Tag Archives: The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Friday

MRM welcomes draft stock theft prevention strategy

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Picture: Community members during stock-theft engagement/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 October 2026 – The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Friday, welcomed the draft comprehensive stock theft prevention strategy proposed by the Kgomo Modimo-Wa-Gae (KMWG) Anti-Crime Community Based Organisation as a positive step towards strengthening rural safety. The civil society led movement promoting the Charter of Positive Values remarked that the proposed strategy will contribute towards reducing stock theft threatening food security, as well as livelihoods including rural economies and significantly reduce frustration experienced by rural communities that has led to incidents of vigilantism.

MRM provincial convenor, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said the engagement was held at the Disaneng Tribal Hall in Disananeg village, outside Mahikeng on Thursday. Kgwele said they are confident that the document tabled to stakeholders has laid the foundation for a consultative province-wide inclusive engagement to strengthen crime prevention for effective partnerships, as well collaboration and implementation of new strategies to tackle the scourge of stock theft threatening subsistence and commercial farmers.

“Ratlou Local Municipality, representatives of the Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi Traditional Council, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Crime Prevention Forum (CPF), as well as local farmers including MRM Provincial Committee Members, Pastor Kabelo Mothibedi and Mma-Kgosi Gosiame Seatlholo, were part of the engagement. 

“We are encouraged by the mayor of Ratlou Local Municipality, Matlhomola Jafta’s commitment that the process to develop municipal by-laws that will address among others movement of livestock as well as establishment of a local pond is underway,” he said.

Kgwele further said improved police visibility, the use of technology such as cameras and drones, livestock tracking technologies, establishment of village livestock forums, cooperation with neighbouring commercial farmers to establish access protocols to support lawful investigations, were proposed by KMG Coordinator David Collins as immediate intervention measures. He expressed confidence that engagement with relevant authorities will ensure that the provincial dialogue to address stock theft impoverishing farming rural communities with key stakeholders is prioritized.

“The anticipated spike in stock theft cases ahead of the festive season must be proactively tackled through intensified visible policing within identified hotspot areas supported by vigilance across all farming communities. KMWG alleged that the criminal syndicates behind the stock theft involve butchers supplying the informal business sector within and outside the province including unscrupulous commercial farmers, some of whom have been arrested,” added Kgwele.

Meanwhile, the Ngaka Modiri Molema SAPS District Community Policing Officer and Coordinator (CPOC), Captain Kefilwe Kgositau and Makgobistad acting Station Commissioner, Warrant Officer Sehularo Thwane, appealed for cooperation, but warned against vigilantism reassuring stakeholders that police will not leave any stone unturned, if credible information is shared with them. 

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MRM calls for a harsher sentenced against police killers 

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Picture: Four of the accused persons/Supplied  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

28 February 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Friday, applauded the recent conviction of four men found guilty for the brutal murder of two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, Constable Simon Ntsekeletsa (50) and Sergeant Mojalefa Molete (42) in Mareetsane village, outside Mahikeng.

The civil society led body advocating for ethical, moral leadership and accountability called for stiffer sentences for the culprits found guilty of multiple charges, including stock theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of murder, defeating the ends of justice, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said, they trust that the court will send an unambiguous message that the killing of the police, who are the last defence. Kgwele said the police are the protectors of the communities against senseless violent crime and threatening them is not only a heinous crime, but a despicable and abhorrent crime that undermines the authority of the state. 

“The accused persons are expected to be sentenced in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng on 7 March 2025. If such barbaric acts are not dealt with harshly and decisively to serve as a strong deterrent, it could see communities slide towards anarchy and lawlessness.

“The Ntsekeletsa and Molete families will only find closure knowing that their loved ones did not die in vain when justice concomitant with the severity of the heartless crimes is served,” he said. 

Kgwele further said nothing short of a harsher and befitting sentence will send a resounding message of zero tolerance to police killings, as well as restore public confidence in the criminal justice system. He added that, Benjamin Kemeels Jacobs (45) Gaorekwe Jeremiah Mongale (28), Rapula George Keaikitse (27) and Matthews Modukanele(23), murdered the two officers in cold blood without any regard for the sanctity of their lives. 

“Such callous and heinous acts undermine community values, and the spirit of Ubuntu that should characterise safer and economically viable communities envisaged by the rural safety strategy. 

“The conviction stem from a tragic incident on 25 July 2021, when the officers stopped a vehicle carrying 18 goats. The court established that the occupants failed to provide a valid permit for transporting the livestock and were instructed to follow the officers to the police station,” said Kgwele.

He said on the way, the suspects’ vehicle experienced mechanical issues, prompting them to ask the officers for assistance. Kgwele said as one of the officers attempted to secure a tow rope, the suspects attacked both officers with harmers, restrained them with a rope, and tossed the injured pair into the back of the police van.

“They were later found burnt beyond recognition when the vehicle discovered at Mosita Wildlife Farm, near Vryburg. The police investigations led to the arrest of three of the accused at a residence in Logageng village, where a Z88 police service pistol with nine live rounds was also recovered hidden under a mattress.

“The fifth accused said to be the son to accused number one who was 16 years old at the time, turned state witness and provided crucial testimony that assisted the prosecution,” he said.

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