Daily Archives: March 25, 2025

More than 900 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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By REGINALD KANYANE

25 March 2025- More than 900 suspects were arrested for various crimes during the multi-disciplinary high-density operation conducted between 17 and 23 March 2025. The Operation Shanela, which was intended to prevent and combat crime, resulted in the apprehension of 932 suspects across the province.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the successes were recorded after the execution of 5562 actions, which amongst others, included vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines. 

Manyoba said during the VCPs and roadblocks conducted across the province, a total of 1499 vehicles and 1994 persons were stopped and searched.

“As a result of these actions, 117 suspects were arrested for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), common assault, car-hijacking, seven for murder and attempted murder, rape, robbery, burglary, contravention of the Immigration Act.

“Others were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of drugs, dealing in drugs, possession of illegal cigarettes, illicit mining, and illegal dealing in liquor,” she said.

Manyoba further said in the efforts to eradicate the proliferation of illegal firearms, five firearms that included four handguns and one rifle were confiscated and four persons were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. She added that a variety of drugs, liquor, dangerous weapons, 13.5kg of copper, two cellular phones, two vehicles and tobacco products were also seized.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, expressed his gratitude to all law enforcement agencies, for their continuous efforts in ensuring that crime is prevented and combatted throughout the province.

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Broos left frustrated ahead of Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Benin

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos

By BAKANG MOKOTO

25 March 2025– Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has been left frustrated after it emerged that his charges will not be able to train at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, a day before they face Benin in a crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Benin will host the South African senior men’s national team in Côte d’Ivoire after their home grounds were deemed to be unsuitable for international matches. But this arrangement has been complicated by the fact that Côte d’Ivoire host the Gambia at the same Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny on 24 March 2025, and this means both Bafana Bafana and Benin cannot access the venue a day before their own match.

Broos is understandably upset as the visiting team is entitled to a training session of up to one hour on the pitch where the match is to take place, on the day before the match.

“First of all, I have to tell you that I’m really not satisfied with the decision that we can’t have a pre-match training in the stadium where the game takes place. I think this is a FIFA rule, that every team has the right to have a preliminary training before the game of 60 minutes in the stadium where you play, where the match takes place.

“I don’t understand. I understand it because there is another game. But this is bad when people who make the rules don’t follow the rules. Will that have an influence on the game?” he asked.

Bross further said he does know and if he knows if tomorrow after the game, he is not at the press conference, there will be a sanction. He added that they have to follow the rules.

“Where are the rules now? And you will tell me, yes, that’s for both teams. I don’t think so. I think Berlin has already trained in that stadium because they were here before us.

“So, it’s all nice to say, follow the rules, follow this. We have to follow everything. But we have the right to train today in the stadium where the match takes place, and we can’t. And this is not honest and this is not correct,” said Broos.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams said the team was happy to be back in Côte d’Ivoire after winning the Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal in the country in February last year. Williams said the South African senior men’s national team won the bronze medals after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the AFCON third-place play-off.

“It’s going to be a tough one. Benin is a very good team, but we believe in our qualities, we believe in what we’ve been building over the last year. So, we’re looking forward to the game. It’s going to be a tough one, a lot of challenges, but I think this team is strong enough to overcome all those challenges.

“It’s going to be a tough one, but we’re excited and we’re looking forward to it. We know how important and vital this game is for the group. We know that we can open up a gap and we know that a gap can be closed as well,” he said.

Williams said this is a big, big, big game in these qualifying rounds. He said it’s obviously the halfway mark now and after today one will have an idea as to who the favourites are in the group.

“So, we want to be there and we want to stay on top of the group,” said Williams.

Bafana Bafana had their first training session in Côte d’Ivoire yesterday afternoon.

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80% of children in SA are unable to read for meaning by the age of 10

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Picture: ECD learners/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 March 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the country should share belief in the profound importance of Bana Pele – putting children first. Ramaphosa who addressed the Bana Pele 2030 Roadmap Leadership Summit at Atlas Studios, Johannesburg recently, said this belief is the cornerstone of their vision for a brighter future for South Africa.

Ramaphosa further said it is because of this shared vision that they unite and collaborate today, committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive by the age of five. He added that their immediate focus is to extend access to early childhood development to every child.

“It is one of the most powerful levers we have to unlock the potential of our nation. We recognise today that investing in ECD is not just about education. It is about shaping the next generation of skilled, capable and entrepreneurial citizens who will drive our economy forward.

“Early childhood development provides children with the foundational skills they need to build a successful future. It helps to break the cycle of poverty that is handed down from one generation to the next,” said Ramaphosa.

He said Early Childhood Development is about giving children from all backgrounds the opportunity to grow into confident, capable citizens who contribute positively to society. Ramaphosa said children who receive a strong start are more likely to succeed in school and the workforce, reducing societal costs in areas such healthcare, crime prevention and welfare.

“A research report published to coincide with Brazil’s G20 Presidency, estimated that in South Africa, an investment of 2.1% GDP in universal childcare could have supported 10.5 million women to join the workforce over three years.

“Because of the profound effect that ECD can have on social well-being and development, we have decided to put our children first. Last week, the Minister of Finance announced an additional investment of R10 billion in ECD over the next three years,” he said.

Ramaphosa said they are all aware of the statistic that 80% of children in South Africa are unable to read for meaning by the age of 10. He said early childhood is critical for developing foundational skills such as language, literacy and numeracy.

“The experiences and interactions children have can significantly influence their future learning potential. This is why ECD must be treated as an urgent priority. We therefore welcome this wonderful initiative for business, civil society and government to work together to shape the future of early childhood development.

“This initiative will assist the strategic reorientation of the basic education sector to strengthen foundation learning. The benefits of universal access to ECD extend beyond the education of the child,” said Ramaphosa.

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North West Provincial Team secures 3rd position

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Picture: The North West Provincial Team/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

25 March 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she is pleased to announce that the North West Provincial Team has secured 3rd place at the National Primary Schools Track and Field Championships, held at Germiston Stadium from 20 to 22 March 2025. Motsumi said the team’s impressive performance is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and teamwork displayed by the learners and coaches.

She further said her department is proud to recognize their efforts and congratulates the team on their outstanding achievement. Motsumi added that they are incredibly proud of the team for securing third place at the national championships.

“This is a remarkable achievement, and we are grateful for the hard work and dedication displayed by our learners and coaches. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated educators and supportive parents who have played a vital role in nurturing and guiding our young champions.

“The North West Department of Education wishes to extend its congratulations to the North West Provincial Team on their outstanding achievement and wishes them continued success in their future endeavours,” she said.

Meanwhile, the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships are expected to take place in Bloemfontein in the first week of April 2025.

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SA U20 men’s team shines in friendly victory against Botswana

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Picture: SA football club/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

24 March 2025– South Africa’s U20 men’s national team delivered an impressive display on Saturday afternoon, securing a dominant 6-0 win over a determined Botswana side in the first of their two-match international friendlies at UJ Soweto Campus.

The home side took control very early in the match, netting three goals in the first half before adding another three in the second. Jody Ah Shene scored a brace while Shakeel April added a third before the break. Notably, the three goal scorers in the second half were different from those in the first – a clear reflection of the depth and attacking variety within the squad. Mfundo Vilakazi also scored a brace with Langelihle Phili completing the rout.

The fixture is part of South Africa’s preparations for the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place in Ivory Coast from 26 April to 18 May 2025. South Africa has been drawn in a challenging group alongside Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco, making every opportunity to refine tactics and build chemistry all the more important.

Botswana showed resilience throughout the encounter, growing in the game in the second half and gaining valuable experience against one of the continent’s stronger sides.

Botswana coach Kabelo Secholho said: “We were slow in the first half compared to the second period in building up an attack, and when playing against a strong side like South Africa, we can’t afford to make these mistakes.”

South Africa coach Raymond Mdaka was satisfied with the result but highlighted that there are areas for improvement ahead of the AFCON.

“The team did well but in certain parts I’d say we played to our opponents’ level, which we need to be wary of going into the AFCON,” he said.

The two sides will meet again in the second match on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 at 10h00 at the same venue. With the continental tournament fast approaching, South Africa will be eager to maintain momentum, while Botswana will look to respond positively in the return fixture.

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