Tag Archives: near Vryburg

Learner’s death causes uproar  

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Picture: The deceased, Amantle Mocumi

By OBAKENG MAJE  

12 August 2025- The ANC Youth league in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has comes out guns blazing and calls on the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi to take drastic measures against the principal of Huhudi High School in Ganyesa village, near Vryburg. 

This comes after a sudden death of a Grade 10 learner, Amantle Mocumi (16), who died at the school on 8 April 2025. It is alleged that the principal of the school instructed learners to run around the school backyard three times as a form of punishment. 

It is alleged that some learners went out during school hours and the principal saw them hence the punishment. It is alleged that Amantle collapsed while running and the principal told her brother who reported the matter to him to pour his sister with water and she will wake up. 

Now, Amantle’s death has caused widespread concern and prompted calls for action. 

The ANCYL regional spokesperson, Tshwaro Sere said: “We are saddened by the passing of Amantle, who was supposed to be in class. Unfortunately, she was subjected to physical activity as if she had undergone military training. 

“We as the ANCYL, we want to put it categorically clear that the North West Department of Education must thoroughly investigate this matter and make a proper pronouncement in regard to the behaviour of the educator, who was involved.”

Sere further said they request members of the community at large to remain calm as the law enforcement agencies and ANCYL get to the bottom of these shenanigans. He added that they sympathise with the family of the deceased and call on the North West Provincial Government to provide the necessary support to them. 

The Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta shared the same sentiments. Makaneta told SABC News that the untimely death of Amantle is a cause for great concern. 

“There is no doubt that corporal punishment has been redefined by BELA Act, whereby it should not be used as a force of violence against the learners.

“We cannot have this type of approach or discipline that actually takes away the dignity of a child. Corporal punishment has been defined under the new law. However, it is most unfortunate that teachers in various schools apply this disciplinary measure, which you find not in line with the laws of the country,” he said. 

Makaneta said they call on all law enforcement agencies to work around the clock to ensure that justice is served for the deceased learner. He also calls on the North West Department of Education to take South Africans in confidence and come out clear in terms of what actions will be taken against the school and in particular against the teacher who is found wanting.

“Actions should be taken against the teacher who ensured that this type of punishment was administered. There is clearly a need for justice to prevail because if you look at it thoroughly, the demise of the learner could have been prevented if the authority in the school did something, instead of making learners run without knowing their medical conditions. 

“So, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi and District officials should go to the school and redefine their position to what could happen next,” said Makaneta.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of a learner. According to preliminary reports, the learner experienced a medical emergency during school hours. 

“The principal immediately notified the learner’s parents and called for an ambulance. The learner’s mother arrived at the school, while awaiting emergency services and together with a teacher, transported the learner to the nearest clinic, where she sadly passed away.”

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Lack of infrastructure and abuse of power allegations at Nqunde Secondary School put North West Department of Education under scrutiny    

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi  

By OBAKENG MAJE  

25 March 2025- A frustrated teacher from Nqunde Secondary School in Dithakwaneng village, near Vryburg, alleged that the school principal ill-treats him. These allegations were made and recorded by the alleged affected teacher on a video that has since gone viral on various social media platforms.

In the video, the teacher alleged that the classroom that is allocated to him is not in good condition. The teacher alleged that even learners are afraid to go to that specific classroom.

“Look, there is no furniture and the classroom is damaged. Now, learners are afraid to come to this class because they have to carry some desks. That means every time my period will be disrupted because I have to wait close to 20 minutes before everyone settles down. 

“So, that is the strategy that the principal of the school is using to frustrate me and make sure that my learners fail. She will then tell community members that I am not qualified, lacking classroom management and all these other things,” he said.

The teacher further alleged that he knows that the school principal has reserved the position he is currently occupying for one of the residents, who is still studying at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley. The teacher added that, currently, he is only teaching in this shandy because the principal alleged that he is not qualified to teach in high school. 

“This is actually a human rights violation because you will find that I’m in one class for six periods, where I’ll be teaching Natural Sciences, Creative Arts and Technology.

“So, this is the kind of frustration that I am subjected to. The high school that I’m appointed to teach does not have a building. You will find the principal always in the kitchen making sure that she monitors all those who are cooking,” he said.

The teacher also accused the principal of being a gossip monger and always surrounded herself with women from the township who do not have matric. He alleged that the staff room is in shambles and looks like a pigsty.

“She also tells the AA not to open the staff room before 8am. The principal and her crew will sometimes arrive at 8:30am. I have laid complaints to the North West Department of Education, however, no one is doing anything because I am seen as a trouble maker.

“Some teachers also take food from school,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi refuted these allegations. Motsumi said the allegations, which are irresponsible, were shared on social media and have since gone viral.

“They misrepresent the department’s efforts to improve school infrastructure. The department confirms that a request for additional funding to relocate unused mobile classrooms was submitted by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District office in 2024, with Nqunde Secondary identified as a recipient.

“On 9 January 2025, additional funding was approved, and a site handover took place on 25 February 2025, with the SGB Chairperson signing the handover certificate,” she said. 

Motsumi said by 13 March 2025, the project had been completed, with mobile classrooms assembled, renovated, and furnished. She said a completion certificate was signed by both the principal and the SGB Chairperson, confirming that the necessary infrastructure improvements had been made. 

“We strongly caution against the irresponsible use of social media to spread misinformation and discredit the efforts of the department. It is deeply concerning that some educators, instead of focusing on their core duty of teaching and uplifting learners, are engaging in the deliberate spread of falsehoods.

“The department remains committed to transparency and service delivery, and we urge teachers to follow proper channels to address concerns rather than resorting to social media theatrics,” said Motsumi.

She said the department urges all educators to uphold their professional responsibilities and refrain from misleading the public by distorting facts. 

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Ten visually impaired residents receive pairs of spectacles

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Picture: Some of residents who are virtually impaired receive spectacles/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

5 November 2024- Ten visually impaired residents from Dithakwaneng village, near Vryburg, received pairs of spectacles. The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said this will assure them to improve their vision.

Lehari further this was part of the Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded Accelerated Service Delivery Programme campaign. He added that the spectacles were manufactured at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital Eye Care Clinic, which offers same day provision of prescribed spectacles from an in-house Optical Laboratory.

“The centre further performs optical surgical procedures to improve and restore eye complications. It is important for government to provide assistive devices to people with varying impairments and disabilities to improve their quality of life.

“In the past, people were forced to accept the in inevitable and adapt to their circumstances. However, all that has changed as we have introduced intervention mechanisms intending to assist them navigate their health challenges,” said Lehari.

Lehari said his department is determined to reach out to more people and provide restorative devices to enhance their vision. He said they are in the fortunate position to provide excellent eye health care to local people through public health facilities like Joe Morolong and Job Shimankana Tabane

Hospitals, which house on-site ophthalmology services to ensure people are able to have improved vision, which translates to an improved quality of life.

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A learner hospitalised in gang-related incident in Vryburg  

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Picture: The situation at Thuto Lesedi Primary School in Vryburg/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

22 September 2024- Parents at Thuto Lesedi Primary School in Huhudi Township, near Vryburg, call on the North West Department of Education, to ensure that schools are a safer environment. This comes after one learner was allegedly stabbed and hospitalised during a gangsterism-related incident on 18 September 2024. 

It is alleged that a group of boys entered the school and attacked one learner. The attack was allegedly sparked by an argument over initiation schools.  

According to the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane, the department was notified that on 18 September 18 2024, a group of about 35 community members, forcibly entered Thuto Lesedi Primary School. Molokwane said to defuse the situation and dispersed the group that intended to interfere with teaching and learning, they requested an intervention from the police. 

“The police stepped in right away. The department will work in collaboration with Community Police Forums (CPFs) and ensure that the police’s Adopt-A-Cop programme is introduced to every school in the province, to increase school safety,” he said. 

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The information provided to the police indicates that, there was a quarrel that was sparked by initiation school topic and ultimately, a group of boys went to attack one learner, who is attending at the school.

“The police attended to the complaint and the victim was ferried to hospital. He was thoroughly interviewed, but he indicated that he does not want to open a case. No one has been arrested thus far.” 

Meanwhile, one of the parents at the school who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, called on the department to work closely with law enforcement agencies, school stakeholders, and community-based organisations to effectively address gang issues in the schools.

“Our children should know that gangsterism will not be allowed in our schools. We need community leaders with inspiring stories to deliver talks on topics, including knife crime, drug crime, and encourage learners to turn their lives around.

“Let’s make our schools safer and be vigilant enough to spot any gang crimes in schools as early as possible. I think a proactive approach from teachers and school staff will also be imperative in addressing this,” she said.  

She said it will be vital for teachers to be well-informed, build trusting relationships with their learners and collaborate with experienced organisations that can offer support. She further said this will play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing gang-related issues effectively. 

“Together, let’s work towards creating safer, healthier learning environments for all students,” she added.

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Three people died in a car accident in Leshobo

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Picture: A horrific accident that claimed lives/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Taung are investigating a case of culpable homicide after three people died in a horrific car accident in Leshobo village, near Taung in the early hour of Saturday morning (2 March 2024). It is alleged that some mourners were from the graveyard to bury a traditional healer, Otlhagile Diketso Maine (57) who died in a car accident last week in Ganyesa village, near Vryburg.

According to information, a bakkie that was carrying mourners, allegedly experienced a tyre burst and overturned. Atleast three men were certified dead on the scene, while others who suffered injuries, were ferried to the hospital for medical treatment.

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “Yes, the police are aware of the atrocity, but at this stage, it is not clear how the accident occurred. The police arrived at the scene and found injured people.

“The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was also summoned to the scene. Upon arrival, they atleast decleared three people dead. A case of culpable homicide was opened and investigation is underway. So far, the ages of the deceased persons are unknown.”

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Portfolio Committee concerned after a Grade R learner pushed out of ‘unroadworthy’ scholar transport bus in Vryburg  

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Picture: The bus that a learner allegedly pushed out of it/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’s Public Works, Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management, Mmoloki Cwaile said they have requested the North West Department of Community of Safety and Transport Management to thoroughly investigate the incident, where a Grade R learner from Moeti Primary School in Huhudi Township, near Vryburg, was pushed out of the moving scholar transport bus.

It is alleged that, the learner, Lethabo Goralotse (5) was allegedly pushed out of a moving scholar transport bus by other learners. The incident allegedly took place on Friday morning between Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital and Morning Star Private School at around 6:30am.

Cwaile said, Lethabo was allegedly pushed into the bus and balanced with her hands on the emergency exit window, which was reported to be loose at the time. He further said, that allegedly resulted in her being thrown out of a moving bus.

“The driver could not be alerted immediately and the injured learner was assisted by a motorist. She was transported to the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital for medical attention. As the Portfolio Committee, we have reached out to the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari and North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, who has also made an effort to reach out to the family.

“We have also reached out to the family of the affected learner and assured the mother, Connie Goralotse that, we will react once we have received the investigation report that will determine ascertain us that the bus was in good condition and roadworthy, including how the accident happened,” he said.

Cwaile added that, they will have an interaction with the North West Community Safety and Transport Management to seek redress. He said they have also been informed that, the injured learner was assessed only for five hours at the hospital then her family transferred her to a private hospital because they were not happy with the service they received.

“It is alleged that, no clinical observations and investigations were conducted to exclude the possible head injuries. However, we will continue to engage with the family and monitor the kind of support that is provided to them. We will continue to hold the department accountable.

“So, we condemn with the strongest possible term the usage of unroadworthy buses as scholar transport and the collapse of the thorough inspection that must exclude the risks that are associated with scholar transport. However, we are confident that we will drill this matter to the bottom of it and take it to the logical conclusion,” said Cwaile.

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said: “We wish the learner a speedy recovery and also assure the parents that a thorough investigation into what happened will be done. We will in the meantime, engage the family to hear their side of the story.

“The department has a team of monitors in all the districts and observance of compliance is done on an extemporaneous basis. The service level agreement (SLA) the department has with contracted operators includes a passenger liability by the operator.”

Lehari said roadworthiness inspection of vehicles is not done exclusively for learner transport, but as part of normal law enforcement operations to ensure compliance. He said it is on record that, earlier this year, many learner buses which were not roadworthy were impounded by the department.

The Director for Public Transport Service, Dr Olebogeng Baikgaki engaged the operator following Lehari’s directive for an intervention. Baikgaki said the department has already engaged the operator to arrange for the learner to be treated and be responsible for the medical bill until the child recovers fully.

“Over and above this, the operator has committed to assist with the private transportation of the learner to and from school until she has fully recovered”, said Dr Baikgaki.

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