Daily Archives: June 22, 2025

Four men nabbed for dealing in drugs

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Picture: Some of drugs seized by the police/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

23 June 2025- Four suspects were arrested for allegedly dealing with drugs during intensified Operation Shanela II in ZFM District on Friday. The operation activities have the yielded good results.

The ZFM District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said a Crime Intelligence-driven operation by Upington Border Police assisted by K9 unit, led to the apprehension suspects. Masegela said the police allegedly received tip-off about drugs to be delivered at one of the premises in Paballelo.

“The police operationalised the information. The police searched the said premises and discovered dagga to the value of R 33 350. They then arrested three suspects aged 22, 28, and 38, respectively.

“Furthermore, a man (31) allegedly found in possession of mandrax tablets and methamphetamine with an estimated value of R123 000 was arrested,” she said.

Masegela further said in addition, the police also confiscated cellphones and a scale believed to be used in the commission of crime. She added that, in an unrelated incident, the police in Keimoes closed down an illegal liquor outlet and seized liquor amounting to R15 000.

“An elderly man was charged for Contravention of the Northern Cape Liquor Act. The relentlessness actions by the members to eradicate drugs and other related crimes were commended by the District Commissioner of ZFM, Major General Monica Sebili, who urged the community to continue reporting illicit drug dealing.

“The police will continue tighten grip and continue unabatedly to minimize the space for criminal activity in the ZFM District,” said Masegela.

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218 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: The police conducting stop and search campaign/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

23 June 2025- More than 218 suspects were arrested in Northern Cape for various crimes during the concerted efforts of Operation Shanela II, which is a weekly multi-disciplinary, high-density crime-combatting initiative. The police said the operation will continue to drive an integrated and strategic national response to criminal activities across the Northern Cape.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, Sergio Kock said the latest phase of the operation ran from 16 until 22 June 2025 and focused primarily on reducing contact and violent crimes in identified hotspot areas. Kock said the policing actions were executed during this period, which included vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), stop-and-search operations, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, and activities targeting drug and contraband smuggling.

“Across the province, numerous VCPs and roadblocks resulted in 2,799 vehicles and 4,707 individuals being stopped and searched. Compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, recycling centers, private security companies, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses.

“This includes farms and mining operations. As part of broader community safety efforts, SAPS, together the Community Policing structures, representatives from the Department of Education, as well as other structures and NGO’s in support of the Safer Schools Programme visited several schools in the districts as a form of creating awareness with regard to crime trends, especially child protection,” said Kock.

He further said in line with Youth Month, SAPS and its partners also hosted various events under the theme: “Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation.” Kock added that, operational successes recorded during the week included arrests for murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery,

assault, burglary, malicious damage to property,

drug dealing and possession,

driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and

harboring of undocumented foreign nationals.

“Detectives executed tracing operations to focus on the apprehension of wanted suspects.

“The police further confiscated large quantities of alcoholic beverages, illicit drugs, non-ferrous metals, and cash suspected to be proceeds of criminal activity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, reaffirmed that Operation Shanela II represents a strategic realignment of resources and expertise.

“Our objective is to mitigate the impact of crime on public safety and economic growth, creating a secure environment that fosters domestic prosperity and attracts international investment,” she stated,” she said.

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Lesotho national nabbed for attempted murder, unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

23 June 2025 – As part of efforts to eradicate illegal firearms, a suspect (31) will appear in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on 23 June 2025, to face charges of possession of unlicensed firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, two counts of attempted murder and contravention of the Dangerous Weapons Act. The suspect, who is from Lesotho, will face an additional charge of contravention of the Immigration Act. 

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the arrest was made by Kanana Detectives and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Visible Policing members during a takedown operation at around 2:30am on 20 June 2025, at Kanana Extension 13 near Orkney.  Manyoba said the suspect was found in possession of a pistol, a revolver, a gas pistol and several different rounds of ammunition.

“Reports suggest that the suspect allegedly shot and critically injured two men aged 25 and 27, following an altercation between him and the victims on Saturday evening, 14 June 2025. Investigations into the matter continue,” she said.  

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said the South African Police Service (SAPS) is imploring the communities of Kanana,  Khuma and Jouberton, including the established Community Policing Forums and Community Safety Forums not to  harbour illegal armed criminals who are robbing, killing and maiming them, but to notify the police immediately so that they can be arrested.

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North West Department of Education employee sentenced to three years imprisonment for fraud

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By REGINALD KANYANE

22 June 2025- The North West Department of Education employee, Olebogeng Modikoe (40), was on 20 June 2025, sentenced to three years imprisonment or R20 000 fine by the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court after he was found guilty of fraud. In 2023, Modikoe, as a Principal Human Resource Officer, created two ghost employees on the system and gave them a three months contract.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said employees reportedly received remuneration amounting to R150 000. Gunya said investigations conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, revealed that the salaries were paid into the bank accounts of two accused persons, whose matter is still before court.

“Following an investigation, Modikoe and his co-accused were arrested in March 2024. Modikoe made several court appearances until he entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the State.

“He was found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment or R20 000 fine on two counts of fraud. Modikoe was further sentenced to two years imprisonment or R10 000 fine on two counts of money laundering,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West acting Hawks Head, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have welcomed the sentencing and lauded the prosecution and investigation team’s efforts.

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TIA to sign MoU with MICT SETA

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Picture: MICT SETA educating learners/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

23 June 2025- The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) in partnership with the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA), set to officially sign a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at powering digital skills and innovation in South Africa.

The Alkemi Collective from Martin Slabbert, who released an invite on behalf of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Martin Slabbert said this landmark partnership sets in motion a multi-year strategic partnership that will see TIA and MICT SETA jointly design and implement targeted digital and Fourth Industrial Revolution skills programmes.

Slabbert said: “These initiatives aim to broaden access to innovation driven learning, improve employment readiness among youth and strengthen South Africa’s National System of Innovation.

“The MOU will unlock various opportunities, including co-funded digital skills and incubation programmes. Bursary schemes and a dedicated Research Chair in Innovation Management. The internship and placement opportunities for graduates.”

He further said accelerated support for entrepreneurs through hackathons, mentorship, and commercialisation platforms. Slabbert added that this event marks a significant step toward bridging South Africa’s digital divide and enabling a future ready workforce that reflects the country’s diversity and potential.

“The event will take place at MICT SETA Offices, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand at 11am until 1pm. TIA is a national public entity that serves as the key institutional intervention to bridge the innovation chasm between research and development from higher education institutions, science councils, public entities, the private sector, and commercialisation,” he said.

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Unemployed youths scammed over road traffic learnership

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Picture: The traffic officers duirng parade in North West/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

22 June 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said his department has noted with disquiet concern what appears to be an unceasing concerted effort by unknown individuals to scam unsuspecting and desperate unemployed young people by promising to train them as traffic officers. Morweng said this comes after one of these scammers going by name of ‘Mr Mantswe’ allegedly solicits money from the desperate unemployed young people under the guise of securing positions for them in the Road Traffic Learnership.

He further said the scammer allegedly promise those who had applied for traffic learnership to take them to the college “in Welkom in the Free State”. Morweng added that, this cretin allegedly tell innocent victims that he comes from his office and had scammed several young people about R700 each ostensibly for “transport”.

“The department wishes to inform the public that the traffic learnership recruitment process has been concluded and successful applicants have already been taken to the college at the beginning of this month.

“The department will inform the prospective applicants through official platforms, including website and social media pages when the next recruitment cycle starts.

We call on individuals who had been conned off by these roguish people to lay charges with the police,” he said.

Morweng said this is an illegal conduct by those who seek to take advantage of unemployed young people who are in the market for job opportunities. He said they are appealing to take to report these people to the police and to the department.

“Meanwhile our Legal Unit has opened the case with Mmabatho Police Station for further investigation. The department would like to put it on record that it follows guidelines and procedures outlined by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) on employment processes.

“This includes the recruitment of candidates on the traffic learnership. The recruitment process does not require any money from applicants as the department pays for the transportation and training costs of the successful applicants,” said Morweng.

He said the public is advised to be cautious of these criminal elements and to report any suspicious behaviour to their nearest police station and to the department.

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