7 May 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it welcomes the swift action taken by Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Koliswa Otola, in reporting an alleged incident of police brutality against a group of teenagers in Kimberley over the weekend to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). This comes after the DA reported the matter to Otola.
The DA’s Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Fawzia Rhoda said according to the group of friends, they were followed in a marked SAPS vehicle and threatened by officials, who used foul language and physical violence to scare them.
Rhoda said one official allegedly used his firearm to inflict bodily harm on an underage girl from the group before continuing the assault with pepper spray after she exercised her right to record the ordeal. She said the footage has been viewed by the DA and submitted as evidence.
“Another SAPS official is also accused of acting violently and striking the driver of the vehicle for allegedly speeding. This is despite the driver’s cooperation with the officer’s demands that his blood- alcohol level be tested.
“The DA is gravely concerned that the police officials are accused of exposing their official firearms without adequate justification, behaving violently and unprofessionally and driving off without taking the driver for alcohol testing, after one of the teenager’s guardians insisted on speaking to them,” said Rhoda.
She said this case has arisen not long after media reports about Roodepan Police Station’s investigation into a kidnapping case of a 14-year-old boy, whose home was allegedly invaded by police officers ahead of his arrest and placement in a holding cell with an adult for over two hours. Rhoda said intimidation and unlawful behaviour by SAPS officials has no place in the Northern Cape, already marred by increasing levels of violent crime.
“The DA will keep a close eye on the IPID investigation and continue to provide support to the affected teenagers and their families. Those meant to enforce safety in our communities must not be allowed to serve as the perpetrators of violence,” she said.
7 May 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Police said it is of the view that the South African Police Service’s continued use of conventional methods to combat gang violence is not assisting to achieve success, as communities struggle under the strain of organised crime. Today, the committee received a petition from Yusuf Cassim, a member of the Eastern Cape Legislature on the ongoing gang violence in the northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron said they have noted that the SAPS continues to adopt a nonchalant approach to the scourge of gang violence, despite the concerning fear that communities must contend with daily. Cameron said, also, the impact of gang murders on the high murder rate is not taken as a priority.
“Furthermore, although the police have committed to a data-centric approach to policing, the continued under-resourcing of police stations with high crime rates and the complete disregard of the Anti-Gang Unit continues to inhibit the unit’s ability to meaningfully target and arrest gang leaders to achieve the objective of dismantling these gangs.
“While the committee is cognisant of the socio-economic factors that encourage gang affiliation in these areas and which require a collaborative approach from various stakeholders, the committee remains concerned about the unwillingness of SAPS to implement intelligence operations intended to infiltrate and disrupt gangs,” he said.
Cameron further said the SAPS must also consider using technological advances as force multipliers in the fight against gang violence. He added that the committee highlighted that the challenges faced in the northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay are similar to those in areas of the Cape Flats in Cape Town and Eldorado Park in Johannesburg.
“This requires urgent action and intervention. The approach adopted by SAPS is not showing signs of success and a change of course is necessary to ensure that we rid our streets of gangs and the associated violence they bring.
“The committee received a petition from Fokus Group, a group of former members and widows of SAPS members who have struggled to get compensation for occupational injuries sustained while on duty. The committee was disappointed by the weak and uncaring response from SAPS,” said Cameron.
He said it is unacceptable that although members have been injured on duty, the process is cumbersome and that the SAPS is seemingly unwilling to assist its members to apply and benefit from the Compensation Fund. Cameron said the committee is of the view that while the delays might be on the part of the Department of Labour, SAPS should be doing more to engage its sister department to expedite its processes.
“It is unacceptable that the SAPS have just passed the buck to the Department of Employment and Labour without accepting its administrative shortcomings and lack of adequate support. The committee considers it inhumane that a beneficiary has had to wait for over 30 years to access the benefits they are entitled to.
“Unfortunately, the responses given to the committee by SAPS leave much to be desired. The non-responses are unaware of the plight of former police officers who were injured on duty. The South African Police must do more to support its members in accessing benefits from the Compensation Fund,” he said.
Cameron said similarly, the committee is concerned that while the SAPS gave a glossy presentation, the realities on the ground are grim for members who are injured on duty. He said, for example, a member of the SAPS in the Western Cape who was paralysed while on duty has had to stop physiotherapy sessions due to SAPS’s non-payment for over 20 appointments.
“The committee is concerned that the bureaucratic mess leaves members of SAPS and their families vulnerable. For its part, the committee resolved that it will engage with the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour to plan a joint meeting, where the petition and general injury-on-duty claims will be the main area of focus,” said Cameron.
7 May 2025- A man (55) was allegedly found dead in the house at Lokgabeng village, near Taung on Monday. According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, the deceased was found by family members in the house.
Van Rooyen said the cause of death was declared as natural.
“We are aware of the matter and no foul play is suspected,” she said.
Picture: Scholar transport challenges in North West
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
7 May 2025- The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management said it has noted with serious concern the non-payment of scholar transport service providers in the North West, which has resulted in some providers suspending learner transport services since yesterday.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Freddy Sonakile said this disruption directly infringes on learners’ constitutional right to education. Sonakile said the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, has confirmed that it engaged in a full-day, tense meeting yesterday with service providers in Ngaka Modiri Molema District to address the issue.
He further said the department has acknowledged the urgency and is committed to clearing all outstanding payments by 9 May 2025. Sonakile added that, to ensure accountability and progress, they are in constant communication with the department.
“Starting from yesterday, the Head of Department (HOD), Dr Hans Kekana will submit daily proof of payments to the committee after 2pm, to verify that payments are being processed timeously. The delays were largely due to recent technical issues with the BAS (Basic Accounting System) payment system, which have since been resolved.
“The committee wishes to remind the public that it has been actively working on long-term solutions to scholar transport challenges since last year. Several resolutions adopted by the North West Provincial Legislature are already being implemented, including Invoice Tracking System,” he said.
Sonakile said the department has since 1 April 2025 adopted the ‘Rea Patala’ invoice tracking system, as per the committee’s resolution. He said the National Public Works ICT Unit trained departmental staff on its use yesterday.
“This system ensures invoices are processed efficiently and in line with legal requirements. On submission of a Business Case on Funding Shortfalls, the department has finalised a business case to present to Provincial Treasury to address the current funding gap in scholar transport.
“Although R85 million was allocated for scholar transport this financial year, there remains a shortfall of approximately R150 million. Addressing this shortfall is critical to prevent similar payment crises towards the end of the year,” said Sonakile.
He said plans are underway to convene a comprehensive Transport Summit later this year, bringing together service providers, Provincial Treasury, the Department of Education, school principals, SGBs, and the Portfolio Committee. Sonakile said the summit will aim to establish a provincial scholar transport policy, clearly defining stakeholder responsibilities, improving monitoring, and ensuring enforceable accountability.
“The committee urges all service providers to continue transporting learners while the Department processes outstanding payments this week. The committee is closely monitoring progress, and should payments not be finalised by Friday, we will push for strong consequence management measures against those responsible for delays,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it is gravely dismayed by the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management continued failure to provide a responsive, learner centred and effective scholar transport. The party said from 29 April 2025 to date, the department in question failed to provide transport for learners of JM Lekgetha Commercial School and Gaetsho Secondary School.
EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema said: “As if that was not enough, the department did not inform the concerned parties about the predicament and it also appears that the department does not have a concrete plan to deal with the crisis.
“It is evident enough that the department did not do anything to address or prevent the crisis at hand. Since Wessels Morweng took over the reins as the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, challenges of unroadworthy scholar transports and late payments of service providers persists.”
Moema said as a result of this, learners are the ones who suffer the most as they miss important lessons and assessments. He said the department is tasked with allocating scholar transport resources of the province
in the best interest of the learners, however, the elites are using scholar transport as a business tickets for their self-enrichment at the expense of the children of the black
working class.
“As the EFF, we will initiate a fully blown investigation of reported cases of unroadworthy scholar transport, irregular awarding of scholar transport tenders and
malicious delays of payments. We further urge the department of education to put necessary measures in place to assist all the affected learners to catch up with the
Picture: Farmer, Mr Pucoe Oatlhotse from Kgomotso Village stands next to the new livestock handling facility built by the department to support safer and more efficient animal health and disease control/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
7 May 2025- In a decisive move to strengthen rural livestock farming and deliver on its service commitments, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has improved water access for communal livestock farmers in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. This development marks a meaningful step towards securing sustainable agriculture in some of the province’s most water-stressed areas.
The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha said through targeted interventions and strategic infrastructure upgrades, his department has brought much-needed relief to farming communities that have long contended with unreliable water sources. More than a dozen villages across Kagisano-Molopo and Greater Taung Local Municipalities are now benefiting from restored, upgraded, and newly developed water systems.
Sambatha said these improvements include the installation of windmills, submersible pumps, high-capacity storage tanks, and the drilling and equipping of new boreholes, ensuring farmers have consistent and reliable access to water for their livestock.
“This is a major step in the right direction. For us, farmers are a priority. Without water, there is no farming and without farming, there is no rural economy.
“What we have achieved in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati is a clear example of how the government must respond to the needs of its people. We are not done, there are still areas in need, but this marks a firm beginning,”he said.
Sambatha further said in Kagisano-Molopo, communal farmers in Langpomp, Gamongalenyane 1, Maheng, Setabeng, and Matlhabatlhabe, now enjoy improved access to water following the installation of new windmills, rehabilitation of boreholes, and construction of reservoirs. He added that, He added that, in Greater Taung, eight villages—Comforthill, Choseng, Tlapeng, Fairview, Mogopela B, Tamasikwa, Maphoitsile, and Manthe, are already experiencing the benefits of upgraded boreholes, new pumps and a reticulation system that feeds into a new 60,000-litre Zinc storage tank.
“As part of its broader livestock support strategy, the Department has also installed handling facilities alongside existing dipping tanks, enabling safer and more efficient livestock management during health inspections and disease control operations.
“These efforts are not only helping sustain livestock farming in the district, but are also reinforcing food security and stimulating local rural economies,” said Sambatha.
He said his department is currently assessing additional areas across the province for similar interventions, as it continues to roll out its mandate to support agricultural development and climate-resilient farming systems.
Meanwhile, for farmers like Pucoe Oatlhotse of Kgomotso Village, the intervention has had a tangible impact.
“We are truly encouraged by the progress we are seeing. Access to clean water is making it easier for us to care for our livestock. The department’s support has brought real change on the ground, and we are grateful,” he said.
7 May 2025- Two men who were allegedly arrested for kidnapping, robbery aggravating, rape and murder case are expected to appear at Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court today. The accused, Tshepiso Montswane (33) and Gaonapotso Rantsho (33), were arrested after they allegedly kidnapped, robbed, rape and killed Motlalepule Kau (43).
It is alleged that Kau who resided in Montshioa Township, near Mahikeng, was lured by Rantsho and Montswane to Kudunkgwane village, near Ganyesa under false pretence of being traditional healers. It is alleged that Kau was reported missing by her family at Mahikeng Police Station on 23 April 2025, and a search commenced.
The accused allegedly kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed her. Kau’s lifeless body was found buried in a shallow grave in the bushes between Tlakgameng and Kudunkgwane on 24 April 2025.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Kau’s body was positively identified by a next-of-kin. Mokgwabone said the gruesome discovery came after forensic leads led the investigation teams that worked tirelessly to the area.
“Ransho and Motswane were remanded in custody until 7 May 2025, for possible bail application. They are facing charges of kidnapping, robbery aggravating, rape and murder,” he said.
The duo told the court that, they have a pending rape case.
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