The murder case against nine accused, Oleogeng Donald Bohelo (29), Tumisang Duncan Lobelo (23), Bakang Makolonkwane (42), Mosepele Gideon Mompati (64), Amos Mbolelo Sanoke (27), Grace Molemoeng Segacwe (41), Frans Seabelo Thae (54), Gobonamang Thae (39) and Tekoetsile Francis Thae (58) was postponed by the Taung Magistrate’s Court until 27 July 2022 for further investigations.
The accused were arrested on 29 June 2022 for allegedly killing Dikakanyo Sanoke (19) at Loselong village near Pudimoe.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “It is alleged that the mob fetched Sanoke from his home on 28 June 2022 after accusing him of house-breaking.
“The accused allegedly forcefully took him to the nearby bushes and beat him to death. They were subsequently traced, arrested, and appeared before the Taung Magistrate’s Court and charged with murder.”
He said the police reports indicated that further arrests are imminent and the accused will remain in police custody until their next court appearance.
Picture: The house where three men were allegedly burned to death in Ganyesa/Screengrab
By REGINALD KANYANE
A triple murder case against Kitso Ben Jood (55) and the other eleven accused was postponed by the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court until 28 July 2022 for further investigations. Jood and his accused are facing charges of kidnapping, arson, and murder of three men in Morokweng village near Ganyesa.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The police report reveals that eleven of the suspects were arrested in the early hours of Friday morning on 27 May 2022 during a crime intelligence-driven operation by a multi-disciplinary team, comprising of Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police (POP) and Detectives.
“The report further reveals that on 24 May 2022, some members of the community went to a rented house at Ga-Mokgopha Section, where Bonakele Sabasaba (32), Khayalethu Sabasaba (22), and Zanaflex Sabasaba (26), who are all South Africans from Carletonville in Gauteng Province lived.”
Mamothame said the group allegedly pelted the house with stones to force out the trio. He further said in the process of escaping the attack, the victims allegedly stabbed and injured some of the attackers.
“The group then chased and caught the men, who were accused of dealing with drugs. The
men were then taken back to the house, which was eventually set alight. Sadly, the victims burnt and died in the house.
“The police managed to confiscate a vehicle that was allegedly used during the commission of the crimes. The investigations into the matter continue and the state also intends to have all twelve appearing before the court on 28 July 2022,” he said.
A murder case against Thabang Moswane (24) has been postponed by the Koster Magistrate’s Court to 1 August 2022. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the delay was caused by the autopsy report and police photo albums to complete investigations.
Mamothame said the Boons police were summoned to a horrific murder scene in Mathopestad on the 9 May 2022 afternoon. He said initial information indicated that there was a fight between Kedisaletse Elizabeth Moswane (53), and her son, Thabang Moswane.
“On arrival, the police found Kedisaletse’s body inside a shack with numerous stab wounds. The police were informed that Thabang, was allegedly seen drinking his mother’s blood after stabbing her.
“He was immediately arrested and appeared before the Koster Magistrate’s Court. Thabang has abandoned his bail and he will remain in police custody until the next court appearance. He is charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed his mother to death,” he said.
Picture: The deceased, Neo Refemetswe Tlhame (2), who was found in a shallow grave/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for the alleged murder of his nephew, Neo Refemetswe Tlhame (2) in Extension 3, Blydeville outside Lichtenburg. This comes after the lifeless body of Tlhame was allegedly found in a shallow grave near a river on 5 July 2022.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said the suspect was arrested after being questioned and linked with the case.
“According to the information received, police were called by Neo’s mother after they spotted a suspicious grave near the river. The grave was dug out and the decomposed body of young Neo was identified with the clothes he was wearing on the day of his disappearance.
“Neo went missing on 24 May 2022, while with his grandparents. However, his disappearance was established by his mother when she went to fetch him after work,” Funani said.
She said subsequent to the fruitless search by the community members and Neo’s family, a missing person inquiry was opened for investigation. Funani further said the police also joined the search, but Neo was never found.
“The suspect is expected to appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on 8 July 2022 for murder,” said Funani.
North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena congratulated the Lichtenburg Detectives for the quick response that led to the arrest of the suspect. Kwena added that the police take crimes against children and women very seriously and this arrest proves that those who commit such heinous crimes will not be allowed to walk free in the province.
SABC reporter, Tebogo Phakedi from Mahikeng has been nominated as one of the 50 most influential young people in the North West province by Rustenburg-based newspaper, Naledi News.
Phakedi, who is also the North West University alumnus said she was excited after her nomination. The Naledi News requested its readers and the general public to suggest young people, who they believe are goal-driven and influential.
“When the editors contacted me to inform me about the nomination, I was astonished. I am humbled to be part of such an incredible and inspiring list of young, driven people in the province.
“Initiatives like these play an important role in realising the ideals and goals of aspiring professionals. It is important for me to empower young people and crucial for them to further their education,” she said.
Phakedi further said there are so many resources young people can use to hone their skills and they just need help to access them. She added that technology is on their side and they just need to be intentional about the kind of education they attain to use it to their advantage.
Phakedi completed her master’s degree in public administration at the NWU in 2018, with her dissertation focusing on public procurement systems–the laws regulating tenders in the country.
With South Africa being a country with many reports and allegations of corruption, her study concluded that political influence plays a role in directing tenders to certain individuals as bribes are paid to solicit contracts.
She started her career as a writer at the Mahikeng Campus student newspaper, The Album.
“Journalism is my calling. From being an aspiring writer for the campus newspaper, to be a local community radio journalist and finally being employed by the SABC, it is truly a privilege to tell stories that change lives.
“I am also an alumnus of the Young African Leaders initiative, and also obtained a certificate in media management from FRAY-Intermedia in collaboration with SANEF. I am currently pursuing a PhD in public administration at the NWU.
Close-up of unrecognizable cute baby shaking feet while lying in bed, innocence concept
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A lifeless body of a boy (2) was found in a shallow grave in Extension 3, Blydeville near Lichtenburg on Tuesday. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said the decomposed body of Neo Refemetswe Tlhame was identified by his mother.
“According to the information received, police were called by Neo’s mother after they spotted a suspicious grave near the river. The grave was dug out and the decomposed body of young Neo was identified with the clothes that he was wearing on the day of his disappearance.
“Neo, who was with his grandparents, went missing on 24 May 2022. His disappearance was established by his mother when she went to fetch him after work. Subsequently, a case of a missing person was opened after a fruitless search by the community members and Neo’s family,” Funani said.
She further said the police also joined the search, but Neo was never found. Funani added that the cause of his death is still unknown and no one has been arrested yet.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the incident and urged the Lichtenburg Detectives to do everything in their powers to arrest the alleged perpetrators of this crime.
A candle may have sparked the fire, which killed an elderly man in Lokgabeng village, near Mokgareng in Taung. The charred body of Mabula Samuel Gabonewe (79) was found by his granddaughter, Kealeboga Sekgetho (45) lying unresponsive in his house on Monday morning.
“We found our grandfather lying unresponsive in his house. However, we could not determine whether the fire was caused by a candle or not. As a family, we are downtrodden by the atrocity.
“We are still waiting for the post-mortem to determine the cause of his death. He was intensively burnt and we will talk about funeral preparations after we have received autopsy results,” Sekgetho said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The Taung police are investigating an inquest after it was reported on Monday that an elderly male was found lying unresponsive in his house.
“On arrival at the scene, the police found the elderly man, who was identified as Mabula Samuel Gabonewe by his granddaughter. Initial investigation of the scene indicated that the bedroom of the house had burned.”
Van Rooyen said the cause of death, as well as the cause of the fire, has not been established yet, but an investigation continues.
Picture: The alleged drug lord and murder accused, Bakang Katong, his brother, Phenyo, and Katlego Mosimege/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder case against four men from Manthe village in Taung was postponed until 4 July 2022 by Taung Magistrate’s Court for further investigations. The alleged drug lord Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34) and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested two months ago in connection with the brutal murder of the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).
It is alleged that Mothibedi stole R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house two days before his ‘untimely’ death.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said: “The preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village near Taung, when the suspects fetched and transported him to Manthe village. Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted.
“After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to Manthe clinic by a group of men and requested nurses to check if he was still alive. However, Mothibedi was certified dead upon arrival.”
One of the community leaders, Ali Sakiele said they are sick and tired of drug lords who sell drugs to young people. Sakiele further said they have attended the court proceedings because they have taken a decision as a community of Manthe that they do not want to see anyone selling drugs anymore in their area.
“We urge the magistrate to deny the alleged perpetrators bail. We came to court to show support and to address our grievances in a coordinated manner. Drugs destroy many lives and livelihoods including dividing families, so as the community, we say #EnoughIsEnough,” he said.
The deceased’ sister, Boingotlo Mothibedi (37) said: “It is difficult to see my brother’s life being cut short by alleged drug lords. Even though Thabiso was not perfect, he was a peaceful person, who loved to engage positively with people.
“So, what happened to him is inhumane. We call on the justice system to deal harshly with the perpetrators. It is not only Thabiso’s life that has been lost because of drugs but so many lives of young people are being destroyed on a daily basis”
She alleged that the perpetrators used her brother and killed him afterward.
Meanwhile, three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family were torched by irate community members on 1 May 2022. Another community member, Mothusi Motimeng said: “I blame Baga-Maidi Tribal Authority including incompetent police for all these shenanigans happening in our area.
“Everybody can see what is happening and as community members, we have been complaining about these drug lords, who sell nyaope to our youths. Now, these nyaope addicts broke into our houses, stole properties, and sold them, so that they can get money to feed their cravings.”
Motimeng further accused the alleged drug lords of using the deceased for their own benefits and killed him afterwards. He said as a community, they say #EnoughIsEnough because many communities are suffering from the effects of drug addiction and its wide-ranging impact.
Picture: The Lekwateemane Local Municipality and clinic in Christiana gutted by fire/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West said the fire that gutted the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality building and clinic in Christiana might have been caused by political interference.
EFF provincial spokesperson, Linda Mabengwane said in a statement that even though there is no finalized report currently, the party hopes that the cause of the fire is an innocent human mistake.
“However, we cannot rule out the possibility of political foul play due to the internal factional battles of the ANC. The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region is a well-known ANC war zone in the North West.
“Over the past few years, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality and its local municipalities have all been engulfed in the remnants of the ANC’s political war fares. In December 2021, we saw Christiana Hospital equally being burned in the midst of the heated factional battles of the ANC and to this day no one has been held accountable,” Mabengwane said.
He further said as the EFF, their stance has always been that communities must never be caught in the crossfire of the ANC fighting itself. Mabengwane added that the people of North West must never allow themselves or their resources to be used to fight the internal party fights within the ANC.
“The EFF hereby calls on all stakeholders to be on the ground and ensure that a proper report is compiled to ensure that the person responsible for torching healthcare services in Lekwa Teemane is held accountable.
“It cannot be that health facilities continue to burn yearly and no one is held accountable,” he said.
The North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha said: “We have sent a team of executive managers led by the acting DDG for Health Services, Pule Monale to assess the state of the Christiana Town Clinic, which was destroyed by fire Monday evening.
“The town clinic which has been the only remaining health facility in the area was attached to the municipal hall which also caught fire. The sad incident occurs at a time when we are in the process of finalising procurement of Parkhomes, which are to serve as a temporary structure until the hospital is rebuilt.”
Sambatha said his team has made some sound recommendations to restore health services to the community of Christiana. He said the management team has reported that the extent of the damage caused by the fire is such that the facility will not be operational any time soon.
“As a result, a number of measures for intervention have been proposed and will be immediately implemented. The first immediate intervention is to avail a mobile clinic, which will be stationed next to where the burnt clinic was. The mobile clinic will be stationed there until the health services are restored.
“Following the assessment, the management team has also recognised that there is a piece of land next to the municipality, which can be used to erect a temporary structure in a form of a Parkhome. The strategic positioning of this piece of land will enable the structure to access water and electricity, which will allow clinic services to be rendered without interruption,” said Sambatha.
He said the team has proposed the utilisation of an old Parkhome which consists of three consulting rooms and the structure will provide an additional room to the burnt clinic. Sambatha said the municipality was immediately engaged on these proposals as the need to restore clinic services is a matter of emergency in the area.
Meanwhile, the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi said that service delivery will not be affected and they have appointed a team to do a damage assessment caused by the fire.
A 30-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by the Vryburg Regional Court for murder. On 10 September 2021, Lalelani Lovungo viciously assaulted Karabo Makolonkwane (17) with fists and kicked her until she lost consciousness in Coldridge Township near Vryburg.
North West police spokesperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The court heard evidence that Lovungo and the Makolonkwane, who were from a tavern in Monoto-Mosetlha Informal Settlement in Vryburg, were previously in a relationship.
“The accused suddenly started assaulting the victim and she left the tavern to go to her aunt’s home. However, she was followed by the accused, who continued to assault her along the way. The members of the community, who witnessed the atrocity, tried to stop him with no success.”
Van Rooyen further said the vicious assault continued as the due reached the home of the victim’s aunt. She added that Makolonkwane’s aunt tried to intervene, but Lovungo overpowered her.
“The Emergency Medical Response Service (EMRS) were called and declared Makolonkwane dead on the scene. A case of murder was reported at Vryburg Police Station and the accused was arrested the same evening with the assistance of the victim’s aunt and community members.
“On Wednesday, 29 September 2021 the investigating officer, Sergeant Lebone Maine, successfully opposed bail and Lovungo, who remained in custody until the date of his sentencing,” she said.
Lovungo was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000) and his name will be entered into the National Child Protection Register to be declared unfit to work with children.
