Monthly Archives: March 2025

North West govt grappling with 6756 vacant unfunded posts

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Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 March 2025– During its oversight visit to the North West province on Monday, the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration raised concern about the number of unfunded vacant posts in the provincial government. The committee is on a week-long oversight visit to the North West and Gauteng provinces to assess the state of public services.

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Jan De Villers said noting that there are 6756 vacant unfunded posts, committee members said this might create a temptation

to fill these posts. De Villers said, however, it urged the provincial government to avoid a situation where it overspends on employee compensation and encouraged the province to remove these posts from its organograms, as per Treasury guidelines.

“The committee is conducting the oversight to better understand the issues affecting public service in the province. Often there is much waste in the public sector, especially with so-called ghost employees in the system and on the payroll.

“This creates incredible waste that should be investigated, as it works against efforts to create a professional and ethical public service. The committee has decided to prioritise this,” he said.

De Villers further said they are here to see what has been done to reduce wastage in the public service. He added that they raised the issue in the presence of the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and asked what systems are in place to guard against it.

“The first step, the committee urged, is to clean up the province’s persal system. Noting the 255 misconduct cases the province recorded by quarter 3 of the 2024/25 financial year, the committee asked why finalising these cases takes so long.

“The committee heard that legal experts who chair these disciplinary hearings are often unavailable and the province has been advocating to run the process internally,” said de Villers.

He said the committee also heard that by the third quarter of this financial year, the cost for 15 officials on precautionary suspension was already in excess of R9 million and urged the department to finalise these cases more speedily. De Villers said the committee also said that relevant officials should be sent for training on disciplinary management.

“The Public Service Commission also made a presentation that outlined, among other things, the qualifications of senior management in the provincial administration.

“Members heard that based on data the PSC received from 11 departments in November 2023 and one department in May 2024, the departments of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, and Social Development and Public Works and Roads were the only departments in which all senior management members met the minimum requirements for their respective posts,” said de Villers.

He said the committee again stressed the need for adequate skills to build a capable and professional state. De Villers said the members also visit the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital to assess staffing and the level of service provided, among other things.

“Members asked about the status of the neonatal ward after the hospital made headlines about newborn babies placed in boxes amid a shortage of cribs a few years ago. The committee also raised concerns about the number of acting posts, including the hospital’s CEO.

“Members noted the frequent long waiting times caused by the hospital’s manual filing system. The committee was encouraged by the Centre for Public Innovation’s offer to assist in efforts to digitise systems,” said de Villers.

He said the committee also heard that the province, which was subject to a Section 100 intervention, is unsure about the status quo, as it never received a close-out report. De Villers said this is now affecting operations.

“The committee undertook to raise the issue with the relevant ministers and committees in the National Council of Provinces. Today, the committee will visit the Moses Kotane Hospital and the Home Affairs offices in Rustenburg before it makes its way to Gauteng for the second leg of the oversight visit,” said De Villers.

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Lebenkele la kwa Manthe le kgothositswe

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Setshwantsho-papiso- Sethunya se se dirisitsweng mo bosinying se thopilwe ke sepodisi

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

25 Mopitlwe 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se batlisisa kgetsi ya go kgothosa o tlhometse. Se se tla morago ga gore banna ba ba sa itsiweng ba le ba tlhano, ba kgorogelo mong wa lebenkele (tuck shop) kwa kgaolong ya Dube kwa motseng wa Manthe ka Labotlhano bosigo.

Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ba neng ba rwele dithima-sefatlhego (balaclavas), ba ile ba kgorogela monna wa motswa-kwa. Go begwa fa ba ile ba mo shupa ka sethunya, mme ba mo tseela madi a seatleng a lekanyediwang go R4500, airtime ga mmogo le metsoko.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, are ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana.

“Dipatlisiso mo kgetsing e, di tsweletse mme mongwe le mongwe o a ka tswang a na le tshedimosetso mabapi le tiragalo e, a ka ikgolaganya le sepodisi ka go leletsa seteishene sa Taung kgotsa 10111,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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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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Do you know him?

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Picture: One of the persons of interest/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

24 March 2025- The police in Kimberley are requesting public assistance in tracing three persons of interest, who may assist in solving an armed robbery and hijacking. It is alleged that on 28 February 2025, a driver (43) of a delivery truck together with crew, were traveling on the N12 road when they were stopped by a male person in traffic uniform.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said one of the suspects allegedly conducted inspections around the truck after requesting the driver’s license. Pilane said the driver was instructed to alight from the truck and follow the officer to a white Volkswagen Sedan, with registration number CSL634NC.

“Two more men emerged from the nearby bushes, pointed the driver and his crew with firearms, tied them up and shoved them into the backseat of the sedan before driving off with them. They were later dropped off 5km outside town on Douglas road.

“The truck was later recovered, but all goods valued at R148 864, were stolen. Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the assailants can contact Detective Constable Jon-Ross Webb on 076 419 4115/ 0538384200 or contact the SAPS crime stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively utilise the MySAPS App, all information will be treated confidentially,” he said.

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A man nabbed for assaulting his girlfriend

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Picture: A man arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

24 March 2025- A 32-YEAR-OLD man was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend (26) in Greenpoint, Kimberley.  The police were busy with an outreach campaign activation in Greenpoint when they uncovered the assaulted woman who was in pain at her grandparent’s home.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the victim had a swollen face and could not give an account of the assault to the police due to injuries to her jaws. Sam said police immediately assisted the victim in opening a criminal case on 21 March 2025 and activated all resources and relevant units in order to track, trace and apprehend the suspect.

“The suspect was arrested on 22 March 2024, and charged for attempted murder and domestic violence. He is expected to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate Court soon,” said Sam.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the police for ensuring access to justice for the victim of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and bringing the perpetrator to justice.

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237 suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela

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Picture: The police conducting patrol and search during Operation Shanela/Suppliee

By BAKANG MOKOTO

24 March 2025- More than 237 suspects were arrested for various offences during Operation Shanela. The police in collaboration with other government departments and law enforcement agencies intensified efforts to address priority crimes across the Northern Cape province.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said between 17 until 23 March 2025, extensive disruptive operations were conducted under the auspices of Operation Shanela, leading to the arrest of 237 individuals, including wanted suspects. Ehlers said these arrests were linked to serious offenses such as drug dealing and possession, murder, rape, burglary, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), and contravening the Firearms Control Act.

“Dedicated detective teams also carried out targeted tracing operations to apprehend suspects evading justice. As part of these operations, 477 stop-and-search actions were conducted as well as 34 vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks were set up, resulting in the search of 2 247 individuals and 1 546 vehicles.

“Compliance inspections were carried out at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, and informal businesses, leading to the closure of unlicensed liquor outlets and the confiscation of significant quantities of alcohol,” she said.

Ehlers further said the law enforcement also seized large quantities of drugs, including dagga, and Tik, as well as dangerous weapons and handgun and rifle ammunition. She added that in addition to enforcement actions, various awareness programmes were conducted across all five districts, focusing on school safety (including bullying and teenage pregnancy), domestic violence, online fraud and cybercrime, and substance abuse.

“A team from Gift of the Givers provided humanitarian assistance in the ZF Mgcawu District, distributing food parcels and blankets to families affected by recent storms and strong winds. The police in Northern Cape remain committed to maintaining safety and order through ongoing disruptive operations. Community members are encouraged to share valuable information and report criminal activities via the MySAPS app or by calling 08600 10111,” said Ehlers.

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