Monthly Archives: April 2025

Portfolio Committee threatens to review scholar transport tender in North West

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Picture: A scholar transport bus involved in an accident/Facebook

By REGINALD KANYANE

11 April 2025- The North West Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management has expressed grave concern following yet another unacceptable incident involving a scholar transport bus. A school bus, reportedly with defective brakes, was carrying 48 learners when it failed to stop at the traffic lights opposite Mega City, crashing into a state vehicle and a liquor truck.

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile, who arrived at the accident scene just minutes after it occurred, said, fortunately, the truck absorbed the impact, preventing further disaster. Sonakile said the learners sustained minor injuries and were taken to nearby clinics and hospitals.

“This incident highlights a recurring failure in the scholar transport system. Despite numerous warnings by the Committee about unroadworthy buses, the issue persists—this accident being a direct result of those concerns being ignored.

“More troubling is the bus operator’s admission that he has not been paid for over three months, despite continuing to provide the service. This speaks to serious financial mismanagement and systemic negligence within the North West scholar transport tender system,” he said.

Sonakile further said the committee has requested a full report and will hold the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management accountable. He added that the department had assured the committee in March 2025 that all scholar transport operators had been verified.

“Yet, this dangerously unfit bus remained in operation, an inexcusable oversight. The committee will, at its next sitting, consider firm and possibly unpopular reforms, including consideration of compliant versus non-compliant buses and a complete review of the entire tender.

“We cannot afford to wait for fatalities. Bold, immediate and uncompromising action is required to protect our children. We’ve been raising these concerns for over a year, the time for excuses is over,” said Sonakile.

He said the committee wishes all injured learners a speedy recovery and urges parents and communities to remain vigilant and report non-compliant buses immediately and most importantly act before lives are lost, not after.

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It’s been 100 years since the discovery of Taung Skull, but….!

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Picture: The late professor and palaeoanthropologist Phillip Vallentine Tobias holds the Taung skull. / Wikipedia

By OBAKENG MAJE

11 April 2025- Taung World Heritage Site, which is a significant piece of South African heritage, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The site is where a crucial early hominin fossil was discovered.

However, one of the founders of Vaal Taung Tourism Association, Ontshebile Joseph Tshamboko, who is affectionately known as ‘OJ The Dreamer” said, it is disheartening to see that there are no builds-up event to celebrate 100 years anniversary since the discovery of Taung Skull. Tshamboko calls on the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) to make means that it brings Taung Skull from Wits University to Taung, at least for a month.

He further said that it will benefit the economy of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District at large. Tshamboko said that will also inspire young people who are passionate about tourism.    

“For years, as the tourism product owners across the province, we have submitted numerous proposals to previous MECs, but nothing is happening. We do see that tourism in Bojanala is booming, whereas Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District also has the potential.

“When it comes to the Taung Skull issue, it is really throbbing. Yes, we see development but they have been there for the past 10 years. Today, the area is still in the developmental stage, though they said they are completing soon,” he said.

Tshamboko said it will be great if locals have a touch or feel the skull within their jurisdiction as part of its centenary celebration. He said even if there is no physical touch, just to see it will make a difference.

“I think some of us will rest in peace knowing that we have seen our fossil with our naked eyes. When are we going to lay our eyes on that particular precious skull?

“If they are concerned about security, they can do the same thing as they do when showcasing the World Cup trophies. We will be able to generate income and tourism product owners will make profits,” said Tshamboko.

He said people are prepared to pay to see that skull. Tshamboko said the government can even deploy South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to guard the Taung Skull as part of activation.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Evelyn Lenkopane said: “I have been receiving a lot of calls regarding Taung Skull. We are closing shop now and will no longer be a construction site.

“Taung Skull must generate income for the people of Taung. We are busy digitising it and the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, will hand it over to the community, so that activation and economical activities can start rolling.”

Lenkopane said the government has already spent almost R500 million on the Taung World Heritage Site project since its inception. She said they have appointed a project management team that has given a timeline.

“We cannot forever pump money into the project. So, we are giving it to the community and releasing a digitised version of it. We are also engaging Wits University,” said Lenkopane.

Meanwhile, the fossilised skull of a child was discovered by unsuspecting workers in a limestone quarry in Buxton village in 1924. Taung Skull or Taung Child, which was later named Australopithecus africanus, was the first hominid fossil to be discovered on the African continent.

Taung Skull was formally discovered and studied by Raymond Dart. The skull was taken to the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for research purposes, where it is currently located.

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Picture: Taung  

SAPS: “Stop damaging the integrity of police with unverified information”

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Picture: The SAPS van seen offloading crates of liquor/Screengrab

By BAKANG MOKOTO

11 April 2025- The SAPS Management in the Northern Cape said it has noted the video clip circulating on social media platforms depicting a SAPS marked vehicle offloading crates at a liquor outlet in Paballelo on 10 April 2025. The management said it wishes to place the incident into context to avoid further misunderstanding and misinterpretation thereof.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien said SAPS in Paballelo were busy disposing of SAP 13 items on 10 April 2025 which included liquor. Gamieldien said during various police operations, a number of illegal shebeens or illegal liquor outlets were raided and alcohol being sold in contravention of applicable legislation was seized and stored in the SAPS custody.

“Upon finalization of the criminal cases, the alcohol was declared as forfeited to the state. The liquor was disposed of in accordance with SAPS internal prescripts. The empty bottles and crates were also disposed of by means of taking them to the identified legal liquor outlet for purposes of disposal in exchange for cash.

“The money will then be deposited into the State account. The SAPS is appealing to the community to refrain from posting unverified videos on social media platforms without confirming or verifying the origin or circumstances thereof,” she said.

Gamieldien further said these incidents tarnishes and damages the image of the organization and compromises the confidence of the public in the South African Police Service.

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48 learners ferried to hospital after the brakes of their scholar transport bus failed

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Picture: The scholar transport bus involved in a car accident/Ofentse Letlape

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

11 April 2025- The scholar transport bus ferrying 48 learners from Lapologang Secondary School in Montshioa Township, near Mahikeng was involved in an accident. This comes after the breaks of a 50-seater bus allegedly failed, resulting in it hitting a state vehicle from behind.

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said the accident occurred on a busy intersection near Mega City Shopping Centre on Thursday afternoon. Morweng said neither of the two drivers were hurt, though some learners sustained minor injuries.

“All the 48 learners were taken to Bophelong Provincial Hospital. The learners, 12 boys and 36 girls whose ages range from 14 to 18 and in Grade 8 to 12, are from Lokaleng, Mogosane and Tlapeng, outside Mmabatho.

“The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management Chief Director responsible for Transport Operation, Mpho Rantona, worked with teachers till very late to ensure that all learners are transported to the hospital,” he said.

Morweng further said out of learners admitted, 47 were discharged after medical checkup, except one who is kept for overnight observation. He added that the department made arrangements for each learner to be transported home.

“The department has also made alternative transport to ensure learners are being transported to school. We have requested a comprehensive report on the cause of the accident, including the roadworthiness of the bus,” said Morweng.

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Committee over escalating municipal debt crisis

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Picture: The Eskom

By REGINALD KANYANE

11 April 2025 – The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources received briefings yesterday from the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) and Eskom on their audit outcomes and performance in the 2024/25 financial year. The committee commended NECSA for improvement in its audit outcomes from a disclaimed position to clean audits.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mpho Modise said on operations, the committee told the entity that there should be a dedicated session for that report on the entity’s work and plans, as there was not enough time for that yesterday. Modise said regarding Eskom, the committee acknowledged progress made in stabilising operations and reducing load-shedding.

“However, we expressed concerns over persistent challenges that included the escalating municipal debt crisis, which has crippled the utility’s financial sustainability.

“Other issues raised relating to Eskom included continued problems with fraud, corruption and criminality in spite of efforts to strengthen internal controls and consequence management,” he said.

Modise further said the committee raised questions about delays in the legal separation and unbundling of Eskom’s entities, as well as the utility’s environmental compliance challenges, including with emissions standards. He added that the committee stressed the need for the power utility to be more transparent and provide regular updates on its turnaround efforts.

“The Deputy Minister for the Department of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Jane Graham-Mare, informed the committee that there is a plan to establish a joint task team that will include National Treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to develop customized interventions to address the municipal debt crisis.

“The committee told both entities that it will continue to monitor their performance closely and engage with their political principals to ensure accountability,” said Modise.

He said the committee highlighted the need for the department and its entities to improve their responsiveness and transparency and to provide the required information to the committee when that is due.

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SAFA skips U17 COSAFA Women’s Championship for players for focus on school

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Picture: Under 17 Women’s Soccer players/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

11 April 2025– The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced that the SA U17 Women’s National Team, Bantwana, will not participate in the upcoming U17 COSAFA Women’s Championship scheduled for Namibia from 10-17 May 2025. SAFA said it took this decision in an effort to help the players focus more on their education.

The SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said the association has the responsibility of balancing education with football, especially for the younger players. Jordaan said the pool of U17 Women’s National Team players, some of whom are as young as 15 years-old, have missed a lot of school since the beginning of the year, while attending various preparation camps and also participating in the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers.

“Bantwana started the year with the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers against Gabon, home and away in January 2025. They were also involved in a training camp in February to help the team prepare for qualifying matches against Nigeria that further took them out of school between 7-16 March 2025.

“Some of the players were also selected for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana in February and missed classes from 17-26 February when they played two international friendly games against Lesotho,” he said.

Jordaan further said the association is now preparing for the CAF African Schools Football Championship, which will be staged in Ghana, which means more school hours will be missed by the players in the squad in April. He added that, as a result, the association has decided not to enter the team to participate in the COSAFA U17 Championship in May 2025, to afford the players an opportunity to catch up with schooling before the mid-year break, noting that their success in school is also as important as playing football.

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Lesotho national and his accomplice sentenced to life imprisonment each for rape

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

10 April 2025- Two men aged 34, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court rape. This comes after the accused, Thabang Lebata and Jason Mamayile, kidnapped and raped a woman (39), in Brandvlei, Randfotein in May 2023.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane, the accused were also sentenced to an additional five years for kidnapping. Mjonondwane said Lebata, a Lesotho national, was further sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act, as he was found to be in South Africa illegally.

“The court heard that on the night of the incident, between 20h00 and 21h00, the complainant was walking home from a nearby shop when she was accosted by two men. They placed a cloth over her head and forcibly took her to their house, where they took turns raping her repeatedly.

“She testified that she managed to escape around midnight, fleeing naked to a neighbour’s house, where she reported the ordeal. The police were immediately summoned and accompanied the complainant to the accused’s residence, where both men were arrested,” she said.

Mjonondwane further said her belongings were recovered at the scene. She added that, although only Lebata was linked to the crime through DNA evidence, the state prosecutor, Rachel Bopape, successfully argued that both accused acted in common purpose, warranting equal criminal liability.

“Bopape also presented a Victim Impact Statement (VIS), compiled by Probation Officer Kelebogile Lelahane, which outlined the devastating emotional and psychological toll on the complainant, who was left traumatised and stripped of her dignity. With the support of Court Preparation Officer, Ellen Matsimela, the complainant was able to find the courage to testify in court.

“NPA strongly condemns such heinous acts and remains steadfast in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This commitment is further demonstrated through the expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), now numbering 65 across the country, which offer holistic support and services to victims of GBV. The collaborative efforts of Sergeant Au and prosecutor Bopape in this successful prosecution are commendable,” she said.

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AGSA embarks on a roadshow in Northern Cape 

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Picture: AGSA, Tsakani Maluleke

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

10 April 2025- The acting Northern Cape Premier, Bentley Vass, accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and senior government officials, met with the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), Tsakani Maluleke, as part of the Auditor General’s Roadshow. In attendance was also the Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Newrene Klaaste and Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs).

Vass said the purpose of the meeting was for Maluleke to present the outcomes of the 2023-2024 Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) audit. He said constructive discussions took place regarding interventions and strengthening Municipalities to ensure that Local Government complies with legislation and delivers efficient and effective services.

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Ramaphosa calls of police to practise Batho Pele principles 

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Picture: The SAPS members during parade/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE 

10 April 2025- The president of Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa calls on South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to continue to safeguard the nation. Ramaphosa said the nation’s safety and security requires that they are proactive, innovative and solutions-oriented in their approach. 

Ramaphosa further said as a frontline service, the police interface with the communities daily. He added that, as such, the police need to be guided by the Batho Pele principles of high service standards, consultation, equal access to services, and treating citizens with respect, dignity and empathy. 

“The SAPS mission is to investigate and prevent crime and ensure that offenders are brought to justice, to counter threats to community safety and security and importantly, to participate in efforts to address the root causes of crime. 

“Crime is both a cause and a symptom. It is a cause of insecurity and instability in communities. It weakens the social fabric. Crime has a direct impact on the economy,” said Ramaphosa. 

He said it discourages investment, disrupts business activity and leads to increased security costs for companies. Ramaphosa said crime is also a symptom of wider problems in a society. 

“Poverty and inequality, unemployment, lack of opportunity, patriarchy and misogyny, and broken family structures are just some of the issues that contribute to crime and criminality. 

“Addressing crime without understanding its root causes is like a doctor treating a patient for a fever without diagnosing the underlying illness. It is therefore encouraging that this summit has as one of its key objectives adopting a more holistic approach to law-enforcement, encompassing not just the police but the entire policing system,” he said. 

Ramaphosa said it is also encouraging that this summit brings together stakeholders from the safety and security establishment, communities and civil society, business, the interfaith sector, labour and other sectors. He said just as crime is an all-of-society problem, overcoming crime must be an all-of-society effort.

“In doing so, we must marshall our full support behind the hardworking men and women of the South African Police Service. The policing terrain of today is complex and multi-faceted. 

 “The police strive to fulfill their mandate in the context of emerging threats. These threats include transnational organised crime, illegal mining, extortion syndicates, the theft of economic infrastructure, money laundering and terror financing,” said Ramaphosa. 

He said even in this extremely challenging environment, the South African Police Service continues to register successes in fighting crime in its various operations. Ramaphosa said to build on these successes, they need to restore public trust and faith in the police. 

“We need to improve the relationships between the police and the communities they serve. We need to work to improve the morale of SAPS members, many of whom are battling heavy workloads, insufficient resources and outdated systems. 

“Even as the SAPS budget has increased over the past ten years, the reality is that the number of police personnel has been declining while the country’s population has been growing,” he said.

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“Non-compliant NPOs derail our efforts to achieve clean audit”  

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Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

10 April 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, decried non-compliance of non-profit organisations (NPOs) with legislation as a major cause of her department’s inability to achieve a clean audit. Dantjie was addressing more than 200 delegates from various NPOs who filled Madibeng’s White Hall to capacity for a day-long roadshow, dubbed ‘Re Thuse Re Go Thuse’.

‘Re Thuse Re Go Thuse’ is Dantjie’s flagship programme that underscores her commitment to fostering a robust and effective NPO sector that is capable of delivering essential services to communities across the province in partnership with sister departments and State-Owned Entities (SOEs).

“We account to oversight bodies on how we spend the budget that is allocated to us. A large percentage of the departmental budget goes to the NPOs to enable them to work in partnership with the department in delivering services to our people. 

“If we keep on providing funding to NPOs that are not fully compliant with legislation, we will always attract a finding from the Auditor General SA,” she said.  

Dantjie further said, NPOs must refrain from using unspent monies without the approval of her department. She added that NPOs should explore other possible means of generating income without depending solely on her departmental annual funding.

Meanwhile, the National Lottery Commission, the South African Revenue Services, the Provincial Treasury, the National Development Agency, the Department of Home Affairs and the National Department of Social Development are part of the stakeholders that participate in the roadshow. 

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