North West – praag.org

North West fails to quell Ledig uprising

A plan by the North West Local Government to quell the on-going tensions in Ledig, near Sun City, has failed. The community have been on a rampage since the weekend , alleging that millions of rands in a form of royalties belonging to the community has been misused. These royalties are paid into the coffers of the community by a mining company operating there. Several properties have been destroyed, with foreign owned shops looted during the community protests.

A resolution to the tensions has been sought since Monday but to no avail. Local government MEC Collen Maine attempted to address the outraged community members but the planned resolution fell flat. The government is being accused by the community of negotiating in bad faith. Community leader Steve Moutloatse speaks of the conflict saying, “This thing is huge and we have been battling for the past ten years. We have been knocking at the wakes door, Thuli Madonsela’s door, now we are saying to the MEC, you must be prepared for the fire.”

While a meeting has been scheduled to take place at the Traditional Council Offices on Wednesday, the community wants over 30 people arrested following clashes released before the meeting can continue. The North West police Major General Jacob Tsumane says they are still monitoring the situation to enforce law and order in the area.

According to Tsumane, the investigations reveal that not only shops belonging to foreign nationals have been looted and some have been using the disorder as an opportunity to steal.

The tensions appear to be affecting life all around as even local schools have not remained unaffected since lessons are being disrupted. A learner expressed concern saying, “I am feeling so bad because as learners we want to pass and go on with life. Some of us are doing matric and it is hard for us, as matriculants because when the exams come they won’t even ask us about the protests.”

The outraged community vowed to continue with violence if government does not meet their demands, by releasing over 30 people who have been arrested and by also bringing the former tribal councillor Johannes Phologane into Wednesday’s meeting. Phologane is alleged to have knowledge of the whereabouts of the missing community funds. The community threatens to disrupt the South African Music Awards during the weekend in Sun City, if they don’t get positive answers.

Another black farm found in a state of serious neglect

While the ANC regime is pursuing a policy of “land restitution”, black farmers seem to have little interest in the ideological project

Another farm, owned by the state, has been found outside Hartbeesfontein in the North West in a state of serious neglect.

While the ANC regime is pursuing a policy of “land restitution”, black farmers seem to have little interest in the ideological project.

A white councillor in the Matlosana municipality, has had to provide food and water for three pigs through holes in a wall, after the pigs had been without food and water for some time.

“Another two pigs in the pen were already dead and were being eaten by the surviving pigs,” the statement said.

“The agricultural unit of the National SPCA was informed of the situation and removed the pigs after obtaining a court order.”

The farm is under the management of the Matlosana municipality and used for “local economic development projects”. Millions of rands have been spent on the farm but every project has failed.

The farm, Moria, was across from another farm, used as a provincial agriculture project, where the SPCA had to previously euthanize 28 stud cattle, and where recently a further two were found to be in a “shocking” state of malnutrition.

On July 6, The Sunday Independent reported that pigs were found starving and eating one another on the farm Modderfontein, near Potchefstroom, owned by Thandi Modise, who is National Council of Provinces chairwoman and a former North West premier.

Police and SPCA officials found dead and dying animals, including pigs, sheep, geese, goats and ducks. Many had to be put down.

It appeared the animals had been without water and food for around two weeks. There were no farmworkers on the property, no electricity, and the water pumps were broken.

North West premier hopes race-baiting will save her

A white farmer who allegedly had a water valve closed was to blame for problems with the water supply in Swartruggens and the Borolelo township on Sunday, said North West Premier Thandi Modise.

“It is alleged that the farmer, accompanied by a police officer, instructed the operator on site not to pump water to allow water to reach his animals downstream.”

Modise made these outlandish race-baiting claims while still awaiting a report on the incident.

According to maintenance staff however, the municipality never had the waterpumps serviced which led to the breakdown.

“We appeal to our communities not to be provoked to anger by this supposed act of sabotage and racism that need to be thoroughly investigated.”

The water shortage in Mothotlung, near Brits, sparked protests which turned deadly this week.

Two protesters were shot dead, allegedly by police, on Monday during a service-delivery protest.

Another man died after he allegedly fell out of a moving Nyala police vehicle in a bid to escape. His family says he was pushed from the moving vehicle after he was badly beaten.

Residents of Mothotlung had apparently been without water for about two weeks. The premier promised service delivery earlier but never delivered.

Meanwhile, Agang SA reported on Sunday that the Jericho community in the Madibeng municipality had been without water since last year. Madibeng is 40km from Mothotlung.

Police in North West arrest 814 suspects

The North West police arrested a total of 814 suspects through various operations in the past seven days between 08 and 15 December 2013 for Contact related, Property related trio and other crimes that include 186 for Safer Festive Season Operation Duty Calls.

These include 6 for Murder, 16 for Rape, 144 for Assault GBH and Assault common, 14 for robbery Aggravating, 31 for house robbery, 37 for shop lifting, 24 for driving under the influence, 63 for Drug related and 28 undocumented persons.

The operation also led to the confiscation of 3 cell phones, 38 possessions for suspected stolen property and 43 for possession of illegal firearms.

In most of the cases, suspects have already appeared in various courts while others are expected to appear today, Tuesday 17 December 2013.

Attempted murder in Mmabatho

Police in Mmabatho are investigating a case of attempted murder after a 34 year- old victim was shot on his back and hand on Monday, 16 December 2013 at his place at Magogoe village near Mmabatho in Mahikeng at about 03:00.

It is alleged that the victim was asleep when he heard the door of his house being kicked open. He woke up and was shot. According to the information, the suspect took two cell phones and the motive of the shooting is unknown and the suspect is still at large. The victim is in a critical condition in hospital. – praag.org and SAPS media release

North West granny raped

A man has been arrested after the rape of a 78-year-old grandmother in Taung in North West, the premier’s office said on Tuesday.

Lesiba Kgwele, spokesman for the premier, said the 31-year-old man was arrested at a shebeen in Maphoitsile village on Monday night.

“The granny was allegedly raped around 2pm on Monday when she went to collect firewood,” said Kgwele.
He said the elderly woman went home and told her son what had happened.

“Members of the community were alerted and a manhunt ensued.”

Kgwele said the man was found drinking at a local shebeen.

He would appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

North West premier Thandi Modise said in a statement it was shocking that it happened on the first day of the 16-day campaign to prevent violence against women and children.

“We call on communities to unite against the scourge of gender-based violence and to take active steps to protect our grannies,” said Modise. – Sapa

Schools need to act against racism: NW premier

Thandi Modise, premier of North West province

Schools need to take firm action against the perpetrators of racism, North West premier Thandi Modise said on Monday.

“Incidents of racism such as the one reported (at Potchefstroom Gimnasium) undermine efforts of nation building and social cohesion that seeks to unite all communities across racial, ethnic and gender lines,” she said in a statement.

Modise was responding to a report in The Star newspaper about two brothers who reportedly suffered constant harassment and racial slurs from fellow pupils at the Potchefstroom Gimnasium boarding school.

The twins, Kago and Kagiso Mangope, 14, were Grade Eight pupils at the school and were also the only blacks in the Grade Eight hostel.

Their brother Lebo told the newspaper they were constantly called “kaffir” and that two previous incidents had resulted in Kago quitting the rugby team.

A disciplinary hearing had been scheduled.

Modise said her administration would request a report from the school and would take action if necessary.

“Schools play a pivotal role in society…. Pupils coming from these institutions go on to occupy influential positions. It is therefore important that they are taught properly so that they become responsible citizens who will contribute towards building a free and fair society,” she said. – Sapa

North West: 19 arrested for rape, 195 for assault in one week

About 900 people were arrested for various crimes in the North West over the last week, police said on Sunday.

Col Sabata Mokgwabone said nine people were arrested for murder, 19 for rape, 195 for assault, 10 for attempted murder, 44 for burglary, 41 for shoplifting, 54 for drug-related crimes and 70 for possession of suspected stolen goods.

Fifty-two undocumented people were also arrested .

The remainder of the arrests were for various other crimes.

Mokgwabone said police also managed to confiscate and recover seven cellphones, 12 knives, two stolen vehicles, 55 rounds of ammunition, 14 firearms and two magazines, counterfeit cigarettes and various drugs.

The arrested people would appear in different courts soon. – Sapa

Man arrested for raping 3-year old

A black man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl in Ipeleng, near Schweizer Reneke, in North West, police said.

The 37-year-old man, who is the girl’s neighbour, took her to a nearby shack where he raped her on Monday, Captain Pelonomi Makau said.

“Police were summoned to the scene after the community allegedly assaulted the suspect. The suspect was taken to the hospital with injuries and was under police guard,” Makau said.

The man was discharged and detained on Tuesday and was expected to appear in the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s court on Thursday. – Sapa