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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Register your account on the SAPS site.
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