14 July 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the greater Kimberley area said it is fully prepared and on high alert to ensure law and order during the planned peaceful march scheduled for 14 July 2025. The police said law enforcement authorities appeal to all participants and residents to act within the confines of the law to safeguard the safety and security of all community members.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson,
Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said unlawful conduct, including damage to property or harm to individuals, will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate action. Ehlers said all necessary resources have been mobilised and deployed to monitor activities and to maintain public order throughout the course of the march.
“The SAPS will not allow lawlessness and acts of criminality. Those who are found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly,” she said.
Picture: One of families receive a house from North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi
By BAKANG MOKOTO
14 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has fulfilled a promise he made last year by handing over houses to two destitute families in Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa, as part of build-up to his department’s Budget Vote that will be held later this month. Molapisi said the generous gesture was made possible through a successful partnership between the Department of Human Settlements and one developer contracted by the department to build houses in the area.
He further said the developer is said to be competent in the construction of houses with credible track record for constructing low cost houses for the department. Speaking during the handover, Molapisi added that it is through collaboration between the public and private sectors that they will be able to address the housing backlog and ensure that people have access to safe, affordable, and dignified living spaces.
“Today, we have brought back the dignity of the Setshogela and Montshabatho families. The houses we are handing over to them are a sign that our government continues to care about the plight of its people.
“This act of generosity has not only provided a safe and dignified shelter for the two vulnerable families but has also restored hope and a sense of belonging. It is through such meaningful interventions that lasting social change is achieved,” he said.
Molapisi said the donation of the houses comes at the right time ahead of the departmental budget vote, which will be held on 23 July 2025, where he will outline plans by the department to achieve the mandate of creating a sustainable human settlement for all the citizens of the North West. He said the department extends its heartfelt appreciation to the philanthropists for their continued unwavering commitment to social responsibility and for making a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need.
“Their contribution is a true example of the power of partnerships between the government, private sector and communities in building a better future for all.
Meanwhile, the handover was accompanied by other donations such as food parcels from the Department of Social Development, vegetable and seedlings from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and planting of trees in each household by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.
Receiving keys to the newly-built house, Kgomotso Ivy Setshogela, thanked the government and the contractor for gifting her family with the house. She said they now have a proper house structure to sleep in.
“I am grateful to the MEC and the contractor for affording me and my family shelter as I had long lost hope in our situation,” said Setshogela.
Setshogela (47) lives with 12 dependants in an old cracked house, which is on the brink of collapsing. The family survives through child support grants received by some of the children in the household.
Another house beneficiary was the jubilant, Mmiki Montshabatho (70) who also gave gratitude to the department and all those involved for gifting the family with the new house. Montshabatho said she is overjoyed with the gesture and hoped that this does not only end with them and the same should be extended to others in need as well.
“We are a family of nine and we have been staying in a one-roomed shack. We did not have access to any government benefits such as grants and healthcare as we face challenges with civil documentation,” she said.
14 Phukwi 2025- Banna ba le babedi ba solofetswe go tlhagelelwa kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Se, se tla morago ga dipego tsa gore banna ba le bane ba ba neng ba tlhometse, ba itelekele kwa ntlung ya motswasetlhabelo, Keitumetse Lenah Lebitsa (43), mme ba mo tshware poo.
Tiragalo e, ke ya ka Lamatlhatso kwa motseng wa Matsheng, gaufi le Taung. Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba tsaya dilwana tsa mo ntlung ga mmogo le madi a seatleng.
Go begwa fa sepodisi se ile sa sala morago motlhala wa banna ba, mme ba tshwara ba le babedi ba bone.
14 July 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a Commission of Inquiry to probe explosive allegations levelled against Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Judiciary and some of Members of Parliament (MPs). This came after the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that some politicians and prosecutors are in bed with criminals.
Ramphosa further said the matter raised concerns the security of the country, the integrity of the law enforcement agencies and the safety of the people. He added that Mkhwanazi alleged that there is an existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa.
“Mkhwanazi alleged that Mhcunu interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with business people, including a murder accused, to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Mkhwanazi also said that a police investigation by the task team in Gauteng unmasked a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel, which involves politicians, law enforcement officials from the SAPS, metro police and correctional services, prosecutors and the judiciary, as well as business people,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the allegations made in this media briefing raise serious concerns around the constitution, the rule of law and national security. Ramaphosa said these allegations, if proven true, threaten to undermine the confidence of South Africans in the ability of the South African Police Service to protect them and to effectively fight crime and corruption.
“South Africans are concerned about corruption and the rise of criminality in our country, which manifests itself in the killing of innocent people, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), gang violence, kidnappings, construction mafia criminality and many others.
“As we intensify the fight against crime, it is vital that we safeguard the integrity and credibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies. These allegations therefore call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation. To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga,” he said.
Ramaphosa said Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC. He said the Commission will investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.
“Among the allegations that the Commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime, suppression or manipulation of investigations, inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership, commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistle-blowers or officials resisting criminal influence.
“The Commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity, failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings, or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate’s operations,” said Ramaphosa.
He said these institutions are the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. Ramahosa said the Commission will also investigate whether any members of the National Executive responsible for the criminal justice system, were complicit, aided and abetted, or participated in the acts mentioned above.
“The Commission will be asked to report on the effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms, and the adequacy of current legislation, policies and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration.
“It will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform. Once established, the Commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies,” he said.
Ramaphosa said where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations. He said the Commission will have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.
“It is critical that these matters be attended to with the necessary urgency and thoroughness. The Commission is expected to complete its work and submit a final report to the President. Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months respectively.
“The final report of the Commission will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice. Madlanga is retiring from the Constitutional Court at the end of July 2025, after years of distinguished service, and will therefore be able to give his full time and attention to the work of this commission,” said Ramaphosa.
He said in order for the Commission to execute its functions effectively, he has decided to put the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect. Ramaphosa said Mchunu has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the Commission to enable it to do its work.
“I have decided to appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police. Cachalia is currently a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand and is the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council.
“He previously served as an MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng. I am appointing Cachalia in terms of Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to select no more than two Ministers from outside the National Assembly,” said Ramaphosa.
He said Cachalia will be retiring from his current position at the University of Witwatersrand at the end of July. Ramaphosa said he will appoint an acting Minister from within the Cabinet until Cachalia takes up his post at the beginning of August.
“This Commission is being established against the backdrop of significant progress in rebuilding and strengthening our country’s law enforcement agencies and security services. In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption.
“It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work. We will ensure that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to function without hindrance as the commission undertakes its work,” he said.
Ramaphosa calls on all members of the law enforcement agencies and security services to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and adhering to their code of conduct. He calls on all South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require.
“In establishing this Commission of Inquiry, we are affirming our commitment to the rule of law, to transparency and accountability, and to building a South Africa in which all people are safe and secure,” said Ramaphosa.
14 July 2025- The North West University (NWU) has launched a ground-breaking Family and Child Forensic Unit (FCFU) within the Centre of Health and Human Performance’s Care2Kids Centre, a first-of-its-kind initiative that brings hope and healing to families navigating trauma and complex legal matters. Spearheaded by Professor Cornelia Wessels, a pioneer in the field of forensic social work, the unit is the latest evolution in NWU’s long-standing commitment to child protection and evidence-based social work.
Wessels said the foundation for this specialised discipline was laid when the NWU became the first university in South Africa to offer a master’s degree in forensic practice for social workers. She said the FCFU offers evidence-based forensic assessments and therapy to children and parents, with the court as the primary client. Services include expert guidance in divorce cases and sensitive support in cases involving sexual abuse.
“The unit works closely with prosecutors, legal professionals, and the broader justice system to ensure a child-centred, multidisciplinary response. In divorce cases, the unit provides therapy, mediation, and parental guidance, with a strong emphasis on communication and emotional reintegration, especially in families with neurodiverse children.
“In sexual abuse cases, the unit addresses a critical gap in South Africa’s legal landscape by delivering forensic assessments that are admissible in court and designed to support successful prosecutions,” said Wessels.
She further said beyond its vital service to the community, the FCFU also plays a significant academic role by supporting postgraduate training and research, both nationally and internationally. Wessels added that rooted in the principle of acting in the best interest of the child, the NWU’s new unit is not only a beacon of professional excellence, but a compassionate lifeline for those most in need.
The Guardian 