Daily Archives: July 30, 2025

A man jailed for raping a girl with down syndrome

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

30 July 2025- A man, Thabo Xolani
Masoka (32) was sentenced to to life imprisonment for raping a girl (11) with Down syndrome. Masoka resided in the same block of flats as the victim and her mother.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the incident occurred on 18 September 2022. Mahanjana said the victim was with her mother at the mother’s salon on the premises when, at approximately 7:45pm, the mother began locking up.

“The victim started walking home, but minutes later, the mother arrived at their flat and realised the child was missing. With assistance from other residents, she searched for her daughter. A witness reported seeing the victim walking with Masoka to his flat.

“The mother and residents confronted Masoka at his flat, where they found the child sitting. When questioned, he said he does not know why she was there. The residents called the police and Masoka was arrested on the scene that day,” she said.

Mahanjana further said the state successfully
opposed his bail and he has remained in custody since. She added that, in court, Masoka pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and claiming the minor was his girlfriend, they had consensual sex and thought the victim was 17 years-old.

“However, the state prosecutor Andries Ntjana, presented evidence from a medical doctor and psychiatrist, which proved that the child lacked the capacity to consent. During sentencing, Masoka requested leniency, citing his three children and wife, whom he supports.

“Ntjana opposed this and said Masoka’s lacked remorse, he continued to maintain his innocence even after conviction. Furthermore, Ntjana said Masoka betrayed the mother’s trust since he was, and a neighbour meant to protect the child,” said Mahanjana.

Magistrate Lynn Pillay found no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, deeming life imprisonment appropriate.

Meanwhile, the NPA said it welcomes the life imprisonment sentence handed down. It said this ruling reaffirms the NPA’s unwavering commitment to delivering justice for the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly children with special needs who are often targeted due to their dependence and trust.

“The court’s decision to impose the prescribed minimum sentence, despite the accused’s pleas for leniency, underscores our resolute stance that no one is above the law, especially when it comes to gender-based violence (GBV) against defenceless victims,” said Manjana.

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Action taken against ‘rebellious’ councillors   

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By OBAKENG MAJE

30 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said they will continue to take decisive action to confront corruption, fraud and poor governance entrenched in various municipalities across the province.

Molapisi said in terms of Section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000), and in his capacity as the MEC responsible for Local Government, he has authorised investigations into serious allegations of maladministration, fraud, corruption and other irregularities in the Greater Taung, City of Matlosana and Madibeng Local Municipalities.

“In the case of Greater Taung Local Municipality, the investigation was triggered by persistent instability within the municipal council, which rendered it incapable of discharging its statutory responsibilities. The investigation is completed and remedial actions have been instituted against those councillors who have been implicated.

“We can confirm that the municipality is now stable and is able to execute its executive obligations. In the City of Matlosana, the investigation followed irregularities within governance and administrative structures,” he said.

Molapisi further said the investigation was completed at the end of 2024/2025 financial year. He added that the report will soon be communicated to the council and the findings implemented.

“On 15 July 2025 – we invoked Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act to investigate allegations of maladministration and malfeasance in Madibeng Local Municipality.

“I met with the council to introduce the appointed law firm which will conduct the investigations. During the meeting, councillors have thrown their weight behind the investigations,” said Molapisi. 

He said the findings will be finalized within three months and shared with all stakeholders for action. Molapisi said the investigation is part of a broader drive to restore ethical governance, rebuild public confidence and ensure that municipalities truly serve the people.  

“EXCO has also resolved to invoke Section 139 (1)(a) of the Constitution in Mamusa and Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipalities. The decision has been communicated to both municipalities and is therefore expected to implement the directives and submit monthly reports to the department. 

On 13 December 2023, 26 municipal councillors in the Greater Taung Local Municipality, allegedly convened a special council sitting in the absence of municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai and municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane, where they elected Lerato Babuseng as the new Chief Whip, Kealeboga Seboko as the new municipal speaker and Onkarabile Tong as the new mayor.

The latter accused the former of widespread corruption and maladministration. They alleged that this has affected the smooth running of the municipality and forced Moipolai to request intervention from the then North West MEC for COGHSTA, Nono Maloyi.

Meanwhile, the Action SA councillor, Mika Moeti said he is not aware of the report and he cannot comment.

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Dantjie to visit Taung Treatment Centre

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Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie

By BAKANG MOKOTO

30 July 2025- As Mandela month draws to a close, the North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, is scheduled to lead a Letsema Cleaning Campaign at a state-run treatment centre in Taung on 31 July 2025, at 9am. Dantjie said the treatment centre, which is situated in Taung hospital premises, has been established to meet the growing demand for inpatient rehabilitation services, particularly for individuals affected by substance use disorders.

“In June this year, the department admitted seven service users at the centre to start the process of rehabilitation. The state-run treatment centre has ten beds for females and ten for men service users.

“The centre has an occupancy certificate and it is conditionally registered for a period of 12 months to render rehabilitation services to clients in line with the Prevention of and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008,” she said.

Dantjie further said since 2018, officials at the centre have been rendering community based services to clients with substance use disorders to the entire Dr Ruth Segomotsi District. She added that their services include screening of clients, counselling of individuals and families at various homes, referral of clients with dual diagnosis to psychiatric wards for treatment and conducting awareness campaigns on substance abuse. 

“During my visit, we will monitor the centre by doing walkabouts, meeting the service users and lead a cleaning campaign to mark the closing of Nelson Mandela month,” said Dantjie.

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SASSA to assist beneficiaries during August cycle

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 July 2025- The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Themba Matlou has issued a clarion call for assistance of beneficiaries during August 2025 payment cycle 30 July 2025.  Matlou said SASSA has called for an all hands-on deck approach to executives and senior managers across nine regions to lend a helping hand to all beneficiaries, who have been identified for review in the August payment cycle.

Matlou further said this comes as he tries to enhance operations at local offices in efforts to ensure that beneficiaries are not severely inconvenienced when they present themselves for social grants review in the coming few days.

“We intend to assist all our clients to have their grants reviewed as seamlessly as possible so that no one leaves our offices without being assisted and being burdened with back and forth. It is for this reason that we want everyone, especially at the senior level to get their hands dirty as well and be on the ground to assist our important clients.

“Showing empathy towards social grants beneficiaries who bear the brunt of long queues, I expect even officials at the upper echelons of the Agency to play an active role and ensure timely support for those who may need assistance,” he added.  

Matlou said throughout the payment period and beyond, he has asked the executives and senior managers to be visible to clients, ensuring that enquiries regarding the 4th payment date are addressed promptly and professionally. He said the ongoing social grants reviews has put a spotlight on them as an organisation and tested their capacity to handle the inflow to their local offices.

“We are addressing some of the challenges that we have picked up in the last few months. Whilst the majority of payments will proceed without any hindrance, we want to ensure that we leave no room for tardiness at the expense of the vulnerable.

“It is important to understand that, social grant reviews are the best tool to safeguard government fiscus, thus ensuring that social grants are paid to the eligible beneficiaries while strengthening the integrity of the system and curbing fraudulent activities internally and externally.

“In addition, he urged all SASSA beneficiaries to not be alarmed and heed the call to have their grants reviewed so that their personal details can also be updated for ease of communication going forward.

“Beneficiaries who have been affected by the grants review are encouraged to visit their nearest SASSA Local Office and bring their valid South African ID (13-digit barcoded ID or smart ID card), proof of income (e.g. payslips, pension slips, or affidavits if no longer employed or employment discharge confirmations),” said Matlou.

He said this includes bank statements (last 3 months)– for all active bank accounts, proof of residence (e.g. utility bill or letter from a local authority), marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable), death certificate (if some death has occurred for example child, spouse etc) and any other supporting documents relevant to their grant type (e.g., birth certificates for Child Support Grants, school attendance proof for Foster Care Grants).

“For more information, visit http://www.sassa.gov.za 11 or Grant Enquiries@sassa.gov.za,” said Matlou.

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Mokgosi to launch North West Growth Hub

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Picture: The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi 

By REGINALD KANYANE

30 July 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will officially launch the North West Growth Hub on 31 July 2025, at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, in Gauteng. Mokgosi said this strategic milestone is set to significantly enhance the province’s digital marketing and branding capacity, positioning the North West as a compelling destination for tourism, trade, and investment.

He further said the North West Growth Hub aims to amplify visibility for the province’s diverse Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs), promote its rich biodiversity, and unlock growing economic opportunities across sectors. Mokgosi added that the Growth Hub is a flagship initiative of the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), aligning with the department’s digital transformation priorities as pronounced by the North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, during the 2025 Budget Vote.

“It is a core pillar in the province’s broader strategy to build a digitally enabled, competitive, and inclusive economy. Once fully equipped with modern digital infrastructure, the hub will serve as a sustainable platform for marketing the North West as a premier tourism destination, while also accelerating the development of township economies and promoting localisation.

“The launch event will bring together government leaders, industry stakeholders, development partners, and members of the media to witness the unveiling of this transformative project,” said Mokgosi.

Meanwhile, the event will be held at O.R Tambo International Airport, Shop No 17 Ground Floor at 10am on 31 July 2025.

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Monna o tshwerwe mabapi le ditatofatso tsa petelelo le polao

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Bokao Gaseimelwe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

30 Phukwi 2025- Monna wa dingwaga di le 26 o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Ganyesa mo letsatsing la kamoso mabapi le ditatofatso tsa polao. Se, se tla morago ga ditatofatso tsa gore mosetsanyana wa dingwaga di le 6, Bokao Gaseimelwe,a betelelwe le go bolawa kwa motseng wa Tseoge, gaufi le Ganyesa ka 28 Phukwi 2025.

Go begwa fa moswi a ne a tsamaya le mmagwe ka Lamatlhatso fa sejanaga se ba neng ba se palame se ema kwa ntlung e rekisang nnotagi.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are go begwa fa mmagwe ngwana a ile a lemoga fa mosetsanyana o a seo, mme ba tshimolola go batlana le ene. Mokgwabone are tiragalo e ke ya bosigo jwa 28 Phukwi 2025.

 “Se, se bontsha fa go nnile le itlhokomoloso ya ngwana, mme sepodisi se tlile go samagana le kgetsi eo. Re ikuela go baagi go se itseele molao mo matsogo, mme mmelaelwa ene o tshwerwe ka Labobedi.

“O lebagane le tatofatso ya petelelo le polao. O tlile go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Ganyesa mo letsatsing la kamoso. Dipatlisiso di a tswelela,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

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Two patients died in NC hospitals due to negligence 

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Picture: Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

30 July 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene said they acknowledge receipt of the comprehensive investigation report from the Office of the Health Ombudsman regarding incidents at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. 

This comes after the Health Ombud released investigation findings into psychiatric patients in the Northern Cape hospitals. The health ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena said they were investigating the treatment, complications and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. 

Mokoena said this investigation addresses cases involving the death of two patients and inadequate medical care for another.

“The investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi against the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital in Kimberley in October 2024. We found that the general care provided at the two institutions was ‘substandard’ with two patients dying and another left bedridden following brain surgery.

“These incidents occurred in July and August 2024, were investigated in terms of Section 81A (11) of the National Health Amendment Act, 2013. The report revealed gross mismanagement, failure to provide urgent medical care, lack of functional equipment, and extreme infrastructural deficiencies,” he said.

Mokoena further said one of the patients, Cyprian Mohoto, was transferred from NCMHH to RMSH on 13 July 2024, with a suspected abdominal obstruction. He added that the tests showed he had pneumonia, which went untreated for three days until his death. 

“Another patient, Tshepo Mdimbaza was found unresponsive in bed at NCMHH on 3 August 2024. Resuscitation was delayed due to non-functional equipment. The resuscitation process was delayed due to the unavailability, malfunction, or unpreparedness of resuscitation equipment.

“A post-mortem determined he died from exposure to the elements. Petrus De Bruin collapsed at NCMHH on 30 July 2024, and was transferred to RMSH. The medical care and investigations conducted in the Emergency Centre were appropriate. However, the monitoring by nursing personnel was found to be inadequate,” he said.

Mokoena said the fourth patient, John Louw, was diagnosed with an acute subdural haemorrhage. He said Louw underwent craniotomy and craniectomy procedures and was returned to NCMHH on 28 October 2024. 

“He currently remains bedridden,” said Mokoena. 

Meanwhile, Lekwene said his department welcomes this thorough investigation by Mokoena. He said the department takes these findings very seriously and is committed to ensuring the highest standards of patient care and safety across all its healthcare facilities. 

“We will be conducting a comprehensive study of the Health Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations. The department is committed to thoroughly studying all findings and recommendations contained in the report. 

“Developing implementation plans to ensure accountability and transparency throughout this process. Prioritizing patient safety and quality of care in all our facilities

The department recognizes the critical importance of mental health services and the vulnerability of psychiatric patients,” said Lekwene. 

He said they are dedicated to implementing necessary improvements to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Lekwene said his department once again extends its condolences to the families affected by these tragic incidents and reaffirms their commitment to providing safe, quality healthcare services to all residents of the Northern Cape.

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Additional suspects nabbed in murder case of DA councillor  

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Picture: Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 July 2025- Two suspects (56) and 26 were arrested for the alleged murder of Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, who was shot and killed in December 2023 at his home in the Mpophomeni area, in Howick. The police said two additional suspects were arrested today by the said Political Killings Task Team.

The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said one of the suspects is Inkosi. Mathe said one suspect coordinated the murder of the councillor, whilst in Pietermaritzburg Prison.

“The pair will appear before the Howick Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They will join the two suspects who were previously arrested and charged for the murder. They will face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

“Ndlovu was attached to the Umngeni Local Municipality at the time of his murder,” she said.

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The Eagles ‘plunges’ on alleged car thieves  

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Picture: The traffic officers during road block/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE 

30 July 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng lauded the members of The Eagles Unit for recovery of stolen vehicles in Zeerust. Morweng said the traffic officers were on their regular patrol when they stopped a vehicle with Botswana registration number. 

He further said the driver was allegedly driving recklessly entering Zeerust CBD on the R49 road from Mahikeng direction. Morweng added that, after stopping the vehicle, the traffic officers did the inspection as per procedure and discovered that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) displayed on vehicle licence discs and on the vehicle are not the same. 

“The vehicle was taken to Zeerust Police Station for further investigation and it was discovered that it had been reported stolen earlier on 17 July 2025, in Brooklyn, near Pretoria. 

Later on the same day, another vehicle also reported to have been stolen in Brooklyn, was stopped by the provincial traffic officers on N4 road, near Groot Marico hamlet. 

“The traffic officers had stopped the vehicle for a routine check and discovered that it had also been circulated as stolen. Both drivers who are Botswana nationals have been arrested,” said Morweng.

He said on another unrelated matter, a tracking company sent out a notice of a stolen vehicle on Tuesday around early afternoon. Morweng said the vehicle was tracked to Zeerust and onto R49 driving towards Mahikeng. 

“The law enforcement officers pursued it. They found out that it is a civil matter between the husband and the wife. The wife, who was panic-stricken and distraught when stopped, said she did not understand why the husband had reported the car stolen after what appeared to have been a family tiff. 

“The matter was resolved amicably and she was allowed to go after a verification procedure that proved that indeed the vehicle belongs to the family and was not stolen as reported. 

However, we appeal to the members of the community that they should desist from falsely reporting incidents of wrongdoing,” he said.

Morweng said people could be charged for perjury, defeating the ends of justice and wasting state resources for misleadingly reporting crime that did not take place. He said it is also risky because as was nearly the case with this one, the law enforcement would have shot the speeding car, if it did not stop. 

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Monna o latofadiwang ka polao o boela kgotlhatshekelo

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

30 Phukwi 2025- Monna o latofadiwang ka polao, Motseothata Nelson Seoleseng (35) wa kwa motseng wa Majaneng, gaufi le Taung, o boela kgotlhatshekelo. Seoleseng o latofadiwa ka go tlhaba tsala ya gagwe, Mosimanegape Adam van Wyk (31) ka thiba go fitlhelela a tlhokafala. 

Tiragalo e, e diragetse dikgwedi di le mmalwa kwa motseng wa Majaneng. Go begwa fa Seoleseng ga mmogo le moswi, ba ne ba le mmogo, mme ba ile ba ya kwa gabo molatofadiwa ko ba fitlhetseng morwa rragwe molatofadiwa ana le lekgarebe la gagwe. 

Mongwe wa bo maratahelele wa tlhalosa: “Go begwa fa go ile ga runya kgakgauthano ya mafoko ma gareng ga molatofadiwa le monnawe. Sebakwa sa kgakgauthano ke gore, molatofadiwa one a botsa monnawe gore goreng a tlisa lekgarebe kwa gagabo. 

“Ene ya re fa e ya matsogong, tsala ya molatofadiwa, van Wyk, one a leka go tsiriganya. Fela go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ne a mo tsogela kgatlhanong, mme a mo tsatsanka ka thipa. Go ya ka dipego, moswi one a rwalelwa kwa bookelong jwa sedika jwa Taung, fela one a balelelwa le badimo mo letsatsing le le latelang.” 

Go begwa fa kgetsi ya polao ene ya bulwa, mme mmelaelwa one a tshwarwa. 

Kgabagage, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are, kgetsi ya polao e butswe.  

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