Daily Archives: July 9, 2025

871 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Some of dagga seized by the police/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

9 July 2025 – The police in North West, working together with other law enforcement agencies, said they will continue to put suspects behind bars through Operation Shanela. This comes after suspects were apprehended between 30 June and 6 July 2025, for various crimes.

The police said the suspects were arrested for robbery aggravating, murder, attempted murder, assault common and with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglary on business and residential premises and many others.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said additionally, 30 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. Myburgh said out of 871 suspects, 319 suspects were wanted and nabbed during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.

“The police were able to shut down 20 unlicensed taverns/liquor stores and arrested 41 suspects for driving under the influence of liquor.  The fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) continues to be a primary objective of the police, whereby 27 suspects were arrested for rape, 52 for possession of dangerous weapons and 218 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and common assault around the province.

“In the province, a total of 96 arrests were made for possession of drugs. At Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on Friday evening, 4 July 2025, information received led police to a house in Extension 5, where a man (37) was arrested after nearly 2kg of dagga was found in his possession,” she said.  

Myburgh further said the dagga and cash were seized by police. She added that, the suspect appeared before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 8 July 2025, on a charge of dealing in dagga.

“As part of the actions executed during the operations, 330 premises, 2884 persons and 948 vehicles were searched. The operation also led to the confiscation of alcohol, ten firearms, 144 rounds of ammunition, a variety of drugs and cash,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said the weekly High Density Operations, which are coordinated, conducted and commanded by District Commissioners and Senior Officers in the province, are gradually decreasing the high levels of crime particularly in the Province’s High Contact Crimes and Priority Crimes Police Stations with a few of the North West Police Stations now featuring on the National Top 30 high crime volumes Stations.

Asaneng said these targeted, intelligence led operations in identified hotspots are intended to address the proliferation of drugs, dangerous weapons, illegal firearms and liquor related crime.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Committee concerned about centralisation of SOEs

NEWS Leave a comment

By BAKANG MOKOTO

9 July 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has expressed significant concerns regarding the centralisation of state-owned entities (SOEs) as outlined in the National State Enterprises Bill (B1-2024). During a meeting on Wednesday, the committee received a briefing from the National Treasury (NT) and the Financial Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the Bill, which aims to develop a strategic approach to enhancing the governance and operational efficiency of SOEs.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Teliswa Mgweba said National Treasury highlighted critical issues, particularly the proposed non-application of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) to the holding company and its subsidiaries, which could undermine transparency and accountability in financial management. Mgweba said NT cautioned that the centralisation model poses risks, such as increased political interference and the potential for state capture, emphasising the importance of ensuring that SOEs remain financially sustainable without undue reliance on public funds.

“In its presentation, the FFC stated that it does not support the Bill in its current form, noting that it fails to address longstanding governance concerns experienced over the past 30 years.

“The FFC recommended that the holding company be established within the National Treasury’s budget baseline, in accordance with Sections 213 and 216 of the Constitution. During the questioning phase, committee members raised significant concerns about the centralisation issues presented in the Bill,” she said.

Mgweba further said they argued that a centralised model could lead to a lack of transparency and accountability, making it more vulnerable to corruption and political interference. He added that members highlighted that consolidating oversight of SOEs under a single holding company might exacerbate existing vulnerabilities rather than mitigate them, potentially creating an environment where decision-making becomes opaque and less subject to scrutiny.

“Additionally, there were worries that centralisation could undermine the transformative goals for SOEs, distancing them from the necessary checks and balances that ensure equitable governance and public accountability.

“The committee members expressed a strong sentiment that the Bill, as it stands, does not adequately protect the interests of the public or ensure the effective functioning of SOEs. Members highlighted the importance of maintaining robust oversight mechanisms to prevent the erosion of accountability, particularly given the historical context of governance challenges within SOEs,” said Mgweba.

She said members voiced their commitment to ensuring that any legislative framework promotes transparency and fosters public trust, arguing that the proposed centralisation could lead to a concentration of power that is detrimental to democratic principles. Mgweba said while the National Treasury did not explicitly call for the Bill to be withdrawn in its current form, it acknowledged the necessity for reworking the legislation.

“The committee flagged the risk that the holding company could be controlled by multinational corporations, raising concerns that Parliament might enact a law that leaves the state powerless in managing public funds effectively.

“Members articulated a shared apprehension that the proposed changes could inadvertently enable the very issues the Bill seeks to address, further complicating the governance landscape for SOEs,” she said.

Mgweba said the committee also raised alarms about the fiscal risks associated with establishing the holding company, particularly the significant funding requirement of R615 million. She said members expressed scepticism regarding the feasibility of the innovative funding mechanisms proposed.

“Furthermore, committee members indicated that the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) appears to be circumventing the public procurement process, suggesting that the DPME’s approach could remove SOEs from the public procurement environment altogether.

“In response to the FFC’s presentation, the committee welcomed their directness, contrasting it with the more diplomatic approach taken by the National Treasury. Following a robust engagement among committee members regarding the next steps for the Bill, there was a prevailing view to pause its progress in light of the presentations received,” said Mgweba.

She said the committee resolved to seek further guidance and legal advice, as there was overwhelming sentiment among members to halt the process, despite the Bill already being before the committee.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Police Trainee Recruitment Drive Continues

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: SAPS members during parade

By REGINALD KANYANE

9 July 2025- The police in Northern said are currently embarking on the e-recruitment drive that envisages to employ 5 500 entry level Police Trainees across the country and invite applications from all races, gender who are dedicated, energetic, intelligent, physically and mentally fit to pursue a career in the SAPS.

The police said national online processes commenced on 30 June 2025, but in the Northern Cape the e-recruitment drive awareness campaign kicked off on 2 and 3 July 2025 in Roodepan and Platfontein, Kimberley at a career expo spearheaded by Department of Social Development and attended by government departments and the Sol Plaatje University. 

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the campaign is continuing during July 2025. Kock said the SAPS Provincial Human Resource Utilization Recruitment Officials and Provincial Corporate Communication and Liaison officials are conducting live radio interviews at the local radio stations such as XK FM, Radio Teemaneng, Revival Fm, City Radio, Ulwazi FM, Kaboesna FM, NFM and Radio Riverside, to inform the community of the SAPS vacancies and the activities of the SAPS E-recruitment drive.

“Please be on the lookout for the SAPS E-recruitment team and catch the activities in all five Districts in the Northern Cape and at Malls, shopping centres, community halls and police stations doing outreaches, motorcades, radio interviews, distributing e-recruitment and SAPS career pamphlets in the towns and cities mentioned.

“The team is informing the communities on the application criteria and how to apply as this is the first time that the applications are only online on the South African Police Service website: https://www.saps.gov.za. and they should click on the careers link,” he said.

Kock further said the step-by-step guide to apply for utilizing the SAPS electronic recruitment system are,

✅Register your account on the SAPS site.

✅Enter your profile details through the Profile User page.

✅Log into your account.

✅On the home page, browse to the SAPS vacancy page link.

✅Locate and select the job you want to apply for( i.e. TRAINEE2025/2026)

✅Enter personal details through the multi steps application process and submit your application.

He said the key generic requirements are as follows:

✅The applicant must be in possession of a grade 12 school certificate.

✅No previous criminal record.

✅No visible tattoos.

✅Be a citizen of South Africa.

✅Be between 18 and 35 years old.

✅Submit to undergo physical fitness, integrity, psychometric and medical assessment and SAPS training.

✅Be prepared to work anywhere in South Africa.

“The closing date is 18 July 2025. Successful candidates will undergo a 21-month Basic Police Development Learning Program (BPDLP) and receive a stipend of R4500 with applicable benefits.

“Upon successful completion of the BPDLP, the constable will earn R238 629 per annum. The successful candidates will serve as functional police officials with the core function to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order,” said Kock.

He said the police are expected to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, uphold and enforce the law. Kock said SAPS in the Northern Cape continues to encourage all that meet the criteria to apply and make the SAPS their career of choice.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Grandmother nabbed for fraud granted bail

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The accused, Rossyln Crossingham/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

9 July 2025- The grandmother (72) briefly appeared at the Douglas Magistrate’s Court for fraud and alternative theft. This comes after the accused, Rossyln Crossingham was arrested by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in the early hours of today.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said it is alleged that during 2012, the accused was a co-director of the company named Rowen Tree 60 Pty Ltd with two other directors. Mnisi said Crossingham allegedly withdrew an application for renewal of prospecting mining rights, which was in the process at the Department of Minerals Resource and Energy (DMRE).

“Later in 2015, Crossingham together with her co-directors, resolved to sell the company and the withdrawn prospecting mining right to a known businessman in the Northern Cape for an amount of R100 000. After the conclusion of the sale agreement, but before the businessman could make payment, she sold the company to the complainant and withheld the letter withdrawing the prospecting mining rights, thereby misleading the complainant as though the prospecting mining right was valid and in good standing.

“Consequently, the complainant accepted the offer and paid an amount of R1 ‪368 000. After the complainant paid the monies to the seller of the rights, an amount of R100 000 was then paid to a personal account belonging to one of the Directors of Rowan Tree 60 Pty Ltd,” she said.

Mnisi further said the series of fraudulent transactions resulted in the complainant losing an amount of R1 ‪368 000. She added that more arrests are imminent.

“Crossingham was granted R15 000 bail and the case was postponed to 5 August 2025,” said Mnisi.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: The accused, Rossyln Crossingham/Supplied

Public urged to refrain from publishing unverified information  

NEWS Leave a comment

By AGISANANG SCUFF

9 July 2025- The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said after lodging an internal investigation, she can confirm that the details depicted in the social media post currently circulating is not that of Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, the Acting District Commissioner of John Taolo Gaetsewe District.

Otola said the investigation revealed that the details are not that of a public servant.

There are allegations that the person by the name of Kenneth Baloyi has close ties with the accused, Vusimuzi Matlala and he was once the Director of his company. According to allegations, the said Baloyi was appointed as a Captain in Kuruman Police Station due to his connection with Matlala.

“The police are making an urgent plea to the public to refrain from posting unverified or incorrect information on social media platforms without verification as it portrays negatively on the organization and implicated persons involved,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Directive from NA Speaker’s Office on Mkhwanazi’s allegations

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Kwazulu Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

By BAKANG MOKOTO

9 July 2025- The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said he has received the directive from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, mandating three committees to consider, on an urgent basis, in terms of their respective mandates, the wide-ranging allegations regarding security matters that have implications for the country’s national security made by the Kwazulu Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and then report to the National Assembly(NA).

“The mandate is clear and the committee will endeavour to urgently conclude the necessary processes to determine the parameters, format and structure of the envisaged process.

“But of utmost importance is the need for urgency in finalising modalities to set the process in motion. To this end, a legal opinion, which has already been requested, is necessary to ascertain the best possible approach,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Macpherson aims to stir DPWI to the right trajectory   

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson/Twitter

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 July 2025- The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson said they investigated failed or mismanaged projects such as the Telkom Towers project and the IDT Oxygen Plant tender and began the work of understanding why they failed. Macpherson said they have been repurposing public assets for the public good, including releasing unutilised state properties to be used as shelters for victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and launching a partnership with AgriSA and AgriBiz to support food security.

“We began cleaning up the department through lifestyle audits and a ghost employee audit. We have started reforming the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure it enables skills transfer and becomes a hand-up towards permanent employment,” he said.

Macpherson further said they know things are not yet perfect, but they are on the right track. He added that the exciting part is—they are only getting started.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP), Edwin Macrae Bath said they resoundingly backed Macpherson’s DPWI Budget, turning SA into a construction site. Bath said they debated in the National Assembly today in support of Macpherson’s Budget for the department, because it is succeeding in turning South Africa into a construction site – with new mega projects, an infrastructure boom and a R1 trillion investment plan.

“The DA celebrates that the department under Macpherson is cleaning out the rot inherited, with 400 senior officials undergoing lifestyle audits. The DA recognises the barnstorming success of Macpherson at fighting organised crime in the public works space where the “construction mafia” were holding projects ransom for personal gain.

“As projects of the department grow, delivering economic growth, Macpherson is a leading job creator in South Africa – which the DA is proud to endorse. New leadership has narrowed the department’s focus to jobs, lower living costs, and ethical governance,” Bath said.

He said the PMTE is finally showing results, with billions in property released and increased investment in maintenance. Bath said EPWP reforms and infrastructure projects are gaining traction, with over 1 million jobs targeted and R11 billion committed.

“Ethical leadership is being prioritised, with audits, advisory boards, and digital upgrades underway. The ‘Adopt-a-Municipality’ pilot links national support to local needs, improving services and creating jobs,” said Bath.

The DA Member of Parliament (MP), Erik Marais shared the same sentiments. Marais said the department leads all public infrastructure, guided by the National Infrastructure Plan 2025.

“Macpherson is driving ethical governance, investor confidence, and the #LetsBuildSA initiative. Government plans to invest over R1 trillion in infrastructure, including Salvokop and small harbour projects. EPWP targets 1 million jobs a year and supports long-term employment through skills training.

“The department must digitise procurement, tighten financial controls, and improve local oversight,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Committee welcomes Treasury reviews

NEWS Leave a comment

By REGINALD KANYANE

9 July 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration today welcomed the announcement by the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, to institute three critical spending reviews aimed at improving the efficiency, integrity and developmental impact of government expenditure.

The reviews, announced during the Minister’s budget vote debate, will focus on standardising the remuneration of executives and board members of public entities, auditing and eliminating ghost workers and investigating the persistent underspending and delivery failures associated with infrastructure conditional grants at the provincial and municipal levels.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Jan de Villiers said these reviews are not only welcome but long overdue. De Villers said they echo the committee’s consistent calls for a professionalised public service, one that is results-based, provides value for public money, and adopts a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, waste and political patronage.

“We support the development of a standardised remuneration framework for public entity executives and board members. Salaries must be fair, transparent and directly linked to the entity’s mandate, complexity and performance.

“There can be no justification for exorbitant pay packages where service delivery is in crisis or entities are failing. On the issue of ghost workers, we reaffirmed the committee’s view that this is not a minor administrative flaw, but a form of organised, systemic corruption that siphons off public funds and undermines trust in the state,” he said.

De Villiers said these are not invisible names on paper – these are real funds stolen from the public. He said the committee calls for these audits to lead to consequences.

“We want to see prosecutions, dismissals and systemic reform. The committee will continue to monitor this process closely, and a joint oversight meeting with the Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025.

“The committee also welcomed broader government efforts to professionalise the state, including the digitisation of human resource and payroll systems, the introduction of lifestyle audits and the rollout of skills audits within departments,” said de Villers.

He said this followed a briefing by the DPSA and the National School of Government this morning on the government’s progress in digitising the public service and aligning training and upskilling with departmental needs. De Villiers said the creation of a professional, merit-based and non-partisan public service is both constitutionally mandated and essential to improving service delivery for all South Africans.

“Skills audits are particularly critical as they allow us to assess whether departments are staffed appropriately and whether officials have the qualifications and competencies needed to fulfil their mandates.

“Responding to this morning’s briefing, the Chairperson said digitisation and upskilling will help empower officials and drive improved service delivery, particularly in under-resourced areas,” he said.

De Villiers said they must know not just who is employed in the public service, but whether they are fit for purpose. He said skills audits, alongside digital transformation and standardised pay, create an opportunity to reconfigure departments to meet the needs of the public better.

“Where upskilling is required, it must be supported. Where restructuring is needed, it must be done responsibly. The committee remains committed to actively overseeing these reviews, focusing on results rather than rhetoric.

“We are planning a joint meeting with the Department of Public Service and Administration and National Treasury in the third quarter of 2025 to obtain further updates, including a detailed progress update on the ghost worker audit, implementation of lifestyle audits and alignment between performance and pay in the public sector, as well as consequence management for those involved in fraud and maladministration,” said de Villiers.

He said they will not allow these reviews to become another policy gesture. De Villiers said they must be executed with urgency, rigour and public accountability.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

DA demands full accountability as Hawks probe culpable homicide

NEWS Leave a comment

By OBAKENG MAJE

9 July 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the handover of the Kommetjie investigation report to the Hawks is long overdue, but it is an essential first step toward justice. The DA said for months, secrecy has smothered this tragedy, fuelling suspicion and outrage.

The DA spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans and Member of Parliament (MP), Chris Hattingh said choosing to push ahead with a high-risk vertical transfer exercise, despite clear weather warnings and a blatant disregard for critical safety protocols, was more than reckless. Hattingh said it was a decision that cost lives.

He further said the evidence now confirms what many feared. Hattingh added that catastrophic failures in planning, risk management and operational oversight directly led to the deaths of Lieutenant-Commander Gillian Hector and her two colleagues.

“But, these were not isolated mistakes, they are the predictable consequence of a defence force stripped bare by years of financial neglect, collapsing capabilities, and absent leadership. This is what happens when critical skills are lost, equipment is left to rot, and operational safety becomes an afterthought.

“That the Hawks see possible grounds for culpable homicide charges underscores the gravity of the failings on that day. Justice delayed is justice denied. The families of the fallen deserve closure. South Africans deserve answers. If negligence is proven, those responsible must be held fully accountable, swiftly and without compromise,” he said.

Hattingh said the lives lost at Kommetjie must not become just another footnote in the SANDF’s growing list of avoidable tragedies. He said the DA will continue to fight for transparency and accountability in the SANDF.

“We will push relentlessly for the full truth around Kommetjie to be made public and for those responsible to face the consequences of their actions or inaction. Our armed forces must be rebuilt into a professional, well-led institution that protects both its own members and the people of South Africa. Kommetjie must mark a turning point, not another cover-up,” said Hattingh.

taungdailynews@gmail.com