Author: Boitumelo Tshehle
The application for the murder case against African National Congress (ANC) MP Sibusiso Kula to be struck off the court roll was dismissed on Monday by the Orkney Magistrates Court in the North West after Kula’s lawyer said his client was never read his right. The court’s presiding officer, Liesel Esterhuizen said the defence’s application must be heard by a higher court. But Kula’s lawyer Gcina Dlanjwa said he was taking the matter to the high court saying the magistrate’s decision was irrational. “We believe that this judgment stands to be challenged because they (Court) continue to commit errors of…
An acting Ward 25 councilor in Matlosana local Municipality in Klerksdorp in the North West has been appointed to replace the arrested councilor Tebogo Sepale. Sepale,43, was arrested over a week ago and faces 11 charges including two counts of statutory rape. The arrest came after various videos surfaced of him engaging in sexual activities with people alleged to be minors. Sepale made a brief appearance before the Orkney Magistrates Court today and smiled at the audience while making his way to the dock. ANC Chief Whip at the Matlosana local municipality Khayalethu Ndincede said Sepale was served with disciplinary…
The North West Language Board anticipates major challenges in monitoring sign language use in various government departments in the province. The board was reacting to the constitutional 18th amendment earlier this month, which made sign language one of South Africa’s official languages. The board chairperson, GoitseModimo Seleka said Parliament passed the bill after a year-long process but more work was required to make sign language official. “When it comes to monitoring, we are going to have a very serious challenge. We will have to work with the government closely especially the Department of Education and the community at large to…
The North West provincial government says it will pilot a debt relief program at the troubled Matlosana Local Municipality for the settlement of arreas with Eskom and the waterboards. The local government department on Sunday convened a meeting with all the province’s municipal officials to discuss a strategy for paying off Eskom’s debt. Matlosana is one of eleven municipalities heavily indebted to Eskom as well as to water boards which prompted the Local Government MEC Nono Maloyi to say the municipality must start paying. “For the next three years they [Municipalities] must pay their current account without fail, they must…
Over 100 residents from Dipati farm in Doornkop outside Ventersdorp in the North West had had their land returned to them. Some members of the group claimed the land individually while others claimed as a group and the compensation varied between R350 000 and title deeds. The title deeds were handed over by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural development Nokuzola Capa on Saturday. “I wish this day could be multiplied to all our villages and to be celebrated in our villages so that everyone knows what they got today, not money but land,” she said. Some of…
The JB Marks Local Municipality and the national department of Agriculture have launched a crackdown on businesses that don’t adhere to hygiene standards and those selling unregistered pesticides in cockroach-infested Potchefstroom in the North West. A month ago an NGO called, CropLife SA warned of a near-pandemic outbreak of German cockroaches in South Africa and – Potchefstroom is one of the affected areas. JB Marks Local Municipality’s Chief Community Safety Officer Sello Cele said a lot of retailers in town were not practicing hygiene standards. “We are looking at issues of hygiene, issues of the type of food that they…
The conduct of ANC councillor and a self-proclaimed prophet who appeared at the Orkney Magistrates Court today facing sexual offenses charges including two statutory rapes has sent shock waves through the community of Kanana outside Orkney in the North West. The ANC councilor and pastor Tebogo Sepale ,43, is facing eleven charges including four counts of rape, two counts of statutory rape, manufacturing child porn, sexual intimidation, and three counts of violation of a child with consent. Sepale was nabbed by the police last week after video recordings where he was performing sexual acts with minors circulated on social media.…
Tributes are pouring in for Vaal University of Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Dan Kgwadi who succumbed to an undisclosed illness on Sunday at the age of 56. Kgwadi previously held the same position from 2014 at North West University until he left for the Vaal Tech in February 2022. Spokesperson for the North West University Louis Jacobs sent a message of condolence to Kgwadi’s family. “It is with heavy hearts and sadness that the North West University Community has learned about the untimely passing of Prof Kgwadi who was reportedly very ill this past week and passed away during the late…
Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation Nocawe Mafu launched the N12 Ultra Marathon in Klerksdorp, which will take place on Saturday and the 50 km race will start from Klerksdorp and end in Potchefstroom. The Marathon has attracted more than 2000 athletes from around the world. Last year the race was won by an Ethiopian athlete and this year the department hopes a South African or possibly an athlete from the North West will take home the R10 000 first prize. The N12 National Road between the two towns is said to provide the finest and most ideal…
There was high drama in court today when African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament Sibusiso Kula had a warrant of arrest issued by the Orkney Magistrates Court, North West for arriving late in court to face a murder charge. Kula’s lawyer Gcina Dlanjwa also arrived in court minutes after Kula’s case was postponed and a warrant already issued. An irate Dlanjwa expressed his displeasure with the court’s inability to wait for him. Kula was expected to lodge an application forcing the state to speed up the case without any further delays. “Just when we entered court we heard that…