Daily Archives: July 9, 2025

Additional accused arrested in R7m transformer theft case

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Picture: Transformer theft case accused in court

By BAKANG MOKOTO

9 July 2025- The Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to three officials from the City of Tshwane who are accused of stealing a transformer valued at R7 million. Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve was granted bail of R35,000, while Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal were each granted bail of R30,000.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said all three are facing a charge of theft of essential infrastructure, relating to a transformer stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium. Mahanjana said it is alleged that on the afternoon of 7 November 2024, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and SAPS, responded to a tip-off about a theft in progress at the substation.

“Upon arrival, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle on-site. When no proof of work authorisation could be provided, eleven people were arrested. Ten were later released from custody.

“Another City of Tshwane official, Madimetja Jacob Malebane (38), who was also arrested at the scene, appeared in court on 28 November 2024 and was released on bail. During investigations by the police, it was found that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi had fled the scene before police arrived,” she said.

Mahanjana further said warrants of arrest were issued, and the three were arrested at their respective workplaces on 1 July 2025. She added that in court, the state did not oppose their release on bail.

Prosecutor Grace Komane submitted an affidavit from Investigating Officer Sergeant Thabo Lukhele, stating that the accused had cooperated with the police, are permanently employed by the City of Tshwane, and therefore they do not pose as a flight risk. Komane said the affidavit also noted that the investigation is nearly complete, with most witness statements already collected.

The case was postponed to 11 July 2025 for the Schedule 6 opposed bail application of a fourth accused, Katlego Molepo (32), who is facing the same charge. Molepo, alleged to be the buyer of the stolen transformer, handed himself over to the Atteridgeville Police Station on 6 July 2025.

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Winter Camps in full swing in the North West Province

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 July 2025- The North West Department of Education said it has rolled out its flagship Winter Camps Programme for Grade 12 learners across the province from 27 June 2025. The department said a total of 124 camps have been established catering to 31,159 learners.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said camps are designed to assist learners in revising critical subject content and bridging learning gaps ahead of the final examinations. Motsumi said these camps operate in two formats, residential and walk-in.

“So, 112 centres are residential and provide full-day academic support with overnight accommodation, while 12 centres function as walk-in camps, where learners return home after lessons.

“To ensure learner safety and wellbeing, schools have proactively engaged nearby clinics and hospitals to provide emergency support services during the camp period,” she said.

She further said her department is committed to improve matric outcomes. Motsumi added that, camps are more than just revision.

“They are a critical intervention to ensure that no learner is left behind. We do this with the door purpose of closing learning gaps and building confidence before year-end exams.

“We applaud all our educators and support teams who are working tirelessly during the winter break,” said Motsumi.

Adding to Motsumi’s expression, the recently appointed Superintendent-General of the Department, Lengane Bogatsu, highlighted the importance of intensified learner support initiatives.

“As I mentioned in my introductory speech, one of my key focus areas as I assume office is to intensify the department’s learner support mechanisms. Winter camps are a vital tool in improving results. They offer learners the opportunity to engage meaningfully with subject content in a focused environment, away from distractions. This is the kind of academic discipline we want to nurture,” said Bogatsu.

Meanwhile, the camps will run until 18 July 2025 and the department said it takes this time to encourage parents, communities, and school management teams to continue supporting learners throughout the programme.

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SAUCIC welcomes R1.2bn disaster relief allocation for flood victims

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Picture: Eastern Cape floods/Google

By REGINALD KANYANE

9 July 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Wednesday welcomed the allocation of R1.2 billion earmarked for disaster relief across municipalities in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape as well as Kwa-Zulu Natal applauding measures put in place to ensure accountability. The allocation is against an estimated R6.3 billion needed for affected municipalities in the three provinces.

SAUCIC President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department (COGTA) had earlier in the week announced that the first R151 million is to be released this month, followed by R798 million in August with the Eastern Cape set to receive the largest share of R504 million. Should commended strict controls that COGTA has put in place to track how funds were used, the progress of repairs and the quality of reconstruction.

“The monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and stringent measures put in place within the framework of the District Development Model (DDM) will deter opportunistic and corrupt elements that cannot resist the temptation to benefit at the expense of the plight of victims that have been left destitute.

“We express hope that the mobilized resources will alleviate the plight of victims particularly those left homeless who have to rebuild their lives,” he said.

Shole further said reconstruction must be characterised by integrity, transparency and delivery of quality infrastructure to ensure that there is no collusion, corruption and unnecessary delays during project implementation. He added SAUCIC had in the aftermath of the Eastern Cape disaster that claimed over 103 lives and left over 5000 homeless, commended government’s speedy intervention and appealed for compassion for victims.

“Coordination led by the Office of the Premier, COGTA and Departments of Human Settlements, Transport and Social Development had resulted in restoration of critical services such as water, electricity as well as roll-out of relief effort.

“The declaration of a State of Disaster to assist flood victims as well as deployment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) assisted by humanitarian organisations like the Gift of the Givers bolstered search including recovery operations within the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities,” said Shole.

He said while the integrated government-wide responsiveness is commended, they applaud the role played by churches and traditional leaders in counselling families that lost their loved ones as part of supporting the Department of Social Development to render psycho social support. Shope emphasised that partnership between government, Faith-based organisations as well as civil society organisations is necessary for community development and tackling crisis of this nature including social ills together.

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Umkhonto WeSizwe Party in North West calls for Mkhwanazi’s protection

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Picture: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

By OBAKENG MAJE

9 July 2025- The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in North West said it stands firmly with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The party described Mkhwanazi as a brave and principled police leader, who has exposed the deep and dangerous connections between political leaders and organised crime.

MKP provincial convenor, Alfred Motsi said they are disturbed by recent political attacks directed at Mkhwanazi, especially from ANC-aligned figures following his public statements linking high-profile individuals to criminal syndicates and political assassinations. Motsi said Mkhwanazi’s courage in exposing these networks must be protected — not punished.

“In the North West, we have already witnessed the deadly consequences of political corruption and silence. Moss Phakoe, a respected Rustenburg Local Municipality councillor and anti-corruption activist, was assassinated shortly after submitting a dossier to then-President Jacob Zuma.

“The dossier exposed rampant corruption in the Rustenburg Local Municipality. Instead of being protected, Phakoe was silenced — killed for doing the right thing,” he said.

Motsi further said a prominent businessman, the Wandile Bozwana, was murdered after the Constitutional Court ruled that he must be paid for completed work at Brits Hospital. He added that the North West Premier at the time refused to pay and dragged the matter through the courts.

“Bozwana’s assassination is widely believed to be politically motivated, and his name was specifically referenced by Mkhwanazi when speaking about political interference and corruption.

“These are not isolated incidents. These are targeted attacks — part of a broader pattern to eliminate those who expose corruption, refuse to participate in looting, or stand up to political mafias,” said Motsi.

He said the uMkhonto weSizwe Party in the North West demands the immediate protection for Mkhwanazi and other whistleblowers. Motsi said they demand a full investigation into the assassinations of Moss Phakoe Wandile Bozwana, and the political figures behind them.

“We demand accountability from ANC leaders who are linked to, or benefit from, the silencing of truth-tellers. In response, the MKP will begin mobilising ground forces, members and communities across the North West to agree on a date for a complete provincial shutdown.

“This mass action will be a peaceful, but firm demonstration of solidarity with Mkhwanazi and a demand for justice for Phakoe and Bozwana. We will not allow political gangsters to continue operating with impunity. We stand for truth, justice, and a government that serves the people — not criminal networks,” he said.

Meanwhile, embattled Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu said in response to the recent allegations made by Mkhwanazi, and while respecting the President’s call for calm, he feels it is important to clarify that he has never met Vusimuzi Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has ever requested or received anything from him.

Mchunu said did however, initiate a review of the SAPS tender awarded to him when suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced.

“It was the same tender which has since been terminated. Furthermore, whilst I know and has met Brown Mogotsi, he is just a comrade and not an associate. I had never requested or received anything from him,” he said.

However, a few months ago, Mchunu told Parliament that he does not know Mogotsi and never met with him.

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‘Municipalities should ensure water reaches residents’

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Picture: The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

9 July 2025- The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina said municipalities are responsible for reticulation and ensuring that water reaches the homes of residents. Majodina who tabled the departmental budget today in Parliament said, it is important for government officials to understand the value chain of water provision so that they can properly guide members of the community, whenever issues of water are raised in their constituencies.

She further said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on 6 February 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “An urgent priority is to ensure a secure and reliable supply of water across the country. Many people in our cities, towns and villages are experiencing more and more frequent water shortages as a result of failing water infrastructure.

“It is impossible to live without water and it is impossible for the economy to grow without water.”

Majodina said Ramaphosa declared water as an immediate crisis and made a firm and unequivocal commitment for the government to take a series of decisive actions to resolve the water crisis. She further said perhaps at this point, they must restate the point that as a national department, they are responsible for bulk water supply and water resources.

“You will recall that we held a Water and Sanitation Indaba on 27 and 28 March 2025, which was attended by delegates from national government and national 2 entities, provincial government, the municipalities which are water services authorities, SALGA, the private sector, and water and sanitation experts. 

“The Indaba unanimously agreed on a set of practical resolutions related to delivery or implementation models. There are five pillars identified such as increasing investment through financing options, ensuring the financial viability of the sector, enhancing and strengthening technical and operational capacity and efficiency,” said Majodina.

She added that this includes building partnerships through building water sensitive and resilient communities and fighting criminality and corruption in the water and sanitation sector.

“The Infrastructure Fund which was established by Ramaphosa has been assisting the department to put in place such blended finance projects. Secondly, we identified a need to diversify the water mix and increasingly make use of other sources of water, including increased sustainable use of groundwater, seawater desalination, and water reuse.

“In this regard, the department is providing funding for groundwater projects through its grants in many different municipalities, including in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in the North West, Oudtshoorn Local Municipality in the Western Cape, Dikgatlong Local Municipality in the Northern Cape and Thaba Chweu in the Free State,” she said. 

Majodina said in addition, their Water Partnerships Office is assisting various water services authorities to put in place partnerships with the private sector for waste water reuse projects, including for the Umhloti, Umkomaas, Northern and Kwa-Mashu wastewater treatment works in eThekwini. She said this includes the Olifantsfontein and Waterval waste water treatment works in Ekurhuleni, the Rooiwal waste water treatment works in Tshwane; the Sebokeng waste water treatment works in Emfuleni, the Pelsvale waste water treatment works in Rand West City, the waste water treatment works in Outeniqua and the waste water treatment works in George.

“More municipalities are starting to develop seawater desalination projects, including Overstrand, Saldanha Bay and the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape, the City of eThekwini in KZN, and Ndlambe municipality in the Eastern Cape.   

“Thirdly, we made an undertaking to continue to monitor the implementation of more effective water conservation and demand management programmes to bring our water consumption per capita levels in line with, or below, the international average, and to ensure that industries use water as sparingly as possible,” said Majodina.

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COPE appoints Teboho Loate as its new acting Deputy President

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

9 July 2025- The Congress National Committee (CNC) of the Congress of the People (COPE) has appointed Teboho Loate as acting Deputy President, effective immediately, following the vacancy in that capacity. COPE said Loate is a seasoned and highly respected anti-apartheid activist and founding member of COPE.

COPE acting national chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi said Loate brings a wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to the struggle for democracy, freedom, and development. Dikgetsi said his deep knowledge and loyalty to the party’s vision makes him the ideal leader to carry forward the party’s vision.

“The CNC has expressed its full confidence in Comrade Loate’s ability to lead with integrity and dedication, ensuring COPE’s rebuilding programme and that it remains steadfast in its mission to serve the people of South Africa,” he said.

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New Urban agenda all of Society workshop delegates to engage with Yarona Rapid Transport System

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Picture: Yarona Rapid Buses

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 July 2025- Delegates attending the National Department of Human Settlements and New Urban Agenda “All of Society Stakeholder Workshop” are expected to engage with the Ya Rona Rapid Transport System as they gather cross-section perspectives on the urbanisation process in South African cities and towns.

The department said the country is in the process of formulating a report that reviews the implementation of government policy on the Integrated Urban Development Framework over the last five years, taking stock of current realities and what can be done for the next five-year period.

The acting Director: International Relations, Dr Lwandiso Mpepho, said this is an opportunity for various stakeholders to discuss and share their experiences in cities, towns, and villages, and contribute to planning for the future. Mpepho said the first day of the engagement will be spent on understanding the context and background for the formulation of South Africa’s 2026 report to UN-Habitat for a review and progress about the country’s implementation of the New Urban Agenda and site visits to learn from projects in the province.

“The second day will involve discussions with various stakeholders to provide their experiences for inclusion in the report. The workshops also create a platform for delegates to review their past performances, plan for the future of their cities, towns, and villages for the progressive realisation of sustainable development.

“As part of the process to compile the report, the department is also calling for impactful initiatives from communities, municipalities, NGOs, businesses and individuals that support better housing, inclusive cities, basic services, or climate action to submit their projects for possible inclusion on the report,” he said.

Mpepho further said 20 projects will be selected and featured in the national report, gaining exposure both locally and internationally and the submission deadline for this is 16 July 2025. He added that individuals can submit their story on the Google Form: https://forms.gle/mhCFX1APd8fbs1hr9

“Background information on the New Urban Agenda and the Integrated Urban Development Framework can be accessed using these links: SA-NUA-REPORT-final-15122022-compressed.pdf,” said Mpepho.

He said they can also use IUDF – Integrated Urban Development Framework IUDF-2016_WEB-min.pdf. According to Mpepho, the event will be held at Rustenburg Civic Centre from 10 until 11 July 2025 from 8am.

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Lesotho man sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for killing his girlfriend

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By REGINALD KANYANE

9 July 2025- A Lesotho national was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Stilfontein Regional Court for killing his girlfriend, Mpho Gift Mphatsoe (29). The accused, Aaron Matete (23) was also sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act of 2002.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the court also declared Matete unfit to possess a firearm. Gunya said the incident occurred on 12 October 2024, following an argument between Matete and Mphatsoe at their home in Khuma Township.

“The evidence presented in court revealed that Matete assaulted the deceased with a beer bottle, striking her in the face. As the violence escalated, he repeatedly stabbed her on the head and neck with a knife, resulting in her death.

“After the brutal attack, Matete left the deceased’s body in the house overnight and only reported the incident to Mphatsoe’s mother the following morning. The police were called to the scene, where they found her body with multiple stab wounds and bloodstains,” he said.

Gunya further said Matete was arrested shortly thereafter and remained in custody throughout the trial. He said despite pleading not guilty, he was convicted based on compelling evidence led by the prosecution.

In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Chris Kok urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, citing the alarming rise in murder cases. Kock also noted that Khuma is among the communities grappling with high levels of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with some of the perpetrators being foreign nationals, including those from Lesotho.

Welcoming the sentence, Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended the prosecutor, investigating officer, and all role-players involved in ensuring justice is served. Makhari expressed hope that the judgment would serve as a deterrent against GBV in South Africa.

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DA debates against Simelane’s Budget

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Picture: Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane

By OBAKENG MAJE

9 July 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) today said it debated against the Budget tabled by the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane because she came to the NCOP under a ‘cloud of crime and corruption’. The DA said it will not allow Simelane a platform to sweep this under the carpet.

The DA’s Member of Parliament (MP), Ofentse Mokae said they will oppose her department budget vigorously until President Ramaphosa removes her from office. Mokae said Ramaphosa continues to take zero action against ANC Ministers implicated in corruption, crime and lying to Parliament.

“Simelane is now under criminal investigation for the Vitrovian scandal, where Eskom was fleeced of R700 000 through fake invoices and ghost employees. Ramaphosa’s lack of action against ANC Ministers involved in criminal matters proves that the ANC harbours and protects crime and corruption.

“Many South Africans have been waiting for housing since 1996, despite years of delivery. The department must urgently digitise the housing allocation list to prevent fraud and corruption,” he said.

Mokae further said the Emergency Housing Response Fund is being abused and must be tightly controlled and more agile.

He added that Northern Cape housing projects face major delays and cost pressures that need ministerial intervention.

“Ethical leadership is essential – public officials must serve with integrity and accountability,” said Mokae.

The DA’s Member of Parliament (MP), Rikus Badenhorst said Simelane is under active police investigation and should not oversee a R34 billion budget. Badenhorst said her record includes alleged corruption linked to Eskom ghost workers and Kusile deals.

“The department’s credibility is compromised, while she remains, risking housing delivery targets. Despite real budget cuts and backlogs, leadership under a cloud cannot inspire trust.

“The DA supports housing investment, but not under tainted leadership – the Minister must be fired,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DA’s Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Gauteng, Mervyn Cirota said: “There is widespread corruption, irregular expenditure, and procurement fraud within the department. Mega housing projects are stalled due to municipalities misusing grant funds for unrelated issues.

“Forensic reports reveal deep-rooted malfeasance, with little action taken to hold officials accountable. Gauteng’s housing crisis mirrors national dysfunction – corruption at the top enables it below.”

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Motsumi to hand over newly-built school

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Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 July 2025- In the efforts to address the infrastructure backlogs experienced in the province, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she will hand over a newly-built school to the community. Motsumi said the handover will take place at Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa on 10 July 2025 at 9am.

“The handover programme will be rolled out even to other districts. The department is optimistic about addressing the infrastructure backlogs experienced in the province.

“My key priority is to ensure that we improve the conditions of learning and teaching of our children. This programme will be multiplied to reach out to other districts,” she said.

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