Tag Archives: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management

Unemployed youths scammed over road traffic learnership

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Picture: The traffic officers duirng parade in North West/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

22 June 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said his department has noted with disquiet concern what appears to be an unceasing concerted effort by unknown individuals to scam unsuspecting and desperate unemployed young people by promising to train them as traffic officers. Morweng said this comes after one of these scammers going by name of ‘Mr Mantswe’ allegedly solicits money from the desperate unemployed young people under the guise of securing positions for them in the Road Traffic Learnership.

He further said the scammer allegedly promise those who had applied for traffic learnership to take them to the college “in Welkom in the Free State”. Morweng added that, this cretin allegedly tell innocent victims that he comes from his office and had scammed several young people about R700 each ostensibly for “transport”.

“The department wishes to inform the public that the traffic learnership recruitment process has been concluded and successful applicants have already been taken to the college at the beginning of this month.

“The department will inform the prospective applicants through official platforms, including website and social media pages when the next recruitment cycle starts.

We call on individuals who had been conned off by these roguish people to lay charges with the police,” he said.

Morweng said this is an illegal conduct by those who seek to take advantage of unemployed young people who are in the market for job opportunities. He said they are appealing to take to report these people to the police and to the department.

“Meanwhile our Legal Unit has opened the case with Mmabatho Police Station for further investigation. The department would like to put it on record that it follows guidelines and procedures outlined by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) on employment processes.

“This includes the recruitment of candidates on the traffic learnership. The recruitment process does not require any money from applicants as the department pays for the transportation and training costs of the successful applicants,” said Morweng.

He said the public is advised to be cautious of these criminal elements and to report any suspicious behaviour to their nearest police station and to the department.

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North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng to appear before committee over GD Montshioa Airport saga

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Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By OBAKENG MAJE

4 June 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng is expected to appear before the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management on Thursday. Morweng is expected to provide the committee with answers regarding illegal occupation of GD Montshioa Airport.

According to the Chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’ on Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile, they will also engage the department on its final Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Budget allocations for 2025/26 too. Sonakile said this comes after a prior meeting where the committee expressed its deep dissatisfaction with the department’s failure to provide adequate responses to key questions and referred the matter back for further clarity.

“To ensure transparency and gather all relevant perspectives, the committee has formally invited the two aviation schools allegedly operating at the airport to appear before it.

“This engagement aims to clarify their legal status, understand the scope of their operations, and determine whether due processes have been followed in relation to airport use and lease agreements,” he said.

Sonakile further said the members of the committee will also be available for media interviews immediately after the meeting, where they will outline the way forward in resolving this matter and reaffirm the Legislature’s commitment to accountability, lawful governance and the protection of public assets. He added that the meeting will be held at GD Montshioa Airport on 5 June 2025 at 10am.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West Provincial Secretary, Papiki Babuile said he is not surprised by these kinds of allegations because South Africa has incompetent and pitiable police intelligence. Babuile said two months ago, they embarked on an oversight visit at the airport and noticed infrequent activities, where planes were allegedly illegally landing.

“Remember, when it comes to police intelligence, we are very weak in South Africa, particularly in the North West. We actually embarked on an oversight visit two months ago at the airport and noticed that there were planes landing, which were not supposed to be at that airport.

“The department was not even aware of such activities. We were wondering as the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management that, who are these individuals, who authorised them and who are they working for and what kind of activities are they running,” he said.

Babuile said they want Morweng to be held accountable. He said they will engage with the police and ensure that a criminal case is opened against malefactors.

“Not long ago, there was illegal mining taking place in Stilfontein for months and our police intelligence could not even pick that up. So, we are vulnerable when it comes to police intelligence,” he said.

The department has not responded to The Guardian Newspaper media inquiry citing that the matter will be dealt with during the meeting with the committee.

Meanwhile, the department has sent a notice of suspension or transfer letter to the Director, Thabo Sematle, who was allegedly responsible for day-to-day duties at the airport.    

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Morweng implement new strategies to address scholar transport issue

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By OBAKENG MAJE

15 May 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said they have put measures in place to address the challenges experienced in the provision of the scholar transport service.

Morweng who addressed the media after the recent fiasco, where some scholar transport service providers downed tools due to non-payments said, there had been many challenges that scholar transport experienced and they had to implement some measures to deal with them. He further said these measures include establishing what they call the ‘War Room’ led by the Head of Department (HOD), Dr Hans Kekana, to resolve problems as they arise and they work together closely with their sister Department of Education.

“When the current contract began, we had 446 operators and in the service level agreement (SLA) we had with them, there are compliance clauses which guide steps to be taken when there are contraventions.

“The contravention as per the SLA includes amongst others, unroadworthy buses, failure to transport learners and endangering the safety of the learners,” said Morweng.

He added that they had already terminated 90 operators for one or more for contraventions mentioned above. Morweng said in the delay of payments, they had received 928 invoices and to date 552 have been processed.

“We experienced a system failure, which affected the processing of these payments. As a result, we have requested the Treasury to allow us to disburse two payments per week instead of one.

“We are now disbursing payments on Tuesdays and Fridays. We have already had two meetings with operators to explain challenges experienced. We are continuing with this engagement to keep operators abreast so that learners do not suffer,” he said.

Morweng said as part of intervention to ensure that operators are paid within the stipulated 30-day period, they are implementing a system used at the national government called ‘Re a patala’. He said it is an invoice tracking system that will assist them to quickly track and address areas where invoices get delayed.

“We are currently using a manual invoice tracking system which is problematic and prone to errors. One other problem with the manual system is that we are unable to see where there are delays in the value chain.

“Re a patala will be monitored daily and will assist in expediting payments once invoices are captured.

Challenges experienced are regretted but we do all we can to ensure that there are no further delays in processing payments,” said Morweng.

He said as has already indicated, engagement with operators is on-going. Morweng said they would also like to express their profound thanks to the operators for continuing to transport learners in spite of delays in payments.

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Morweng concerned about kidnapping and ransom cases

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By BAKANG MOKOTO

24 April 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng has welcomed the arrest of suspects who allegedly have been involved in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Hasani Daniel Maluleke (62), in Wilkoppies in Klerksdorp.

Morweng said according to the police, the group arrest followed the activation of multi-disciplinary units that were activated after the former girlfriend of the deceased was unable to reach him on his cell phone on 11 April 2025.

“Preliminary investigations established that Maluleka’s Mercedes Benz and Toyota Hilux vehicles were missing and that the house had been ransacked. Following police investigations, it came to light that a substantial amount of money was withdrawn from Maluleka’s bank account.

“The team’s efforts led to the arrest of Julia Kolobi at Extension 10, Jouberton Township, on 13 April 2025. The other four suspects were arrested in Sebokeng Township, in Gauteng Province and Kanana Township, near Orkney between 19 and 20 April 2025,” he said.

Morweng further said upon effecting the arrests, the team confiscated Volkswagen Tiguan and Golf vehicles, which are believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes. He added that the team recovered Maluleka vehicles’ keys, a laptop and unlicensed 9mm firearm with ammunition.

“In addition, the team recovered the victim’s Mercedes Benz in Evaton Township. I am worried by the cases that are linked to the recent one, where people are being kidnapped for ransom and forced to transfer monies from their bank applications linked on the phones,” said Morweng.

He said as the MEC for the department, he is worried about these types of cases as more often than not victims get injured or killed, if they do not comply.

“However, I want to assure the community that our police are on top of their game and we will crack the syndicate.

“My advice to our people is that they should always be on the alert, observe some suspicious movement and report to one of the family members or police more so when doing transactions and avoid secluded ATMs,” he said.

Morweng said following the arrest, the suspects have now been charged with murder. He said Julia Kolobi (47), Mcdonald Tsolo (39), Bongani Rampai (43), Thabo Motlatsi (50) and Kagiso Wageng (37), briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 22 April 2025, facing charges of kidnapping, house robbery and murder.

“They will remain in custody until their next appearance on 30 April 2025, for legal representation and a bail application. The body of Maluleka was retrieved by police divers from Schoonspruit River, near Orkney on Monday morning, 21 April 2025.

“Investigations into the matter continue. I would like to reiterate the call for communities to work with police to be able to win the battle against crime and lawlessness within our communities,” he said.

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Stock theft a challenge in Mareetsane area

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By REGINALD KANYANE

11 April2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said stock theft appears to be a huge challenge in the areas of Mareetsane, Mooifontein, neighbouring villages and farms. Morweng said this came during the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme (ASDP) Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded held in Weltevrede village, outside Mahikeng.  

He further said, he was made aware of this challenge during his unannounced visit to the Mareetsane and Mooifontein Police Stations, as part of oversight monitoring. Morweng added that, at Mareetsane Police Station, he found about 200 stock theft dockets that are under investigation and it serves five villages as well as over 40 farms with variation in size.

“The Mooifontein Police Station serves eight villages and neighbouring farms. The station has a serious challenge of stock theft cases reported from time to time, but the community doesn’t get feedback on any progress.

“An extraordinary approach is needed to clamp down on the concerning rate of stock theft. I have received a detailed account of the challenges experienced by both police stations,” said Morweng.

He said they have an obligation as a government to protect the communities and their properties, so they need to have a solution. Morweng said they need to urgently re-strategise and find innovative ways to root it out.

“We definitely need to demolish the syndicate if there is one around here. Following a number of complaints that we received from communities, we called on station managers to constantly provide feedback to communities on cases that are being reported and under investigation.

“Police station managers are obliged to attend community meetings within the jurisdiction of their stations. It is important to give feedback on cases reported,” he said.

Morweng said the police are doing a good job, but failing to give feedback to the concerned regarding their cases. He encouraged communities to improve their security and measures of taking care of their livestock through brand marking.

“Recently, the Mooifontein Police Station assisted communities to apply for brand marks as part of measures to deal with stock theft. With regard to other challenges raised by both police stations such as personnel and resources, we will engage with the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng.

“In order to provide them with the support they require, I will engage Asaneng to see how we can increase the station’s capacity and ensure that they service the community adequately,” said Morweng.

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Morweng visits the family of slain policeman in Ganyesa

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

9 April 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, has visited the family of the late Constable Eric Tekolo (41), in Ganyesa. Tekolo was allegedly stabbed last week Friday evening, while walking in the streets towards his sister’s house in Phohung Section in Ganyesa.

Three accused, Karabo Kunene Karabo (25), Taolo Sebolai (23) and Boikanyo Setlhabetsi (19), were arrested and charged with robbery. Their case was postponed by the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court until 16 April 2025, for formal bail application.

“We send our heartfelt messages of condolences to the family and commended the police for the arrest of three suspects who appeared at Ganyesa Magistrate Court, after their arrest on Saturday.

“The off-duty police Constable was attacked on his way home after knocking off. He was taken to the local clinic after being found with stab wounds on the street at Phohung Section, Ganyesa village, outside Vryburg on Friday evening, 4 April 2025,” he said.

Morweng further said Tekolo later succumbed to his injuries.

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Morweng calls on police to expedite rape cases

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Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng receiving a memorandum from Ipelegeng community/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

7 April 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said the alleged rape of a girl (7), in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke, shows the extent of moral decay in societies. Morweng visited the family of the little girl today, where the family shared the harrowing experience.

He further said a case of rape was opened at Ipelegeng Police Station in December 2024, two suspects aged 56 and 58, were arrested and appeared in the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court last week Friday. Morweng added that, the two were remanded in custody and they will appear again on 10 April 2025.

“I was informed of the other rape incidents, which the community says are still unresolved. I implore on the police to expedite cases and keep families of the victims informed,” he said.

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Morweng welcomes the removal of BRP at NTI

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By REGINALD KANYANE

31 March 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said he has noted and welcomed the ruling of Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria on the removal of the Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) at the NTI. Morweng said following financial difficulties and collapse of governance the NTI experienced, the shareholder resolved to put the entity under voluntary business rescue process in July 2022.

He further said Thomas Hendrick Samons was thereafter appointed as the Business Rescue Practitioner. Morweng added that Samons’ key mandate was to turn the entity around to make it more sustainable and generate income to pay creditors.

“To do this, the BRP was supposed to have developed a plan within 25 days of his appointment as stipulated by the Companies Act. However, the BRP has since failed to do all that including accounting for the money the Government has paid to the entity.

“The department has written numerous letters to the BRP asking for accountability and all the letters went un-replied. Following this failure of the BRP to submit progress reports and account to the department, the matter of removing him was pursued through the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria,” he said.

Morweng said after successfully removing him, the BRP then applied for a leave to appeal the High Court ruling. He said the department then lodged a Section 18 of the Superior Court Act application seeking an implementation of the initial order for the removal of the BRP.

“The purpose of this Section 18 move is to ensure that the court ruling is enforced in spite of the BRP application for a leave to appeal. The judgement, which was handed down electronically on 27 March 2025, enforced the initial ruling that removed the BRP from NTI.

“In handing down the judgement, Judge Hendrick Kooverjie said that the BRP failed to appreciate that he was statutorily obliged to compile the financial records expeditiously. Kooverjie also said that the business rescue process is not intended to continue indefinitely.

“Samons who has been removed as a business rescue practitioner by this court, cannot cling to his position, particularly for personal reasons. The judgement also said that the department as well as the NTI have shown on balance of probabilities that it will suffer irreparable harm, if the orders are not immediately executable,” said Morweng.

He said with the judgement handed down, the NTI must now focus on restoring best management practices. Morweng said the department will now guide NTI management to restore credibility of the entity.

“The NTI provides crucial transportation services and given its history, this entity can surely be better. Following strings of governance failures by the BRP, the we have guided in November 2024, that the department intervene directly at the entity.

“The Head of Department, Dr Hans Kekana then seconded Dr Ntlhopeng Dikobe, who is the Chief Director for Corporate Services at the Department, to be the Acting CEO at NTI,” he said.

He said as accounting officer, Dikobe will then ensure that creditors, primarily of whom are employees, are paid on time and that services are running full steam.

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North West recorded a general decrease in crime    

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Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management/Wessels Morweng/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE  

5 March 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said the province has a general decrease in crime. Morweng, who released 2024/2025 Third Quarter Crime Statistics in Stilfontein on Wednesday, said the province has recorded a total of 26 999 cases, which are over 1100 cases less than for the corresponding period the previous year.

He further said this translates into a 3.9% decrease. Morweng added that, in total, the province had contributed 6.6% to the national crime total.

“Despite the reduction in crime generally, certain crime patterns were more prevalent in some areas. There are areas where we need to intensify our operations. Not surprisingly, one of these is in the area of illegal mining.

“As had been emphasised before, illegal mining is costing the economy of the country well over R70 billion annually in gold mining alone. Added to this, illegal mining has other causal ramifications with sinkholes the common immediate detriment,” he said.

According to Morweng, they are grateful for the successful operation in Stilfontein where though the problem is not completely over, it has been significantly stemmed. He said just as they were heaving a collective sigh of relief on the back of the Stilfontein operation success, another similar challenge reared its ugly head elsewhere in the province.

“The Vala Umgodi operation had recently arraigned 22 illegal mining suspects in the Bojanala District. Of particular interest is that the nationalities of the arrested are no longer just from Africa, but from Asia as well. Of those arrested previously, nationalities varied from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

“Now added to those nationalities, we have some from Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Pakistan. For the reporting period, we had a 2.5% decrease on the contact crimes, 10.5% decrease on property related crimes and a 2.2% on other serious crimes category.

“Even though there was a general decrease in crime, contact related crimes increased by 2.3%. Malicious damage to property contributed

most cases which are 1969 cases. This is 48 more cases compared to the previous year, which is a 2.5% increase. Bojanala continued to lead particularly with serious and violent crimes with Rustenburg appearing in the top 12 stations in the country. Dr Kenneth Kaunda District is a provincial hotspot for illegal mining, sexual offences and all assaults.

“The district has both operational and non-operational gold mines, which contributes to the problem of illegal mining and associated crimes. This district also has a challenge of gangs, which are often involved in crimes such as rape, robberies, murder, assaults and drugs particularly in the Klerksdorp,” said Morweng.

“This is the similar pattern in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, who also recorded sexual offences. For the total figure 26 999 cases reported in the province, 11 958 were in Bojanala, 6 580 in Dr KK, 5530 in Ngaka Modiri Molema and 2931 in Dr RSM District.

He said Ikageng Township, in Potchefstroom continuously reports assault cases and appears in the National top 30 stations for this crime. Morweng said reported crimes in Ngaka Modiri Molema, include assault and murder and stock theft.

“Although murder cases went down by 48,14% compared to the previous year, it is worth noting that Boitekong in Rustenburg, Mmabatho in Mahikeng and Kanana in Orkney had reported more cases. There had been ten multiple murder cases resulting in 24 deaths,” he said.

He said the Ngaka Modiri Molema recorded an increase in the number of murder cases. Morweng said the province has recorded 146 rape cases less than the previous reporting period, which is a decrease of 14.3%.

“Despite this decrease, Mmabatho has recorded more rape cases than the previous year for the same period. Dr Kenneth Kaunda, however, still remains the provincial hotspot for rape cases. There had been 679 cases less in property related crimes which decreased 10.5%.

“The stock theft remains a problem in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District with most reported in Taung, Pudumong and Ganyesa. In majority of the cases, livestock stolen in the province is sold in Gauteng. As we have indicated before, we are intentional in fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and sexual offences,” he said.

Morweng said they are all well aware that crime fighting though primarily is the mandate of the police, however, successful crime fighting requires all to work together.

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Road users urged to be vigilant amid rainy weather

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Picture: Some of the roads flooded

By OBAKENG MAJE

18 February 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng urged motorists, pedestrians and all other road users to be cautious as they navigate the roads. This comes after the province experiences extreme rainfall.

Morweng said according to weather reports, the North West is among the provinces that are anticipated to experience persistent wet weather conditions in variations throughout the week.

“We call for road users to navigate roads carefully and adhere to road safety protocols in order to deal with unexpected occurrences and avoid accidents.

“Road crashes have been proven to be susceptible to harsh weather conditions, it is for this reason that we encourage road users in general to be careful as they navigate expected downpours,” he said.

Morweng further said motorists must significantly reduce their speed and increase their following distance, ensuring that headlights are on to increase visibility. He added that they should also ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy, as well as to remain alert while driving and pay attention to surroundings at all times.

“We also encourage pedestrians to ensure that they wear visible and bright clothing, walk on the right side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, avoid jaywalking and cross roads only at designated crossing points.

“Furthermore, law enforcement officers will be on high alert during this time to deal with any eventualities,” said Morweng.

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe said: “There is a return of heavy showers across parts of South Africa from 16 until 20 February 2025. Heavy on-and-off showers are expected at times this Sunday across the North West and Gauteng provinces.

“This includes the northern region of Free State, Highveld areas of Mpumalanga and south-

western Limpopo. The resulting localised floods are expected to affect susceptible areas, bridges and roads.”

Segalwe said SAWS once again advises the communities living in low-lying areas and flat plains to be on the lookout for the disruptive rain across the central and eastern regions of South Africa. He said motorists and pedestrians should be extra cautious, where roads are slippery and/or visibility is affected.

“These conditions with cloudy to overcast skies are expected across South Africa along with subregions of ordinary showers and thundershowers. The rainfall accumulation is expected to be in the region of 20 to 50 millimetres (mm).

“Daytime temperatures in these regions are also expected to be cool. The transport of moist tropical air from continental low over Botswana is the main source of the current cloudy and showery conditions,” said Segalwe.

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