27 October 2024- A man (43) was sentenced to life sentence by the Victoria West High Court for killing his partner, Dina Nosipho Matyobeni (46). The accused, Xolani Gerald Pherndro Bilatyi reported the murder to the police in Victoria West on 9 September 2023, who accompanied him to Modderpoel Farm, outside Victoria West.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said upon investigation, police discovered that the floor was wet and found a brick and a broken mop hidden. Shemane said they also noticed that the crime scene had been tampered with.
“The accused was subsequently arrested and charged with the murder of his partner. Further investigation revealed that on 8 September 2023, the accused and the deceased went to a shebeen in Victoria West, and on their return to their residence in Modderpoel, an argument ensued.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded D/Sgt Mojalefa Ignatius Mokitimi, who through his efforts secured the hefty sentence and ensured justice for the victim of this heinous offence was served.
27 October 2024– The African champions, Banyana Banyana arrived in Coventry, United Kingdom (UK), on Saturday night after a full day of traveling from Aalborg in Denmark. The Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s national team landed in London in the afternoon and then travelled another two hours by road to Coventry, where Tuesday’s friendly international match against European champions England will be played.
Coventry is a city in central England and is known for the medieval Coventry Cathedral, which was left in ruins after a bombing during World War II.
Banyana Banyana international players, Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo, Sinoxolo Cesane and Hilda Magaia, joined the team on arrival. Coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ team will start preparing for the clash against the Lionesses on 27 October 2024, the first day of daylight saving in the United Kingdom.
27 October 2024- The ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa said they have reached the conclusion of an important and constructive meeting of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC). Ramaphosa said the meeting focused on issues of renewal of the ANC and how they should promote integrity and ethical conduct in the ranks of the ANC.
He further said the NEC adopted a comprehensive programme of renewal and rebuilding of the organisation that will be rolled out over the next eighteen months. Ramaphosa added that, at the centre of renewal, is to return their organisation to its historical mission of service to the people and their collective quest to build a better life for all South Africans.
“Therefore, the NEC has resolved that we will focus our branches, our public representatives and our leadership at local, regional, provincial and national level on the immediate tasks of the National Democratic Revolution as set out in our manifesto.
“Accordingly, we must continue the transformation of our country to create work and opportunity, to end poverty and hunger, and to ensure that all South Africans, men, women and children are able to live in peace and safety,” he said.
Ramaphosa said they are implementing jobs and plan to put more South Africans to work. He said they are building the industries, developing infrastructure and investing in an inclusive economy.
“We are taking a number of steps to tackle the high cost of living, investing in our people and improving the provision of affordable water and electricity. We are working to defend democracy and advance the freedom we fought for, and continue to build a better Africa and a better world.
“The NEC’s deliberations on rebuilding our organisation culminated in a practical roadmap to rebuild the organisation from the ground up so that we have branches with active members and quality of cadreship to advance the tasks of our revolution,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they have always said the strength of the ANC lies in its footprint in every ward throughout the length and breadth of the country. Ramaphosa said this is borne out by the fact that despite their electoral setback in 2024, the ANC still commands an outright majority in over 14 000 of the 23 000 voting districts in the country.
“We decided that our renewal programme focus on rebuilding branches to become vibrant and activist branches, with clear programmes of action that address the tasks of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
“In doing this, we are guided by the words of Amilcar Cabral, who famously asserted in 1965 that: “We must always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone’s head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children.”
He said this in his well-known treatise: “Tell no lies, claim no easy victories”. Ramaphosa said accordingly, the NEC resolved that the programme to build ANC branches must ground them in the everyday struggles of ordinary South Africans to overcome poverty and inequality and create inclusive local economic development and jobs in communities.
27 October 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they will address concerns over a tavern near Boitshoko Secondary School Incubation Camp in Mahikeng. Motsumi said this was discovered following her unannounced visit to the incubation camp on Sunday.
She further expressed concern over the proximity and noise levels of a nearby tavern. She added that parents and teachers, who were there during Motsumi’s visit, also raised their concerns regarding the tavern’s location, which is closer to the school’s incubation camp than permitted by law.
“In accordance with the Liquor Act, liquor establishments must maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from schools. However, the tavern’s current location has raised concerns about safety and the learning environment, particularly as matric candidates focus on their final examinations.
“We have tasked senior departmental officials to facilitate a meeting with stakeholders on 28 October 2024. This meeting will include representatives from the school, the community, and the tavern owner to collaboratively explore solutions that balance community standards with the legislative requirements set forth by the Liquor Act,” said Motsumi.
She added that the safety and focus of the learners are paramount, especially during this critical examination period. Motsumi said they are committed to finding an amicable solution that respects both the rights of business owners and the well-being of our candidates.
“Our proactive approach underscores the department’s commitment to addressing community concerns and ensuring that learning spaces are conducive to academic success,” she said.
Picture: One of the suspects nabbed during Operation Vala Umgodi/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
27 October 2024- Two men aged 35 and 42 were arrested for illegal mining and trespassing during Operation Vala Umgodi on Thursday. The operational teams of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF), allegedly followed up on intelligence-driven information from Ekapa mine security personnel, regarding illegal mining activities taking place on the mine premises in Kenilworth, Kimberley.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said the information was tactically operationalised by both SAPS and SANDF. Pilane said the suspects allegedly tried to flee, but they were successfully arrested.
“Mining equipment believed to be used in the commission of crime, a vehicle as well as suspected diamond bearing rocks were confiscated.
“On 26 October 2024, a man (57), was arrested and issued with a fine for the contravention of the Liquor Act, at the Samaria Informal Settlement in Kimberley after he was found to be trading with liquor illegally,” she said.
Pilane further said a significant amount of alcohol was confiscated and the shebeen was closed down. She added that the Operation Vala Umgodi team will continue with a zero tolerance approach to address illicit mining and related crimes in the province.
Picture: Some of the items confiscated during the raid/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
27 October 2027- More than 252 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela. The multi-disciplinary teams inspected numerous liquor outlets of which 21 unlicensed outlets were closed for non-compliance.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said through high visibility vehicle and foot patrols and stop and search actions, 3131 vehicles and 6375 persons were stopped and searched at vehicle check points (VCPs) and at roadblocks across the province.
“The suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor, burglaries at residential and business premises, malicious damage to property, assaults, robberies, dealing in drugs and possession of dangerous weapons.
“The compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand dealers and liquor premises, as well as formal and informal businesses, farms, scrapyards,” he said.
Shemane further said during the weekly execution of the operation, police confiscated counterfeit goods, dangerous weapons, firearms and ammunition, alcoholic beverages, drugs and cash. He added that various community outreach programmes were held in conjunction with community policing structures in the districts.
“The police have tightened its grip on crime in the province by securing the arrest of 252 suspects throughout the five districts from 21 until 27 October 2024,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded all the force levels in conjunction with other departments in the execution of the operations and thanked the public for their efforts in the fight against crime.
Picture: A contaminated water in a canal in Hartswater
By REGINALD KANYANE
27 October 2024- Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo has fervently called on municipalities that are discharging raw sewage into water courses to take a decisive action and tackle their municipal waste water infrastructure challenges in order to address the widespread problem of pollution in rivers and streams.
Seitlholo met with different stakeholders and the Executive Mayors of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati in North West and Francis Baard and Pixley ka Seme District Municipalities in Northern Cape, whose waste water systems discharge effluent into the rivers, where the recent cholera bacteria were detected in raw water.
He further said the department recently issued a warning about the presence of cholera bacteria in raw water along Harts and Vaal rivers following a routine raw water sampling at five monitoring sites, Wentzel Dam, Schweizer Reneke, Christiana, Barkley West Caravan Park, and Douglas Weir in September 2024.
Seitlholo added that municipalities along the Lower Vaal catchment in North West and Northern Cape, discharge raw sewage into the river, with Gauteng being the main culprit with a discharge of about 160 million litres daily into the water courses in the Middle Vaal catchment.
“We have released the latest results on the follow-up tests, which were taken after the previous warning was issued. The results of the second tests have revealed that the cholera bacteria (Vibrio Cholerae) were still present in the raw water, however it was a non-toxic strain.
“There are two types of strains of cholera. One that occurs in the environment (non-toxic) and the other known as an enterotoxigenic strain that produces cholera toxin that can cause gastrointestinal illness,” he said.
Seitlholo said the strain detected is not responsible for causing gastrointestinal illness. He said, however, urged water users to continue to be cautious around the raw water and the affected municipalities to also continue taking extra care in the water treatment process, disinfection and chlorination of the water in their water supply systems.
He reiterated the importance of ensuring that effluent that is being discharged into rivers by municipalities and industries should be that of required standards in line with the National Water Act.
“Municipalities are at the forefront of representing the interests of South Africans in their area of jurisdiction. Together, we need to change the mindset of normalising discharging raw sewage into our rivers and get back to basics of not allowing sewer to get into dams, river systems or any water resource.
“That is the standard that all of us should strive towards,” he said.
Picture: Expired food confiscated by police/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
October 2024- Two suspects aged between 22 and 44 respectively, were arrested by the Brits Visible Policing and Pretoria West Detectives for Contravention of Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No. 58 of 1962), Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (Act No. 68 of 2008), Food Stuffs Cosmetics & Disinfectant Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972) Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) and Counterfeit Goods Act, 1997 (Act No. 37 of 1997) 24 October 2024.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Birgadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the Pretoria West Detectives were following up leads after arresting a man delivering expired food stuffs he allegedly bought in Brits. Mokgwabone said they teamed up with the local Visible Policing members and proceeded to a warehouse at industrial sites, where they found the owner, a South African and his undocumented employee from Malawi.
“The pair was allegedly found manufacturing food items on three separate machines. Furthermore, the police detected boxes containing seasoning spices, which expired in July 2022. The members also discovered five x 20 Litres of expired peanut butter, as well as macaroni, pasta, spaghetti and a variety of spices.
“The owner was requested to prove the legitimacy of his business, but failed to do that. As a result, Bojanala District Municipality Health Services officials were summoned to the scene and they later confirmed that some of the products had expired and cannot be consumed,” he said.
Mokgwabone said the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) processed the scene, which the District Municipality Health Services sealed for further investigation. He added that, as part of investigation, the owner’s laptop was seized.
“The suspects are expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 28 October 2024. The discovery comes amid an outcry regarding treatment and admission of children to hospitals in various parts of the country due to apparent poor hygiene, food handling practices and alleged unsafe production of certain counterfeit food items and suspected food poisoning,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Commercial Crime is investigating in conjunction with other departments and entities in accordance with the operational directives.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrest. Kwena indicated that different role players under the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PPROVJOINTS), with the Department of Health taking the lead, are ready to deal with issues pertaining to food safety.
27 October 2024- The House Chairperson for Committees and Oversight in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Dennis Ryder, commended the excellent and successful oversight visits undertaken by the NCOP Select Committees during Oversight Week. The Oversight Week, which took place from 21 to 25 October 2024, is an annual feature of the NCOP programme and a critical mechanism for Select Committees to conduct physical visits to government departments, entities, and services.
Ryder said the NCOP Select Committees undertook oversight visits to five provinces to, amongst others, monitor service delivery progress at various care facilities for older people across the Western Cape and attend to a petition to declare areas with sinkholes as national disaster zones.
He further said this includes observing the work of the Border Management Agency at the Beit Bridge border post and visiting various municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. Ryder added that the committees remain the engine room of the NCOP, and physical oversight allows for better interrogation and understanding of issues than presentations given in a committee room.
“Oversight visits create a far more personal engagement with the realities on the ground, empowering Members of Parliament) MP to hold the executive to account and assist the executive in identifying challenges and providing evidence-based solutions.
“During oversight week, the Select Committee on Security and Justice, visited the newly constituted Border Management Agency at the country’s Beitbridge Border post in Limpopo. It concluded with visits to the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court and Police Station,” said Ryder.
He added that in the neighbouring province of Gauteng, the Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings, visited Carletonville on the West Rand to ascertain the impact and devastation caused by sinkholes. Ryder said the visit stems from a petition submitted to the NCOP by a resident.
“The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries was also in Gauteng to conduct oversight over six schools.
“This preceded a presentation and interactive engagement with the provincial department of education on various challenges, including the infrastructure backlog, impending budget cuts, sanitation and eradication of pit latrines, and the status of the National School Nutrition Programme,” he said.
Ryder said in the Cape Winelands and Cape Metro Districts in the Western Cape, the Select Committee on Social Services visited various care facilities for older people. He said this programme comes at a crucial time when the Older Persons Amendment Bill.
“This is a piece of legislation geared towards improving the monitoring and evaluation of all services to older persons, as well as tightening up current implementation and compliance measures, is currently with all nine provincial legislatures who are conducting public participation sessions on the Bill.
“The Select Committees on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources, and Economic Development and Trade held a joint oversight week programme across the Free State province, which explored the support received by Communal Property Associations from various national government departments,” said Ryder.
He said the joint visit also conducted oversight on SanParks, a Special Economic Zone in Maluti-a-Phofung municipality, the Post Office in Bethlehem, and the Department of Employment and Labour. Ryder said the committee heard, amongst others, that the park has become a corridor for highly organised criminal syndicates involved in the transportation of stolen cattle and horses from neighbouring commercial farms into Lesotho.
“This issue extends beyond the park’s boundaries, adversely impacting local communities and agricultural operations. Another joint oversight programme was conducted by the Select Committees on Public Works and Infrastructure and the Minister in the Presidency, and Cooperative Governance and Public Administration, which included engagements with internal and external stakeholders on the constitutional, procedural and substantive process of section 139 interventions in the Zululand District and Umzumbe Local municipalities.
“This includes the assessment of national, provincial and local governments on social, economic and transport infrastructure in the Ugu District, Umzumbe Local, Umdoni Local, and the eThekwini Metro municipalities,” he said.
Ryder said these oversight visits are critical to the overall functioning of the NCOP in fulfilling its mandate of elevating provincial and local government issues to the national sphere of government. He said members have now seen for themselves the realities facing South Africans.
“The NCOP remains a unique institution envisaged in our constitution, where it brings together local, provincial and national governments in a cooperative manner to identify intergovernmental challenges and carve the way for solutions, embodying the provisions of chapter three of the Constitution, and working towards a government that operates seamlessly, with all functions working in tandem.
“The findings of each visit will be recorded to direct and inform the committee’s work going forward. This will ensure the visits result in meaningful discussions and resolutions on challenges,” said Ryder.
27 October 2024- An alleged extortionist (20) was arrested by the members of Provincial Anti-Gang Unit for robbery aggravating in Womaranstad on 26 October 2024. It is alleged that the suspect and two other men armed with pangas, went to a supermarket construction site in Wolmaranstad on 6 October 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the trio allegedly intimidated and demanded money from the employees. Mokgwabone said the suspects then allegedly searched and robbed two employees of their R800 and R150 respectively, and fled.
“The matter was reported to the police and upon receiving the case on 26 October 2024, members of Anti-Gang expedited investigation, which resulted in the arrest. The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a member of a gang known as Mathinta.
“The gang members allegedly target contactors, employees at construction sites, tuck shops, as well as members of the community, among others demanding protection fees and committing robberies,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said investigation into the matter, including the tracing of the remaining suspects continues. He added that the police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the suspect to other cases.
The suspect is expected to briefly appear in Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for the success. Kwena pointed out that those who rob or request for money or services without a legitimate reason from the public, communities and businesses, will be dealt with harshly.
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