28 February 2025- A man (28) sentenced to 52 years by the Mothibistad Regional Court for murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, arson and contravention of Immigration act. The accused, Thabang Lesenyeho was found guilty on all charges.
On 18 June 2023, the police in Batlharos, received a complaint of a house that was burning in Maruping village. Upon arrival at the homestead, the lifeless body of Joseph Dithupe was found lying in a pool of blood in one of the half-burned rooms, with a stab wound on his upper body.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said it was later discovered that some of the house hold items, including sound system, a television set, a cell phone and clothes belonging to the victim were missing. Pilane said Lesenyeho was arrested later on with the assistance of community members.
“Some of the stolen items were recovered. The accused was also found wearing the deceased’s clothes. Lesenyeho was found guilty on all charges, and he was sentenced to 52 years imprisonment.
“The court further ordered that the accused be declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and her management, welcomed the conviction and appropriate sentence.
Otola applauded Warrant Officer Eunice Ngono and Constable Mpumelelo Maruping from the Provincial Serious and Organized Crime Investigation unit for their hard work and dedication and securing a significant conviction.
28 February 2025– The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities said it has concluded its interviews of the 20 shortlisted candidates to fill vacancies at the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board on Thursday. The committee conducted the interviews over three days and the interviews were live-streamed on Parliament TV and social media platforms.
However, on the last day of the interviews, one candidate withdrew from the process.
The Committee Chairperson, Liezl van der Merwe made the announcement and informed the other committee members that Bongani Bhengu has withdrawn his name and will no longer participate in the process, citing a recent promotion at work. Van der Merwe thanked all the candidates who made themselves available for the process.
“The interviewed applicants reflected a diverse demographic, in line with the NYDA’s mandate to represent South Africa’s demographics and geography. Last year, the committee received 1412 applications for the vacancies.
“The committee will deliberate on all the candidates and prepare a report with the committee’s recommendations, which will be sent to the National Assembly and ultimately the President to make the final selection of the seven NYDA board members,” she said.
28 February 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Friday, applauded the recent conviction of four men found guilty for the brutal murder of two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, Constable Simon Ntsekeletsa (50) and Sergeant Mojalefa Molete (42) in Mareetsane village, outside Mahikeng.
The civil society led body advocating for ethical, moral leadership and accountability called for stiffer sentences for the culprits found guilty of multiple charges, including stock theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of murder, defeating the ends of justice, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said, they trust that the court will send an unambiguous message that the killing of the police, who are the last defence. Kgwele said the police are the protectors of the communities against senseless violent crime and threatening them is not only a heinous crime, but a despicable and abhorrent crime that undermines the authority of the state.
“The accused persons are expected to be sentenced in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng on 7 March 2025. If such barbaric acts are not dealt with harshly and decisively to serve as a strong deterrent, it could see communities slide towards anarchy and lawlessness.
“The Ntsekeletsa and Molete families will only find closure knowing that their loved ones did not die in vain when justice concomitant with the severity of the heartless crimes is served,” he said.
Kgwele further said nothing short of a harsher and befitting sentence will send a resounding message of zero tolerance to police killings, as well as restore public confidence in the criminal justice system. He added that, Benjamin Kemeels Jacobs (45) Gaorekwe Jeremiah Mongale (28), Rapula George Keaikitse (27) and Matthews Modukanele(23), murdered the two officers in cold blood without any regard for the sanctity of their lives.
“Such callous and heinous acts undermine community values, and the spirit of Ubuntu that should characterise safer and economically viable communities envisaged by the rural safety strategy.
“The conviction stem from a tragic incident on 25 July 2021, when the officers stopped a vehicle carrying 18 goats. The court established that the occupants failed to provide a valid permit for transporting the livestock and were instructed to follow the officers to the police station,” said Kgwele.
He said on the way, the suspects’ vehicle experienced mechanical issues, prompting them to ask the officers for assistance. Kgwele said as one of the officers attempted to secure a tow rope, the suspects attacked both officers with harmers, restrained them with a rope, and tossed the injured pair into the back of the police van.
“They were later found burnt beyond recognition when the vehicle discovered at Mosita Wildlife Farm, near Vryburg. The police investigations led to the arrest of three of the accused at a residence in Logageng village, where a Z88 police service pistol with nine live rounds was also recovered hidden under a mattress.
“The fifth accused said to be the son to accused number one who was 16 years old at the time, turned state witness and provided crucial testimony that assisted the prosecution,” he said.
Setshwantsho: Banna ba le bararo ba tshwerwe mabapi le dinku tsa bogodu
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
28 Tlhakole 2025- Banna ba ke bararo ba ba nang le dingwaga di le 60, 37, ga mmogo le 38, ba tshwerwe morago ga go fitlhelwa ka leruo le go belaelwang ele la bogodu kwa motseng wa Magojaneng, gaufi le Kuruman. Go begwa fa ka di 27 Tlhakole 2025, sepodisi se ile sa amogela pegelo mabapi le leruo la bogodu le le beilweng kwa ntlung nngwe.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo porofenseng ya Kapa Bokone, mokaptein Nomvuyo Makoloi are, sepodisi se ile sa bona sejanaga se se neng se belaelwa fa se pegile leruo la bogodu, mme ba se baya marebele. Makoloi are, sepodisi se ile sa sala banna ba morago go fitlhela kwa lefelong le leneng le belaelwa kwa motseng wa Seoding.
“Fela ka maswabi, go ne ga begwa fa banna bao ba fetsa go tsamaya, enile ba pegile nku ele nngwe mo sejanageng seo sa modiro wa Isuzu. Go begwa fa sepodisi se se dirang ka leruo, se ile sa letsetswa, mme ba ile ba fitlhelela sejanaga seo kwa Bankhara Bodulong. Banna bao, ba ile ba fitlhelwa ka nku ele nngwe, mme ba botsolotswa.
“Go begwa fa sepodisi se ile sa ba tsaya le go leba kwa legaeng la mongwe wa ba belaelwa kwa ntlung nngwe kwa motseng wa Magojaneng. Go begwa fa sepodisi se ile sa fitlhela dinku di le supa di hapilwe ka terata mo ntlung. Mong wa ntlo o ile a palelwa ke go araba gore dinku tseo ke tsa ga mang, le go ntsha boshupi,” Makoloi wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, banna bao, ba ile ba tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka go tshwara ka leruo le go belaelwang fa le utswilwe. Ba solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Mothibistad mo bogautshwaneng.
28 February 2025- The police in Northern Cape hosted the Provincial Sports Day at the 8SAI Army Base in Upington on 27 February 2025. The police said they held the event under the theme: “Get ready to play, cheer and shine”.
According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam, the event commenced early in the morning with a 5km fun run, followed by volleyball, darts, cricket, netball, tug of war, bowls, rugby and soccer. Sam said teams from all five districts in the province participated in the event.
“The acting Provincial Head for Human Resource and Development, Brigadier Gilroy Tait, outlined the purpose of the day and cited that police involvement in sports can positively impact employee performance and commitment to the organisation.
“The event envisaged to encourage members to participate in sports interventions in order to promote SAPS relations with communities,” he said.
The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and ZF Mgcawu District Police Commissioner, Major General Monica Sebili, commenced by congratulating Sergeant Shonnie Pule from Deben Police Station for her remarkable achievement. Pule achieved the 3rd place in the female 42.2km Balwin Pretoria Marathon, as well as all other participants who represented the province on 23 February 2025.
Meanwhile, Sebili pleaded with members to take responsibility for restoring the culture of sports within the SAPS as it is part of the organisation’s wellness programme and promoting healthy lifestyles. She said all members and teams who excelled in their different sporting codes were presented with medals and trophies.
Lieutenant Colonel, Anette Moses, on behalf of the Provincial Organising Committee, thanked all stakeholders, including the ZFM District Office, the South African National Defence Force, the Department of Correctional Services in the District for their hospitality and for supporting the SAPS.
28 February 2025 – The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) said it supports efforts by Eskom and the national government to resolve the growing municipal debt, which contributes to the power utility’s weak balance sheet. The committee said municipalities have an Eskom debt of R94 billion that is overdue.
The Chairperson of the SCOPA, Songezo Zibi said in the current financial year, Eskom is contending with R8.9 billion revenue that cannot be recognised in its balance sheet because municipalities do not have the ability to raise and pay that amount of money. Zibi said this figure increased from R6.3 billion in 2023, and is expected to double by the end of 2025.
“The Eskom Board and management appeared before SCOPA yesterday to respond to the audit outcomes and financial performance of the 2023/24 financial year. They also outlined cost saving measures in the first six months of the 2024/25 financial year as well as future plans.
“The elements of Eskom’s municipal debt elimination proposal in the distribution agency agreement are that Eskom is prepared to freeze collection of the amount in areas if municipalities accept assistance from Eskom with engineering skills, debt collection capacity and improvement of electricity distribution infrastructure.
“This includes that municipalities must stay up to date on their current consumption. If they stay up to date for a year then Eskom will write off 33.3% of the historical debt. They will write off the same amount if the conditions are met in year 2 and year 3, which means all historical debt will have been written off,” he said.
Zibi further said Eskom is recommending that municipalities move to pre-paid metres. He added that Eskom is recommending all municipal electricity revenue be ring-fenced for paying Eskom and maintaining electrical infrastructure.
“Eskom will initially focus on the top 14 defaulting municipalities, representing 58% of overdue municipal debt. Eskom’s financial performance in the first six months of the 2024/25 financial year compared to March 2023, shows a projected profit of R10 billion for 2024/25 financial year.
“Cost saving measures include profit before tax improved from R2.2 billion to R23 billion. Operating profit increased from R20.9 billion in 2023 to R46.3 billion. Revenue increased by 16% from R158.6 billion to R183.7,” said Zibi.
He said Eskom’s net finance costs have decreased from R19.7 billion to R17.8 billion. Zibi said this includes debt securities and borrowings decreased from R412.2 billion in 2023 to R395.3 billion.
“Eskom’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization increased from R37.6 to R61.7 billion. We welcome Eskom’s efforts to improve governance, operational performance and efforts to resolve the municipal debt crisis.
“We also call upon the Department of Electricity and Energy, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and National Treasury to move as fast as possible to implement the plan,” said Zibi.
Picture: The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
28 February 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said it has launched a petition in support for the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality to be placed under Section 139(7) national administration.
The DA Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in North West, Chris Steyl said they formally wrote to the National Minister of Cooperative Governance, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, and President Cyril Ramaphosa on 10 January 2025, requesting that the national government place the Ditsobotla Local Municipality under Section 139(7) national administration to restore service delivery and good governance.
Steyl said since their letter, Ditsobotla residents have had no respite from the endless frustration brought about by extended water and electricity supply disruptions. He further said after the heavy rains, there are more potholes than roads left, and refuse collection remains erratic.
Steyl added that the acting Municipal Manager of Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Rasupang Mooketsi, issued a notice this week that the municipality would again be unable to pay salaries at the end of February 2025.
“If there is no money to pay salaries, then there is no money to purchase parts, tools, and other goods to deliver services and repair and maintain infrastructure. The municipality has a budget deficit of R171 million and owes Eskom more than R1.2 billion.
“Ditsobotla has collapsed. It is only through a National Government intervention under Section 139(7) that Ditsobotla can be stabilised to ensure infrastructure maintenance is conducted and quality basic services are delivered,” he said.
Steyl said their request to the National Government includes, a fully funded financial recovery plan administered by National Treasury, an independent financial forensic audit, an independent skills audit of all management, and lifestyle audits of all elected political office bearers and municipal management. He said this includes disciplinary action to remove compromised politicians and municipal officials from office and prosecution of all individuals complicit in criminal activity.
“We want the recruitment of skilled, qualified, and experienced officials through a fair and transparent process without any political influence. The Asset Forfeiture Unit to recover all losses identified in the forensic audit.
“We ask all Ditsobotla residents to sign the DA’s petition, and we will make sure that their voices are heard inside the Union Buildings,” said Steyl.
Meanwhile, the municipality continues to experience poor service delivery, including shortages of water, lack of electricity, high rate of unemployment and inaccessible roads. The municipality has issued a public notice on Thursday regarding power interruption in some sections of the town since Tuesday and Wednesday.
The municipality spokesperson, Pius Batsile said: “The municipality has been tirelessly tracing the cable fault.
However, we have managed to trace where the cable fault is located and we are working on it to ensure that power supply is restored.
“Areas affected are Civic centre building, FNB, Roman Pizza, Checkers/Dada complex/ Thabo Mbeki, Republic Street, Buchanan, Burger Street, Daniel Street, Mathews Street, Pretorius Street, Lovedale Street, Correctional Services, Lagos and surrounding areas.”
Batsile said furthermore, it is also of importance for residents to take note that the municipality is still busy addressing the cause of power failure in the Retiefspark and Waterworks Sections. He said any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.
27 February 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said the State of the Province Address (SOPA) sets the tone for the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP-2025-2030) in the next five years. Mokgosi said the MTDP is anchored on three strategic priorities such as driving inclusive growth and creating jobs.
He further said this includes, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living as well as building a cable, ethical and developmental state. Mokgosi added that to achieve these objectives, a government that works for the people is needed.
“We need a state that is capable and competent, underpinned by a professional public service. South Africans want a state that treats all people with dignity, humility and respect.
“A state with leaders who are prepared to serve our people with complete dedication, and public servants who are ethical, skilled and properly qualified. The 2025 SOPA is a culmination of a broader consultative process with various stakeholders to find consensus on matters of socio-economic concern confronting the province,” he said.
Mokgosi said they are concerned about the high levels of unemployment and poverty confronting the communities. He said they are a province endowed with natural resources such as minerals and weather conditions that permit a conducive environment for agriculture to thrive, as well as majestic tourist attraction sites that they must exploit to create economic opportunities for the people.
“The recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey, where our province shed 20 000 jobs, putting the expanded unemployment rate at 52%, must galvanize and unite all of us to tackle these issues, head on.
“Therefore, aggressive measures are needed to find solutions to these challenges. The provincial treasury will be seized with the responsibility to develop a framework and regulations that speaks to localization through Supply Chain Management Policies related to the new Public Procurement Act without obstructing the country’s Constitutional imperatives,” said Mokgosi.
He said his government has so far garnered investments of R9 billion by Harmony Gold and China Africa Precious Metals in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality. Mokgosi said these investments have collectively created and preserved 10 000 jobs.
“The Mekgareng Smart City project, which is a collaborative development initiative between the North West and Gauteng, coordinated by the national Department of Human Settlements, will create 20 000 jobs for the people of Madibeng Local Municipality.
“The project is estimated to attract investments of between R10 billion and R25 billion rands. We have allocated R24 million to establish a Development Fund to accelerate development initiatives across the province,” he said.
Mokgosi said this will be done with a special focus to stimulate economic growth and create sustainable job opportunities. He said the work of the Economic and Investment Advisory Council is beginning to yield desired results.
“The Council is responsible for assisting the province to drive its industrialization programme, lure investments and see to the full implementation of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS).
“We envisage to establish a Regional Research, Innovation and Development Office, which will be in, and coordinated by, the Office of the Premier with a specific focus on Science, Technology and Engineering,” said Mokgosi.
He said they have also partnered with the South African Defense Force (SANDF) and Phila Jordan Academy (Pty) Ltd to provide training opportunities to 3000 beneficiaries in artisanal and tooling programmes, through the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) Pilot Programme, which is a SANDF-led National Youth Service (NYS) programme. Mokgosi said this initiative is aimed at providing training skills programmes, through refurbishment of government buildings by young people, as well as providing incubation, mentorship, and market access support to youth-led enterprises.
“Furthermore, more than 1200 young people are participating in a National Youth Service Programme at the Departments of Public Works and Roads, Human Settlements, Social Development, and Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation.
“In addition to the aforementioned figure, a further 7000 young people were provided with skills to enter the job market and placed in various job opportunities. Moreover, more than 5000 youth owned enterprises were supported with financial and non-financial business development interventions by supporting their entrepreneurial skills through the NYDA Grant Programme,” he said.
Mokgosi said more than 3000 young people have been exposed to various employment opportunities as ambassadors of One Stop Centres, SMME development through the Empowerment Fund and as tourism monitors across the province. He said the province will collaborate with the Department of Small Business Development to accelerate government programs to revitalise village and township economies.
“As a province, we will drive this partnership through the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) and relevant national entities to realize this objective,”SAID Mokgosi.
28 February 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) caucus in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) has welcomed measures announced by the North West Premier, Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi, in his 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered on Thursday to stimulate rural economies through infrastructure development in order to tackle unemployment and create the much-needed jobs.
The ANC Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature, Motlalepula Rosho on behalf of the caucus said, the SOPA pronouncements give them hope that the revitalisation of village and township economies will translate into empowerment programmes for the benefit of the mostly young people burdened by joblessness in order to defuse the ticking time-bomb of youth unemployment.
“Mokgosi was frank in acknowledging challenges facing communities and outlining a responsive Programme of Action (POA) to address them and accelerate service delivery.
“We welcome the collaboration between the provincial government and private sector to unlock expertise and funds to leverage needed investment to finance productive economic infrastructure, such as roads and water infrastructure,” she emphasised.
Rosho further said the 7thadministration’s relentless pursuit of restoring institutions, dismantling corruption, and spearheading economic recovery demands unequivocal commendation and support. She added that the ANC caucus commends the provincial government’s efforts to rebuild as well as expand the economy and create a virtuous cycle of investment, growth and jobs for the unemployed that she identified as a top priority.
“The ANC stands undeterred in its commitment to safeguard the hard-won gains of democracy and propelling the province of the North West towards a future defined by opportunity and equality.
“The objective and resolve to change the agricultural landscape through sustainable development of historically marginalised farmers will go towards financial inclusion and economic growth in the sector,” said Rosho.
She said progress in negotiating the acquisition of water sources with stakeholders and the establishment of professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities for water services to assist in ensuring that there can be adequate provision and maintenance of this public service, which is essential to the survival of our communities.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Feddy Sonakile said: “During the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in the North West Provincial Legislature yesterday, Mokgosi once again delivered a speech loaded with empty promises and a total lack of vision. Saying a lot without saying much at all.
“As expected, Mokgosi is still stuck on the same track as all his predecessors, with no new, innovative plans to restore the economy. Speaking of donations, schemes, and programs, holding the residents hostage as they remain dependent on the government due to unemployment.”
Sonakile said Mokgosi mentioned thousands of jobs through Expanded Public Works, Community Health Workers, and Community Works and Labour Activation Units. He asked where are these jobs, as this province has the highest unemployment rate in the country?
“Merely duplicating the hollow promises from previous SOPAs clearly indicates that this province has seen no progress over the last few years and fosters no confidence in the future of North West.
“The Premier bragged about two improved municipalities, Bojanala and Dr Kenneth Kaunda, but there was no mention of the plan to rescue the other 20 municipalities that remain stagnant and keep regressing,” said Sonakile.
He said many of the municipalities in the North West face total collapse. Sonakile said yesterday’s speech was nothing, but a smokescreen for an incompetent and incapable North West government that does not really care about the residents as much as they do their own pockets.
27 February 2025- Three men were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for attempted murder and 10 years imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act by the Bafokeng Regional Court in Rustenburg. The accused, Rapula Solomon Ramadikela (34), Kefiloe Victor Tsoloane (36), and Dumisane Matejwana Ndaba (22), were found guilty for the murder of Jeremiah Sello Hamel (45) and the attempted murder of Koketso Thakadu and Neo Liteli (both 19).
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said the convictions stem from an incident on 16 February 2023, in Freedom Park, Rustenburg. Gunya said evidence presented in court revealed that Hamel was driving a Ford Ranger with two passengers when a separate altercation unfolded near a local tavern.
“Koketso Thakadu, one of the victims, became agitated upon seeing his girlfriend speaking with a Quantum taxi driver outside the tavern. Acting out of jealousy and anger, Thakadu threw liquor bottles at the taxi, damaging its windows.
“The taxi driver, Solomon Ramadikela, later gathered his associates, Tsoloane and Ndaba, and conspired to retaliate against the individuals in the Ford Ranger. At approximately 3am, the accused tracked down the Ford Ranger and blocked it using two Quantum taxis,” he said.
Gunya further said Ramadikela approached the driver’s side while Tsoloane targeted the passenger’s side. Hamel was shot and died at the scene. He added that, the two passengers, Thakadu and Liteli, managed to escape while being fired upon.
“Following police investigations and informant leads, all three accused were arrested. The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, the court found sufficient evidence to convict them.
During sentencing, state prosecutor, Sangweni Zimema, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, emphasising the alarming increase in murder cases. Magistrate Segakweng Moeng concurred, ruling that two of the accused acted in common purpose.
Gunya said the court sentenced Ramadikela and Tsoloane to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for attempted murder (sentences to run concurrently). He said Ndaba was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
“The court further ordered his deportation to Lesotho upon completion of his sentence,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, welcoming the sentences, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the investigative and prosecution teams for their dedication.
“We stand united in our resolve to ensure justice is served. Violent crimes will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will face the full force of the law,” she said.
The Guardian 