By REGINALD KANYANE

7 July 2026 – The diligent investigative work of the Prieska Detectives has resulted in the successful conviction and sentencing of Charlton Pieterse (25) for murder.

Pieterse was convicted and sentenced by the Prieska Regional Court to 10 years imprisonment.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. Shemane said the conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 21 December 2024, at approximately 08:30, at an informal settlement in Prieska.

“The deceased, Nathan Pienaar (21), was walking to a nearby shop with a friend when they were approached by the accused. Without any apparent provocation or altercation, Pieterse stabbed Pienaar once in the chest with an Okapi knife, fatally wounding him.

“The accused fled the scene, but was arrested later the same day. He was released on bail pending the finalisation of the case, which concluded with his conviction and sentencing in the Prieska Regional Court on 23 June 2026,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Management commended Detective Constable Francois Mei of the Prieska Detectives for his professional investigation, dedication and commitment in ensuring that a violent offender was successfully brought to justice and removed from society.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 July 2026 – The North West Department of Social Development has acted swiftly to find accommodation for an elderly man, who was shown on various social media platform in desperate need of shelter and warmth. The department said Madibeng-based social workers managed to track down an old man, who identified himself as Michael from Tlhatlhaganyane, near Rustenburg.

North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie said:“We are elated that our elderly has been removed from the freezing streets to a warm bed at our old age home in Sonop.

“We hold dear our elderly and highly appreciate our team in Sonop, who upon seeing the video acted very fast.  Our thanks also went to those who flighted the plight of our elderly.”  

Dankie further said this is how social media should be used positively to build society. She added that she is pleased to note that ubuntu can still finds its way through these platforms.

“The social workers have not rested after accommodating the elder, they are hard at work, trying to locate and reunite him with his family at Tlhatlhaganyane.

“We call on families and community members to take care of the elderly and report their abuse with social workers and law enforcement agencies,” she said.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

7 Phukwi 2026- Monna wa dingwaga di le 21 o atlholetswe botshelo jotlhe kwa kgolegelong ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Atamelang. Go begwa fa Monnapula Abel Lobese a ile a betelela mosetsanyana wa dingwaga di le 15 fa kgwedi ya Phukwi e ne e tlhola matsatsi a le 19 ka ngwaga wa 2019.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Captain Majang Skalkie, motswasetlhabelo o ne a tsamaya le tsala ya gagwe go ya kwa garage ya peterolo (Filling Station) kwa Setlagole fa ba ne ba kgorogelwa ke Lobese. Skalkie are Lobese o ile a ba tshosetsa ka thipa, mme ba leka go tshaba.

“Lobese o ile a tshwara motswasetlhabelo le go mo gogela kwa ntlung nngwe ya letlotla kwa a ileng a mo betelela gone.

“Kgetsi ya petelelo e ne ya bulwa, Mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go tshwarweng ga ga Lobese. Kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Atamelang, e ile ya bona Lobese molato le go mo atlholela botshelo jotlhe kwa kgolegelong,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, Mokomishinara wa nakwana mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Major General Rayno Naidoo o akgotse mmatlisisi wa kgetsi, Detective Sergeant Modisaotsile Otto ka tiro e manontlhotlho e a e dirileng mabapi le go batlisisa kgetsi e. Naidoo are sepodisi se tlile go dira mmogo le lephata la bosekisi mabapi le go lwa kgatlhanong le tshotlakako ya bong.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

6 July 2026 – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has successfully opposed a bail application based on alleged new facts brought by Janitha van Reenen Coetzee (25) in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court. Coetzee faces a charge of fraud involving approximately R424 000, allegedly defrauded from the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

The NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Tshegofatso Makhudu said it is alleged that the accused misrepresented herself as an independent agent capable of assisting residents in obtaining discounts on outstanding municipal accounts. Makhudu said the victims allegedly paid her money to make discounted payments to the municipality on their behalf.

“However, the funds were allegedly never paid over to the municipality. The accused also allegedly submitted claims to the municipality on behalf of the victims. It is further alleged that the municipality paid approximately R424 000 to the accused, which was never paid to the intended beneficiaries.

“The alleged fraud was uncovered when the then Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Emfuleni Local Municipality, Martha Mani Rantsofu, who has since passed away, identified suspicious claims amounting to approximately R424 000 and reported the matter to her manager,” she said.

Makhudu further said following an internal investigation, the municipality reported the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. She added that during the bail proceedings, the state, represented by prosecutor Moses Raditsela, opposed the application and argued that the accused posed a flight risk because her residential address could not be properly verified due to inconsistencies regarding her place of residence.

“The state further submitted that no genuine new facts had been presented to the court, as the issues raised had already been considered and addressed during the previous bail application. It argued that releasing the accused on bail would not be in the interests of justice.

“In delivering judgment, the magistrate agreed with the state’s submissions and found that the information presented by the accused did not constitute new facts. The court further held that it would not be in the interests of justice to release the accused on bail,” said Makhudu.

She said consequently, the bail application based on new facts was dismissed. Makhudu said the matter was postponed to 23 July 2026, for further investigation.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

6 July 2026 – The management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West has noted the circulation of a social media video containing allegations relating to the Station Commander of Cyferskuil and the policing of undocumented migrants within the Cyferskuil policing area. The SAPS wishes to categorically reject the false and unsubstantiated allegation that the Station Commander is collecting money from undocumented migrants as a “protection fee”.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said at this stage, there is no information or evidence available to substantiate these claims. Skalkie said regarding the events referred to in the video, the Station Commander addressed members of the community in the presence of a local councillor after concerns were raised about intended actions against undocumented migrants.

“During the engagement, the Station Commander appealed to community members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and not to conduct house-to-house actions aimed at forcibly removing undocumented migrants. The community accepted this appeal and no such action took place.

“SAPS also wishes to clarify that the allegation that a truck transported and offloaded undocumented migrants into areas within the Cyferskuil policing precinct is false. No such incident has been reported or verified,” she said.

Skalkie further said, there was no incident reported that indicated that undocumented migrants voluntarily left the area.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, urges members of the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media, as the dissemination of false information can create unnecessary panic, damage reputations and undermine public confidence in law enforcement. Naidoo encourages anyone with credible information regarding criminal conduct or corruption to report it through the appropriate official channels so that it can be investigated.

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