11 January 2025- Four men who are accused of business robbery in Mokassa 1 village, near Taung, were arrested. This comes after a swift response by the police and members of the community.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Aobakwe Motshela (26), Thatayaone Mongalenyane (26), Goitsemodimo Dikhucwe (33), and Zwelinzima Mohapi (31), were arrested on Tuesday evening, 7 January 2025, after allegedly committing a business robbery in Mokasa 1 village.
“It is alleged members of Visible Policing rushed to the scene after receiving a call at about 6pm, informing them of robbery in progress. Upon arrival, the police joined members of the community who were found chasing the suspects.
“Three men were as a result arrested. The fourth suspect who was seen carrying a firearm, was apprehended after being found hiding in the bushes,” he said.
Mokgwabone said a search for the firearm was conducted immediately and the following day, but that did not yield positive results. He said the accused briefly appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court.
“They were remanded in custody until 16 January 2025, for a formal bail application,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the District Commissioner of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng, thanked members of the community and the police for their cooperation, which he said is a good example of what can be achieved if everyone is involved in the fight against crime.
Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
10 December 2024- In her effort to combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), North west MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, embarked on GBV roadshow in Myra village, near Taung, to raise awareness.
Dantjie urged members of the community to confront social stigmas and offer support to survivors of GBV. She also encouraged community members to stop abusing and discriminating against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and intersex (LGBTIQ+) community because of their sexual preference as it is also considered GBV.
“Since COVID-19, Gender-Based Violence has risen and became a second pandemic. Let us not judge our LGBTIQ+ community, but accept and love them because they are our children and deserve to be taken care of.
“We plead with women to stop using their children as an excuse to stay in abusive relationships. A loving mother will not allow her children to witness her being abused as it is emotionally damaging them,” said Dantjie.
She further said the public should use the services of their social workers to get out of that abusive relationship. Dantjie added that there are safe houses that the government has built to accommodate and give counselling to victims of GBV.
“During our roadshows, we also introduced our new flagship programme dubbed, Re Thuse Re go Thuse that encourages community members to report their challenges to the department in order for them to get help.
“We distributed 100 food parcels to families facing undue hardships. Food parcels do not end poverty, but they are a means to help our people so that they do not go to bed hungry,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West called for stronger partnerships against GBVF. Pastor Lesiba Kgwele, who is the Convenor of the MRM North West Interim said, the civil society led movement promoting the Charter of Positive Values.
“GBVF as a persistent pandemic that is insulated by male chauvinism, patriarchy, culture and religion. The limited involvement of civil society organisations, church and traditional leaders as well as Men and Youth organisations, undermines the objective of what is supposed to be an action driven mass campaign.
“The exclusion of civil society from implementation of government programmes contributes towards perpetuating atrocities and stereotypes that need to be overcome if respect for women’s rights and gender equality are to be entrenched,” he said.
Kgwele said the starting point should be narrowing the social distance and establishing genuine partnerships that will also assist to address the trust deficit that exists for meaningful and sustainable interventions. He appealed to the business sector to support initiatives and programmes aimed at enhancing sound family and community values.
Picture: A RDP house belonging to the late traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu
By OBAKENG MAJE
27 November 2024- A murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case against nine accused persons from Modutung village, near Taung, has been postponed to 2 December 2024, by the Taung Magistrate’s Court.
Letlhogonolo Mothibi (38), Thomas Morakanele (29) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property, while Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43), Tshepo Sekgetho (31), Lesego Mongale (34), Lebogang Morakabe (44) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.
The decision on bail application of Mongale, Oshubile, Kwati, Sekgetho, Semau and Morakabe, is expected to be announced today. Mothibi, Morakanele and Boikanyo were denied bail.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.
Mokgwabone said the accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine.
“Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands. Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.
“They allegedly looted goods from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.
Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Picture: A RDP house belonging to the late traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu
By OBAKENG MAJE
25 November 2024- A murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case against nine accused persons from Modutung village, near Taung, will resume in Taung Magistrate’s Court today.
Letlhogonolo Mothibi (38), Thomas Morakanele (29) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property, while Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43), Tshepo Sekgetho (31), Lesego Mongale (34), Lebogang Morakabe (44) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.
The decision on bail application of Mongale, Oshubile, Kwati, Sekgetho, Semau and Morakabe, is expected to be announced today. Mothibi, Morakanele and Boikanyo were denied bail.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.
Mokgwabone said the accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine.
“Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands. Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.
“They allegedly looted goods from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.
Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Picture: A house belonging to a traditional healer, late Omphile Mothusiemnag-Legodu
By OBAKENG MAJE
20 November 2024- Three of nine accused in a murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case from Modutung village, near Taung, were denied bail. Letlhogonolo Mothibi (38), Thomas Morakanele (29) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property, while Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43), Tshepo Sekgetho (31), Lesego Mongale (34), Lebogang Morakabe (44) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.
The bail application hearing against Mongale, Oshubile, Kwati, Sekgetho, Semau and Morakabe was postponed until Monday.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.
Mokgwabone said the accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine.
“Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands. Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.
“They allegedly looted goods from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.
Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Picture: The RDP house of a traditional healer, the late Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu torched
By OBAKENG MAJE
18 November 2024- Three of nine accused in a murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case from Modutung village, near Taung, were denied bail. Letlhogonolo Mothibi (38), Thomas Morakanele (29) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property, while Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43), Tshepo Sekgetho (31), Lesego Mongale (34), Lebogang Morakabe (44) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.
The verdict on bail application against Mothibi, Morakanele and Boikanyo, was announced today.
The bail application hearing of Mongale, Oshubile, Kwati, Sekgetho, Semau and Morakabe continues.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024. Mokgwabone said the accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine.
“Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands. Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.
“They allegedly looted goods from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.
Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Picture: A house belonging to a traditional healer, Omphile Mothisuemang-Legodu set alight
By OBAKENG MAJE
18 November 2024- Nine accused persons from Modutung village, near Taung, who were arrested for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson, will know their fate today. Letlhogonolo Mothibi (38), Thomas Morakanele (29) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property, while Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43), Tshepo Sekgetho (31), Lesego Mongale (34), Lebogang Morakabe (44) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.
The verdict on their bail application is expected to be announced today.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024. Mokgwabone said the accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine.
“Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands. Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.
“They allegedly looted goods from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.
Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Picture: A house belonging to a traditional healer, Omphile Mothisuemang-Legodu set alight
By OBAKENG MAJE
13 November 2024- Three of nine accused in a murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case from Modutung village, near Taung, will know their fate on Monday.
Letlhogonolo Mothibi (38), Thomas Morakanele (29) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property, while Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43), Tshepo Sekgetho (31), Lesego Mongale (34), Lebogang Morakabe (44) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.
The verdict on bail application against Mothibi, Morakanele and Boikanyo, will be announced on Monday. The bail application against Mongale, Oshubile, Kwati, Sekgetho, Semau and Morakabe was postponed until Thursday.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024. Mokgwabone said the accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine.
“Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands. Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.
“They allegedly looted goods from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects. Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
11 November 2024- A calamitous parent of a learner at Yarona Early Childhood Learning Centre (ECL) in Nhole village, near Taung, calls on the North West Department of Education to probe the school over corporal punishment allegations.
This comes after startling allegations that learners at the school might be subjected to corporal punishment.
According to a concerned parent, who cannot be named to protect the identity of a minor, his son came back home with wounds on his ears. The child alleged that a certain teacher called Boipelo, pulled him with ears and left him wounded.
“It is disheartening what is happening at that school. This is not the first time my child came back home with wounds on his ears. The same thing happened in August this year, but I kept thinking that maybe it was a mistake.
“However, the same thing happened last week. I called the principal of the school, Mrs Thomas who alleged that the child was not assaulted by a teacher, but by other learners. So, I asked her if they are harbouring bullies at the school and she never had the guts to inform me? However, she could not answer,” he said.
Insert: A learner left with wounds on his ears after being allegedly assaulted by a teacher
A concerned parent further said, Thomas did not want to account because if learners can beat each other without being reprimanded, then that means the environment is not safe for teaching and learning. He added that some parents that he spoke to, also shared the same sentiments, and alleged that their children were assaulted at some point by the same teacher.
“Corporal punishment has been abolished in schools and what is upsetting is that, I also called the teacher who is accused, but she said learners have a tendency of lying to their parents and alleged that she is the one who assaulted them.
“She also accused parents of being over-protective of their children. I told her that there are so many ways to discipline learners, instead of practising corporal punishment,” he said.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said they have launched an investigation over the allegations. Molokwane said as the department, they condemn acts of corporal punishment in schools.
“Corporal punishment has long been abolished and is therefore considered a criminal offense. The Department of Labour Relations will conduct an investigation into the allegations that a teacher applied corporal punishment to a learner at Ya Rona ELC,” he said.
Thomas did not respond to our media inquiry before publishing this article. Her response will be incorporated in the article once received.
Meanwhile, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child said: “The prohibition of corporal punishment in schools has been in place since 1996 with the passage of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996. The Act states that: 1. 2.
“No person may administer corporal punishment at a school to a learner and any person who administers corporal punishment is guilty of an offence, and is liable on conviction to a sentence which could be imposed for assault.”
The organisation said the National Education Policy Act (1996) states that no person shall administer corporal punishment or subject a student to psychological or physical abuse at any educational institution.”
Picture: A house belonging to a traditional healer torched
By OBAKENG MAJE
11 November 2024- The bail application in a murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case against nine accused, who were arrested in Modutung village, near Taung, will resume today at Taung Magistrate’s Court.
Letlhogolo Mothobi (38) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Thomas Morakanele (29), Tshepo Sekgetho (31) and Lesego Mongale (34), appeared on a charge of arson. Mokgwabone said the police also arrested the 9th suspect, Lebogang Morakabe (44).
“Morakabe is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property together with Mothobi and Boikanyo. A multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.
“The accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing the crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine. Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house. He added that goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze.
“The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.
Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
The Guardian 