption that is existing at the municipality is because the ANC recruit and appoints leaders, who are corrupt in their nature.

Meanwhile, ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said: “It is true that the ANC leadership has called a meeting with Troika of the municipality. The fact is, the Deployment Committee, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the ANC, has been meeting with all Troikas of all municipalities across the province.

“This series of meetings started on 20 September 2022, so the GTLM Troika and other municipalities are scheduled for today as part of that program. The agenda of the meeting is mainly around performance assessments on local government barometer in line with the 2021 Local Government Manifesto and service delivery in general.”

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Two suspects aged 50 and 28 were arrested by the North West Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Klerksdorp on Sunday for corruption. The pair allegedly offered an investigating officer R50 000 to get rid of a docket involving their friend, who is a former senior municipality official.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said, the pair was nabbed at the Hawks offices moments after handing over R25 000 and a bottle of Glenfiddich whisky to the investigating officer. Rikhotso said their vehicle was also searched and R41 500 was allegedly found.

“Both suspects will appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they will be facing charges of corruption. Meanwhile, the money and the vehicle have been seized for further investigation,” she said.

The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in North West, Major General Patrick Mbotho hailed the investigating officer for upholding the highest level of integrity and warned people to refrain from enticing police officials because it will not end well for them.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The accused, Bongane Shebi who was arrested for allegedly killing a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke is set to appear at Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on Monday. This comes after Irish Mohokare was found murdered in her rented backroom with her throat slit open.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, Mohokare’s bloodied body was discovered by her sister 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, that the accused was spotted not far from where the incident took place, walking on with bloodied clothes. 

“The police then started looking for the accused and ultimately arrested him on 15 October 2022. Upon arrival at the police station, the accused informed them that he wants to tell the truth,” Mamothame said.

He further said, Shebi was subsequently taken in for a confession to be obtained and later took the police to point out where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing.

Mamothame added that, the accused 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. He further alleges that, he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but it was the person he was with. 

“However, the police have indicated that, the evidence that was obtained at the scene, indicates that only one person was at the scene at the time of the commissioning of the offense,” said Mamothame.

He will remain in custody until the next court appearance, where he will be doing a formal bail application.

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.

Sambatha sent his heartfelt condolences messages to the bereaved family, colleagues, and friends.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against two accused from Modimong village, near Taung will resume today at Taung Regional Court. Rebaone Malekanyo (32) and Tumelo Tlonkwe (31) were arrested for premeditated murder, assault, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.

Malekanyo and Tlonkwe were arrested for allegedly killing the former Vaaltar FM presenter and a socialite, Tshepang Seelo (32) back in 2021. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame, Seelo was allegedly killed on 31 October 2021, while walking from a local tavern with his girlfriend.

The deceased allegedly saw the duo stealing roof sheets from a certain house and called them out. Then the accused allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and killed him before dumping his body in a furrow near Khibitswane village near Taung.

Seelo’s girlfriend allegedly ran away and escaped unharmed. The deceased’s lifeless body was found floating on 3 November 2021. It is alleged that his body was mutilated and his eyes and tongue were missing.

The two accused were arrested on 2 November 2021 after they handed themselves over to the police.

Meanwhile, according to Taung DailyNews highly-placed source who is close to the investigations, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in North West has appointed a Provincial Task Team to allegedly start investigations from scratch after a ‘shoddy’ work presented by the previous investigation team.

It is alleged that, so far, the police cannot pin any of the accused to the murder scene and now the case has hit the dead end. The accused will be remanded in custody until their next court appearance.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The Taung Irrigation Scheme will be given a facelift. This emerged at the Provincial EXCO Lekgotlha in Rustenburg on Thursday last week that was addressed by the North West Premier, Bushy Maape.

Maape said, his government has prioritised infrastructure development. He said the primary objective of Lekgotlha was to assess the performance of the provincial government departments, State Owned Entities – SOEs as well as municipalities towards the realization of priorities of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019-24.

“The government is broadly on track with the implementation of the MSTF priorities. There is still room for improvement in enhancing government planning processes to ensure the delivery of all the commitments made.

“As part of promoting good governance and ethical conduct, the Exco Planning Lekgotlha resolved to establish ethics committees in various departments and government institutions,” said Maape.

He said in addition, Exco Lekgotlha has resolved to institute a vetting process for all supply chain personnel in all government departments. Maape further said they need to put emphasis on good governance by putting various strategies in place to fight corruption and acts of malfeasance gripping the government.

“Moreover, the Exco Planning Lekgotla took place as part of a broader strategy by the government to find solutions to a number of challenges confronting the province.

“This includes a declining economy, deteriorating infrastructure as well as high levels of unemployment and poverty. So, as part of ongoing efforts to resuscitate the economy, several mega projects have been identified by the provincial government,” said Maape.

He added that, the identified projects include amongst others, investing and improving provincial roads and rail infrastructure. Maape said the government also plans to invest and refurbish the George Dick Montshioa Airport through an aero-tropolis.

“The government is also looking at expediting developments around the Smart City in Madibeng Local Municipality. Other projects to be rolled out include strengthening the Special Economic Zone in Bojanala-Platinum District Municipality, as well as, the Fresh produce market in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

“The province is on course in carrying out its intended objectives. Furthermore, the Lekgotlha resolved to promote the creation of socio-economic opportunities for women and people with disabilities by removing all the barriers that impede the empowerment of these designated groups,” said Maape.

He said the municipalities were also implored to have units that pay attention to the needs of women and people with disabilities. According to Maape, internship and learnership programs will be massified and attention will be given to women, youth, and people with disabilities.

“The planning of all the identified projects will start in earnest to ensure that the implementation of all identified projects begins early in the 2023/24 financial year,” he concluded.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The situation continues to be dire at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). This comes after the shocking reports that the municipality has 47 unverified employees including 17 councillors.

These allegations were raised during a council meeting recently. The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) councillor, Mika Moeti said it is embarrassing to see this happening after the administration failed to establish who is employed and getting salaries from the municipality.

“I am aware of this matter and it was taken through to the council for discussion. This happened because those who were given a task to do the verification process were not available. So, this means we have incompetent managers who could not even do the verification process.

“It should not be a challenge at all to conduct a verification process on employees because they come to work every day. There are forms that were prepared by the Human Resources (HR) department for employees to fill and confirm their existence,” he said.

On the issue of unverified councillors, Moeti said, he is definitely sure that the number has changed because they had an engagement with the Office of the Speaker regarding the matter. 

“It is unacceptable that, we have councillors who cannot verify themselves. Those councillors should know that they have a responsibility to avail themselves.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Sam Nape said, there are many issues where they could detect malfeasance and a thorough investigation is needed. Nape said, councillors were requested by the audit department to bring their IDs, so that the verification process can be conducted.

“There were some councillors, who did not comply hence they were unverified. I am only aware of this matter, unless, there is another issue that I am not aware of.

“I understand that sometimes the municipality deliberately keeps information out of our reach as opposition parties because they know we will expose them, so, anything is possible,” he said.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said: “The widespread corruption that is there, is like the ANC recruiting and appointing leaders, who are corrupt in their nature. This is the nature of the ANC and as soon as we find out that indeed, there are 47 employees who are unverified and illegally appointed, we will make sure that we hold the ANC accountable.

“We will also be forced to report the matter to the Public Protector and Public Service Commission (PSC) to investigate because we might not have the necessary requisites to probe the matter. If the Public Protector find out that, indeed, there are those who were illegally appointed, we will call for those appointments to be reversed and those responsible to be held accountable.”

Meanwhile, the political analyst and Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies at Mpumalanga University, Dr Tshepang Molale said, the Auditor-General (AG) glaring report shows that situation in various municipalities across the country has been on a downward spiral, particularly in the North West.

“Honestly, one would have expected that the new administration across municipalities brings a wind of change. However, it is embarrassing when we look at what is happening in various municipalities like Ditsobotla, Kagisano-Molopo and others.

“We continue to see infightings, turmoil and political interference in some circles and this hampers service delivery. Some political actors fail dismally to deliver what they promised the communities during elections campaigns.”

*The Greater Taung Local Municipality municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi and the municipal spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to our media inquiry despite being sent three weeks ago.  

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 28-year-old woman who was allegedly assaulted by the flamboyant local hip hop artist, Andile “Teddy Cash” Sotshantsha calls for justice. Nomsa Prudence Banda said she had opened a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case against the thespian after he allegedly assaulted her.

Banda said, the incident happened a week ago at Motimalenyora Bottle Store and Tavern in Pudimoe Township, near Taung. According to Banda, she was standing next to an A3 Audi vehicle with her friends when approached by Sotshantsha, who allegedly ordered her to move away from the vehicle.

“I actually told him that, the owner of the vehicle came earlier to his car and he does not have any problem. However, a commotion ensued between us after he insisted that, we move away regardless.  

“Sotshantsha lost his cool after I told him that, this is not his car. He grabbed my clothes and I poured him alcohol in self-defense. However, he grabbed the can of alcohol that I was holding and started assaulting me with it,” she said.

According to Banda, they know each other very well and they actually went out with her cousin and the muso a week before the incident.

“We know each other very well and he even borrowed me his jacket. So I was surprised to see him behaving like that. He is actually a friend of my cousin because he is the one who went to fetch Sotshantsha.  

“Imagine, the nerve of laying his hands on me, while we are living in times and ages where GBV is condemned. I won’t let this go because I actually do not deserve it,” said Banda.   

The incident opened a ‘can of worms’ as startling allegations of abuse levelled against Sotshantsha came forth. One of the women, Morwadia Selekow Momow Selekow, who was allegedly in a romantic relationship with Shotshantsha wrote on Facebook, where she accused Sotshantsha of abuse.

“I was afraid to speak out that Teddy Cash once abused me, while we were in a romantic relationship because he is capable of threatening a person for a very long time.

“He must go to jail because he has been doing this to many girls in Taung for a while,” she said.

The frustrated Sotshantsha said, he was advised not to comment on the matter as is sub judice. However, he promised to reveal the ‘naked truth’ in a court of law.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “A case of common assault was reported at Pudimoe Police Station and is under investigation. This comes after a woman reported that she was assaulted.

“According to the complainant, she was with her siblings at a local tavern on 15 October 2022, whilst outside the tavern. She was involved in an altercation with the suspect and was subsequently assaulted by the suspect in her face.”

Van Rooyen said no arrest has been made with regard to the incident thus far.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The widespread corruption and maladministration continue to show its ugly head at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). This comes after startling revelations that directors, chief financial officer (CFO) and municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi paid themselves a monthly danger allowance of R2500 during the COVID-19 pandemic even though they were working from home.

It is also alleged that these managers are doing this without any EXCO or council resolution and continue to get it even though the country has since gone back to its normality.

Now, the municipality has allegedly suspended the director of corporate services, Dikagiso Mokoma for misleading the municipal council. Mokoma ‘lied’ to the municipal council that, the decision to pay a monthly rate of R2500 to employees as a danger allowance was taken by the previous council. 

However, she could not back up her allegations with any tangible evidence and that led to her suspension. In the process, the current council was forced to listen to the recordings to get to the root cause of the matter because Gabanakgosi could also not provide any EXCO or council resolution.   

Now, the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) and other opposition parties like EFF and Democratic Alliance (DA) want these managers to pay back the money. The F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti said, the municipality would have spent R6 million on danger allowance if each employee gets a monthly R2500 as danger allowance.

Moeti further said, he understands that the previous council agreed upon R1500 as a flat rate, not R2500.

“So, as the F4SD, we have taken this with an exception because all these directors and managers who were paid R2500 as danger allowance, were actually working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have also conducted our own research on the matter and found out that, this was only agreed upon between directors, municipal manager and chief financial officer (CFO) without any EXCO or municipal council resolution,” he said.

Moeti added that they have now taken a resolution that, the directors, CFO and Gabanakgosi must pay back R1000s from the R2500s they received. He further said, there is a lack of service delivery within the communities and the municipality’s budget is only R363 million.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Sam Nape said: “Clearly, there is malfeasance in this case. We are calling for a proper investigation and we will also call on the law enforcement agencies such as the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the matter. There are also many issues in the municipality, where one could detect maladministration and corruption.

“To be honest, the management has not been fair because they insisted that they should be paid R2500 monthly because, at times, they are subjected to overtime.”  

Nape said, even though the overtime period ended up around March 2022, these managers are still getting those R2500 monthly. He said they have not taken any decision on whether the money needs to be paid back or not pending investigations.

*Meanwhile, the municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi and the municipality spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to our media enquiry, despite being sent to them three weeks ago.   

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The cash-strapped ANC will construct state-of-the-art offices in Mahikeng, North West. This announcement was made by the ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi during a sod-turning on Friday.

Maloyi said, the ANC in North West is the only province without decent offices, so they have decided to build proper offices here in Mahikeng. He said they will utilise the land that was bought 10 years ago by the ruling party.

“This is the piece of land that was bought by the organisation many years ago. However, we have not been able to utilise it until now. So, we thought it must be put to good use by building new offices.

“This is going to be a revolutionary house, where all ANC structures will be housed including alliance partners if they have that appetite. The aim is to complete the project before the 2024 General Elections if things go accordingly,” he said.

The ANC provincial treasurer, Sello Lehari shared the same sentiments. Lehari said the ruling party does not have money, but they will rely on good Samaritans for funding.

“We were impressed by the ANC offices in Limpopo on January 8 this year. So, we are benchmarking with them, but this one will be the best of the best in Africa. The construction project will commence anytime soon.

“As you know, the party does not have money, but we are relying on donations, not in the form of cash. If we need any material, someone will go and buy it for us,” Lehari said.

He further said, these will be state-of-the-art offices and they will invite the media during the opening. Lehari added that, they have not identified a contractor yet, but talks are at an advanced stage.  

“It is up to the people who are assisting us and the talks are at 80% in identifying the potential contractor. Also, the designers are still finalising the construction plan.

“We will soon let you know how much the construction project will cost us. Remember, this land was bought 10 years ago before we could even become leaders, so, we do not have figures with us now on how much it was purchased for,” said Lehari.

However, the cagey Lehari promised to share the amount when at a later stage. 

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