Tag Archives: near Rustenburg

Learners’ conduct at Hoer Tegniese Skool in Klerksdorp described as despicable

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Picture: Learners pouring water on a teacher/Screenshot

By BAKANG MOKOTO

27 August 2025- The North West President for the Representative Council of Learners (RCL), Bonginkosi Motaung, who is a Grade 12 learner at Holy Family Secondary School in Mogwase village, near Rustenburg, has strongly condemned the appalling behaviour of learners against their teacher at Hoer Tegniese Skool in Klerksdorp.

Motaung said on 19 August 2025, a group of learners who were dressed in overalls and balaclavas, entered the school toilets and disrupted learning and teaching at the school.

He further said a teacher responded by going to the restroom area to reprimand the learners to return to class. Motaung added that learners ended up pouring water on the teacher and throwing papers at him.

“We strongly condemn the incident. So, on behalf of all learners from the North West, we condemn the appalling behaviour by our fellow learners. We wish to distance ourselves from such learners. This behaviour is extremely unacceptable, and we discourage it from all our schools.

“I wish to convey our sincerest apologies to the affected teacher. As learners of the North West province, we stand with this teacher, and we want him not to be ashamed of himself. We are confident that the Department will take the necessary steps against these learners,” he said.

Motaung emphasized that their position is in line with the one of the North West MEC of Education, Viola Motsumi in calling for the psychosocial support for the affected teacher and the learners.

Meanwhile, The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele described the learners’ conduct as despicable, bordering on criminality and barbarism. Kgwele said the level of disrespect, abuse and violence that educators are subjected to on a daily basis has reached unacceptable, alarming proportions causing unimaginable trauma.

“This warrants adoption of zero tolerance and stringent counter measures because not only does such conduct undermine discipline, but a conducive atmosphere for effective learning and teaching particularly at most high schools.

“We commend the swift actions of school authorities assisted by learners to identify the culprits who were involved as well as instituting disciplinary action,” he said.

Kgwele urged education authorities and school communities not to allow schools to be breeding grounds of gangsters and criminality, pointing out that schools are microcosms of communities experiencing moral decay, collapse of family structures and senseless violence. He said this calls for united action as well as intensified effort to reclaim sound family and community values because the adopt-a-cop programme that is supposed to be part of the School Safety & the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QTLC) is in most cases either dysfunctional or overwhelmed by gangsterism, bullying, drug and substance abuse among learners as well as violent crimes that are encroaching into the school environment.

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Fourth suspect in business robbery and kidnapping case nabbed

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By OBAKENG MAJE

3 August 2025- In a significant progress in this case, the fourth person linked to business robbery and kidnapping in Moruleng village, near Rustenburg, was nabbed in Randburg, Gauteng Province on 30 July 2025. The accused briefly appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 1 August 2025 and remanded in custody until 6 August 2025.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said three suspects accused of business robbery and kidnapping in Moruleng village, near Rustenburg, appeared before the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court on 15 July 2025. Tselanyane said the trio’s court appearance stems from their arrest in Soweto Township, near Johannesburg on 12 July 2025.

“It is alleged that on 10 July 2025, at around 8am, a victim (36), was with his employees at his business premises in Moruleng village, when two vehicles arrived, a white Kia sedan and a white VW Jetta.

“The Kia vehicle was used to block the entrance of the business premises, while the VW Jetta occupants entered the premises, all armed with firearms. Both vehicles had four male occupants each,” he said.

Tselanyane further said they then proceeded to rob the victim of a cell phone, took cash from the till and forced him into their vehicle before driving away. He added that, following this incident, a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, ⁠Mogwase and Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg) Detectives, ⁠Provincial and National Crime Intelligence, ⁠Anti-Gang Investigation Unit, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) as well as the Hostage Negotiator was established. Furthermore, on 12 July 2025, the team managed to identify the two vehicles used in the commission of crime and an intelligence led operation was conducted to intercept a white Jetta with the assistance of Gauteng Police and security officers at Protea Glen Mall, Soweto wherein one suspect was apprehended.

“The suspect led the team to a place, where the victim was allegedly kept at Mogono Section, Luka village, near Phokeng. Upon arrival at the premises, the victim was not found, but the place was thoroughly searched and forensic evidence obtained.

“Thereafter, the team received information that the victim was released and is safely back at his business premises. Upon interviewing the victim, he mentioned that the suspects demanded ransom for his release,” said Tselanyane.

He said later the same evening, the team proceeded back to Gauteng Province to trace outstanding suspects. Tselanyane said the team proceeded to a certain house in Molapo, Soweto, and managed to arrest another suspect and in the process also confiscated a white Kia vehicle.

“The second suspect led the team to his parental home as well as to a family member’s house, where firearms were hidden. Upon arrival at the premises, the family member was found in possession of two unlicensed firearms, a Lorcin 9mm and another pistol.

“The family member was immediately arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and appeared in Soweto. The vehicles and firearms were confiscated,” he said.

Tselanyane said three accused, Joseph Thabang Makgala (52), Lemmy Elias Nku (47) and Sello Gift Khasu (34), briefly appeared in Mogwase Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody until 6 August 2025, for a formal bail application. He said investigation into the matter continues.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said: “These arrests is a strong warning and message to criminals that no matter where they are, they will be  tracked down relentlessly and they will not be afforded the time and space to enjoy and benefit from their criminal ventures.”

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Three men nabbed for business robbery and kidnapping

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By AGISANANG SCUFF

21 July 2025- Three individuals accused of business robbery and kidnapping in Moruleng village, near Rustenburg, briefly appeared before the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 15 July 2025. The trio was arrested in Soweto Township, in Johannesburg on 12 July 2025.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane alleged that on 10 July 2025, at around 8am, a victim (36) was with his employees at his business premises in Moruleng village when two vehicles arrived, a white Kia sedan and a white VW Jetta. Tselanyane said the Kia vehicle was allegedly used to block the entrance of the business premises, while the VW Jetta occupants entered the premises and were all armed with firearms.

“Both vehicles had four male occupants each. They then proceeded to rob the victim of a cell phone, took cash from the till and forced him into their vehicle and drove away.

“Following this incident, a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, ⁠Mogwase and Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg) Detectives, ⁠Provincial and National Crime Intelligence, ⁠Anti-Gang Investigation Unit, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), as well as the Hostage Negotiator were established,” he said.

Tselanyane further said on 12 July 2025, the team managed to identify the two vehicles used in the commission of crime and an intelligence-led operation was conducted to intercept a white Jetta with the assistance of Gauteng Police and security officers at Protea Glen Mall, Soweto wherein one suspect was apprehended. He added that later the same evening, the team proceeded back to Gauteng Province to trace outstanding suspects.

“The team proceeded to a certain house in Molapo in Soweto and managed to arrest another suspect. They confiscated a white Kia vehicle in the process. The second suspect led the team to his parental home as well as to a family member’s house, where firearms were hidden.

“Upon arrival at the premises, the family member was found in possession of two unlicensed firearms, a Lorcin 9mm and another pistol. The family member was immediately arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and appeared in Soweto,” said Tselanyane.

He said the vehicles and firearms were confiscated. Tselanyane said three accused, Joseph Thabang Makgala (52), Lemmy Elias Nku (47) and Sello Gift Khasu (34), briefly appeared at Mogwase Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody until 22 July 2025, for a formal bail application.

“Investigation into the matter continues,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said: “These arrests are a strong warning and message to criminals that no matter where they are, they will be  tracked down relentlessly and they will not be afforded the time and space to enjoy and benefit from their criminal ventures.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Police are looking for a missing man

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Picture: A missing man, Letlotlo Marothodi/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

13 February 2025- The police in Boitekong Township, near Rustenburg, request community assistance in locating a missing man, Letlotlo Marothodi (29), who is residing at Damonsville in Boitekong. According to information received, he was last seen by his aunt on 16 January 2025.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said, a search was conducted around Damonsville and surrounding areas and all leads were followed up, but to no avail. She said at the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a rainbow T-shirt (UZZI), Ellesse tracksuit pants and blue flip-flop shoes. 

“He is dark in complexion, with tall and slender build and afro hair. Anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Peter Mosete on 079 890 2340 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number: 08600 10111.

“Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smartphone,” said Manyoba.

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Three men nabbed for forgery and uttering

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By OBAKENG MAJE

19 January 2025- Three men were arrested by the police in Meriting village, near Rustenburg, for forgery and uttering. The men were arrested during a crime prevention-driven operation on 15 January 2025.

 The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the accused, Takalani Netangule (45), Sphelele Bangiso (34) and Bangani Anele (38), briefly appeared before Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court and were granted R2000 bail each on 17 January 2025.

“They will reappear before the court on 23 January and 13 February 2025 respectively. The accused were arrested after the members of the crime prevention unit followed up on a tip-off from members of the community during the back to school campaign operation at one of the local schools.

“As a result, a search and seizure warrant was obtained and executed at the identified place. During the search, forged documents and fake certified copies, certification stamps bearing the names of Rustenburg Station and Boitekong Vispol Commander were found,” she said. 

Manyoba said in addition, there were certified copies with false persal numbers of police officers, a doctor’s blank sick notes, pay slips, mine and South African Revenue Services (SARS) certificates. She further said it transpired that members of the community were issued with fake medical and mine qualifications related certificates produced at the internet cafe.

“The preliminary investigation conducted with one of the mines confirmed that the pay slip was false. All the equipment including computers used to reproduce

 fake medical and mining certificates were confiscated.

“Investigation into the matter continues and police request members of the community to come forth with information that can assist in the investigation by calling the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Otladisang Moremi on 060 987 8626,” added Manyoba.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, appreciated the work the police carried out jointly with the public. Asaneng reminded the communities that they are the eyes and ears of the police and that safer communities are enhanced by working together towards the fight against crime.   

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