@theweekendrise @wolmaransstadlink.news
• IPID has taken over the murder case involving a Wolmaransstad police officer who murdered his girlfriend in Tswelelang following an argument
According to the information, the accused was arrested on the 8th of March 2025, after stabbing his 40-year-old girlfriend, Dikeledi Ingrid Serake, in the neck
The tragic incident occurred at Tswelelang Location where Serake was declared dead at the scene
Police officers have been urged to seek professional support from the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) programme, rather than resorting to violence
Sergeant Leepile Mtimkulu aged 46, who was stationed at the Wolmaransstad Police Station, appeared before court, facing a charge of murder
Following the attack, Mtimkulu reportedly handed himself over to the police, leading to his immediate arrest
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) took over the investigation, as the accused is a member of the police force
The North West Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, strongly condemned the incident, especially as it occurred on International Women’s Day (8 March)
"It is disheartening to see a police officer being arrested for a Gender-Based Violence-related incident. Officers are entrusted with protecting the public, yet this case represents a disturbing betrayal of that trust," Asaneng said
He urged police officers facing personal challenges to seek professional support from the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) programme, rather than resorting to violence
• It is now April 2025, looking back, EFF members across provinces of the country marched against continuous loadshedding the citizens was facing
In Maquassi Hills, members of the EFF who were arrested during the party's National Shutdown 2 years ago are off the hook
This was confirmed by the party's Spokesperson in Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region, Fantah Mookela
Mookela confirmed this in a recorded interview with Wolmaransstad Link
9 EFF members who were arrested on the 20th of March 2023, appeared before the Leeudoringstad & Wolmaransstad Magistrates' Courts on charges of consolidating public violence
Members appeared before courts on the 21st and 25th of April 2023
Members of the party during that time were shot at with rubber bullets and grenades following disruption that left police impatient
Speaking to Wolmaransstad Link during the time, EFF Spokesperson in Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region, Fantah Mookela said, their members were subjected to physical abuse including a husband of one of their Councillors in Witpoort
"A Councillor in Witpoort was beaten and arrested at her house after the blockade of the roads were done, then she left at 02:30 to her home only to be awaken by police. When the husband stood up, he was also beaten and arrested by police" - Mookela
Mookela said, they had advised members who were beaten by the police on that day to open cases of harassment and assault against them
The female Councillor who was assaulted at her home in Witpoort said she had decided not to pursuit this matter and let it to rest
• Residents of Lebaleng in Makwassie still struggle with a long-standing issue of water shortage, relying on manholes for daily needs
The Maquassi Hills Municipality has blamed the pipe burst for persistent water challenges in the area
The municipality said, the issue has been reported to the water supplier, Magalies Water
Residents say, the water problem doesn't start now, it has been an issue for several years
"The water problem doesn't start now, it has been an ongoing issue for quite a number of years" - Lebaleng resident
Taps are continuing to run dry for long periods. Residents said, to survive, they rely on use of dirty water from the manholes in their area
"We are used to drawing water from manholes, we don't have adequate water supply from our yards, we do have water connections, but some of us don't have taps. We draw water from manholes for laundry, for boiling in order to drink or have medication with the water we boil" - Lebaleng resident
Other residents are concern about their health as the water is not safe for consumption
"Since 2021, we have been struggling with water. Even now, water trucks come in our area whenever they feel like, they don't bring water on regular basis. Many of us queue for water while others don't receive a drop due to a large number of people who queue for water, drivers of these trucks would promise to come back for those who haven't received a drop but they don't stick to their promise" - Lebaleng resident
The community believes that, water trucks don't deliver water to them because there are certain people they pour water for because they receive bribes while they don't get water because of that
• Lavine community in Maquassi Hills has been recognised by the provincial government by rendering services they need. Lavin is yet another area within the municipality to be disadvantaged by social factors
The Ward 05 Councilor David Modisadife led the service delivery initiative under the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Program in Lavine
The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, saw the handover of essential gardening tools and seedlings to local residents, empowering them to embark on sustainable food production
The initiative, which took place few days ago, was marked by a strong sense of unity and purpose as Councilor Modisadife actively participated in the planting of trees alongside, Mimo Nobatana from the Office of the Premier, officials from the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality's Traffic and Fire, Departments of Agriculture and the community members
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Join us every weekend morning on The Weekend Rise as we journal down news that leads in our diary, we keep a close distance into the eye of stories making headlines across areas of Maquassi Hills
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