Daily Archives: February 14, 2025

Community Safety Forum Launched

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Picture: Community members during the launch/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 February 2025- The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management together with the Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality and other stakeholders, have officially launched the Community Safety Forum (CSF) on the 13 February 2025. The work of the forum is to coordinate government entities, private organisations and community structures to effectively deal with safety issues in a more integrated manner.

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said this was done by realising the objectives of the National Crime Prevention Strategy. Morweng said therefore, addressing the needs of the community, effectively closing gaps within a society and isolating criminals.

Morweng further described the activation of the forum as a commitment by government to address crime on all fronts.

“I am acutely aware of trust deficit that exists between our communities and us as public representatives and the law enforcement agencies, the time is now to rebuild this fragile relationship.

“We request municipalities who are at the coalface of service delivery to play an active role in ensuring CSFs are functioning optimally. This can be done by simply giving the forum adequate support,” said Morweng.

He added that, as has been emphasised many times before, they have entered into a social compact with the communities to ensure they live in a safe environment. Morweng said this social compact calls on all of them to ensure that they collectively create a safe, secure and conducive environment.

“An environment where the elderly can take a brisk walk with no fear, where children can play freely without thinking they may be attacked,where mothers can buy groceries at a local store without fear of being mugged.

“This is the environment people have voted for and this is the environment I am challenging all of us  to ensure it exists within our communities,” he said.

Morweng said the Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality is the second in the Bojanala District to launch a CSF.

Meanwhile, the KgetlhengrivierLocal Municipalitymayor, Thabo Jacobs shared the same sentiments. Jacobs said the partnership offers an opportunity to form a united front on safety matters.

“This is an opportunity to create a community that we have always wanted to create for our people. This occasion marks the beginning of a long and difficult but necessary task of working together to fight crime.

“Creating a safe environment will drive investment into our municipality, bring much needed development and transform the lives of our people,” said Jacobs.

He said the establishment of CSFs at a local municipality level is coordinated through the District Development Model (DDM). Jacobs said this enables a broader and integrated approach with all role players to effectively address service delivery issues.

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More than 17 suspects arrested for evading courts

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Picture: One of suspects nabbed during tracing operations/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

14 February 2025- More than 17 suspects, who have been on the run from the police for various offences such as murder, pointing of firearm, assault GBH, theft, robbery, assault common, and contravention of protection orders, were arrested. The suspects have allegedly been evading court appearances and court orders.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said all suspects were arrested at their respective residences in and around Roodepan. Sam said they will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon.

“The police are encouraging the public to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE online survey to assist the police in improving services.

“Information relating to crime can be reported via the MySAPS App or 08600 10111 and will be treated confidentially,” he said.

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A man who allegedly issued sick notes charged with fraud and corruption

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Picture: Some of the files seized by the police during arrest/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 February 2025- A man (44) was arrested for fraud and corruption on Thursday in Rustenburg. The suspect was arrested during an undercover operation by the Provincial Organised Crime and Commercial Crime Units.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the arrest come after an investigation that commenced at the beginning of the month following a complaint received from a doctor-based in Thulamahashe, Mpumalanga Province, whose fraudulent sick note was presented to the employer in December 2024, by an employee of a private security company.

Myburgh said the ensuing investigation into the matter resulted in the apprehension of the man responsible for issuing of the sick notes.

“During the search, police seized different doctor’s fake sick notes. The suspect is expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court today for fraud and corruption,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General PatrickAsaneng, commended the police for the prompt response, meticulous handling of the matter and subsequent arrest of the suspect for fraud, which is one of the problematic crimes in the Bojanala Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg).

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The Joint Standing Committee on Defence calls for probe regardingthe deaths of SANDF soldiers in DRC

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Picture: The mortal remains of SANDF soldiers who were killed in DRC/Twitter

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

13 February 2025 – The Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala, participated in the handing over ceremony of the mortal remains of South African National Defence Force soldiers who lost their lives in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Phala said they appreciate the work done by the department, United Nations, SADC and the SANDF to repatriate the gallant soldiers back home for their final burial.

“The committee has always believed that while the process is complex, everything should be done to return the remains to the country. We remain grateful that this has finally happened despite the delays.

“In the spirit of ubuntu and cooperation, the committee appreciates Uganda’s contribution to facilitating the transfer of the soldiers’ remains from the DRC to South Africa,” he said.

Gigaba also shared the same sentiments. He further said the spirit of cooperation is what is needed currently to enable dialogue, which will be critical in finding solutions to the long standing instability in the DRC.

“The committee has also reiterated that participation in peacekeeping missions is an obligation that cannot be abandoned.

“South Africa, as part of the African Union (AU), subscribes to the AU’s Agenda 2063, which aims to silence the guns and provide a framework of diplomacy, conflict resolution and sustainable development to ensure peace on our continent,” he said.

He added that, it is on this basis that they continue to support the deployment of the SANDF as a diplomatic tool to peacebuilding on the continent.

Gigaba said, while the committee remains of the view that a thorough investigation is necessary to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent its recurrence, the continued use of all diplomatic tools available remains necessary to advance the strategic goals of peace, security, and prosperity.

“The return of the mortal remains of the soldiers is a realisation of the promise made by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the SANDF to the committee that no stone will be left unturned to repatriate our fallen soldiers back to South Africa.

“It is now critical that families of the fallen soldiers are given adequate support and care during this difficult time,” he said.

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