5 August 2025- The police in Kimberley, Roodepan and Modderrivier, in collaboration with officials from the Department of Home Affairs, the Northern Cape Liquor Board, and health inspectors from the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, conducted Operation Basadi in the Greater Kimberley area on 4 August 2025. The police said the operation commenced with a formal parade led by Kimberley Station Commander, Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana, who also served as the operational commander.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said as part of the operation, compliance inspections were conducted at three bottle stores and ten tuck-shops. Gopane said eight tuck-shops were found to be non-compliant and were subsequently closed.
“The owners were issued with Notices of Non-Compliance. Additionally, during one of the inspections, an undocumented man (31) was arrested and detained. High-visibility patrols were also conducted in identified hotspot areas within the Central Business District as part of crime prevention efforts,” she said.
Picture: The Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul
By AGISANANG SCUFF
5 August 2025- The Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul said he has noted the report on the investigation conducted by Prof Taole Mokoena and his team. Saul said the report released last week by the Health Ombudsman has brought to the fore the major governance inadequacies, violation of clinical protocols and financial mismanagement at both the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital and the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital.
He further said all these discrepancies have cost families their loved ones. Saul added that he sends his most heartfelt condolences to the families mentioned in the Ombudsman report.
“We unequivocally apologise to the many patients who have experienced substandard health services at both institutions. I will soon visit the affected families, having studied the report and after a number of consultations, I have instructed that the Director General of the province, Justice Bekebeke, chair the task team that has been set up to ensure full implementation of the recommendations by the Health Ombudsman.
“I have also instructed the Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene to within 7 days, provide me with an update on the immediate actions to be taken as recommended by the Health Ombudsman in its report,” he said.
Saul said upon assuming office in 2019, he prioritised Public Health and Public Education. He said in an effort to improve the two sectors, bulk of the provincial budget and adequate support is given to the two departments and this is evident in the Human Development Indicators.
“It is therefore important that in light of the damning report by the Press Ombudsman corrective actions are instituted as a matter of urgency. I wish to reiterate the government’s commitment to transparency and clean governance as well as reforms in the public health system.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that our public health facilities function optimally as more than 80% of the people of this province cannot afford private healthcare and are solely dependent on government facilities,” said Saul.
Picture: The Chairperson of Ad Hoc Committee, Soviet Lekganyane
By OBAKENG MAJE
5 August 2025 – The Ad Hoc Committee to investigate allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi, today elected Soviet Lekganyane as its chairperson. The committee is empowered by National Assembly Rule 253 and was established following the allegations made by Mkhwanazi.
Lekganyane said in his opening remarks that the matters before the committee are of grave concern to South Africa.
“Wherever there would have been unscrupulous activities, South Africans would want us to rise to the occasion and unearth it. The committee is tasked to investigate the veracity and implications of all the allegations made by Mkhwanazi about organs of state and criminal syndicates operating in the country.
“In its first meeting, the committee agreed that the draft terms of reference guiding its work should be finalised by Friday. Members of the committee will have an opportunity to make input into the terms of reference before that date,” he said.
Lekganyane further said the committee also directed the Parliament Legal Services to ensure that all aspects relating to the process and rights of citizens are protected. He added that the role of the committee is to unearth the truth about the allegations and to provide a way forward for Parliament.
“The committee will meet next week to further discuss its terms of reference and programme,” he said.
Picture: The Co-Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Dr Malusi Gigaba
By REGINALD KANYANE
5 August 2025 – The Co-Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Dr Malusi Gigaba, has expressed concern at unfounded, disingenuous, and illogical comments attributed to Nicholas Gotsell, a member of the committee, alleging that the he is shielding the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga from accounting for “R813 million allocated to the payment of SANDF deployment allowances”. Gigaba said while Gotsell is free to escalate any matter to the National Assembly hierarchy, he is not entitled to make baseless, illogical and false claims.
He further said openness and accountability are the bedrock of the committee’s work. Gigaba added that he does not make unilateral decisions, but acts in consultation and by consensus with all committee members.
“The committee is committed to accountability. This was demonstrated by the urgent joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans following the deaths of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“The committee then convened a closed meeting to receive a detailed briefing on the incident and the state of the deployment. This was followed by an engagement with the leadership of the SANDF to receive a further briefing on the phased withdrawal plan from the DRC, as resolved by the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community,” he said.
Gigaba said following these meetings, the committee – of which Gotsell is a fully participating member – agreed that, upon completion of the withdrawal, a comprehensive report on the deployment would be tabled in Parliament, outlining the mandate, related costs, strategic support provided, and Prime Mission equipment utilised.
“It is thus perplexing that Gotsell would, without warning, undermine a decision in which he actively participated. Accountability rooted in political posturing rather than principle undermines the true purpose of that process.
“Due to this year’s unprecedented budget process, the committee had to defer its meetings to allow space for the process to be finalised in accordance with legal requirements,” said Gigaba.
He said Gotsell, as a member of the committee, should be fully aware of the complexities involved in arranging meetings of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, particularly given the overlapping schedules of both Houses of Parliament. Gigaba also noted that the minister has attended many committee meetings.
“In instances where she was unavailable, she submitted written apologies, which were accepted by the same committee of which Gotsell is a participating member. Furthermore, deputy ministers and the department’s accounting officer have consistently represented the ministry in such meetings.
“The committee is committed to a considered and thorough review of the DRC deployment, based on comprehensive information to be provided by the department,” he said.
Gigaba said this commitment remains unchanged and the review will be scheduled once the report is available. He said it is on this basis that making unfounded and disingenuous claims is both counterproductive and irrational.
Picture: The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
5 Aug 2025- The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga has launched 2025 Women’s Month. Chikunga said Women’s Month in South Africa stands as one of the most powerful illustrations of how a heritage of resistance has evolved into sustained advocacy for systemic change.
She further said their celebration is deeply rooted in what may be called embodied resistance—the physical act of 20,000 women marching to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to eliminate laws that fundamentally restricted their autonomy, citizenship, and right to self-determination.
Chikunga added that the pass laws were not mere administrative inconveniences, but were tools of control that relegated African women to a subordinate status within both racial and patriarchal hierarchies.
“In marching, these women were resisting what Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw would later conceptualize as intersectionality—the overlapping systems of oppression based on race, gender, and class that created uniquely compounded forms of discrimination for African women.
“What makes Women’s Month particularly significant is how our struggle has evolved from resistance to reconstruction, from wanting mere inclusion to demanding a fundamental restructuring of power relations,” she said.
Chikunga said building on the legacy of 1956, their transformation agenda is much more daring to the patriarchal script. She said their agenda is rooted in centuries of systemic exclusion that relegated women to subordinate positions across virtually every sphere of human activity.
“At its core, our movement for gender equality seeks to uproot entrenched patriarchal structures that have historically denied women equal participation in economic, political, social and scientific spheres of life.
“Our President has led from the front in giving teeth and enforcement powers to the struggle for gender equality and women’s empowerment. The significance of appointing Justice Mandisa Maya as the first South African woman to occupy the position of Chief Justice and Head of the Constitutional Court, cannot be overstated,” said Chikunga.
She said today, South African women hold 43.5% of the seats in Parliament, occupying 171 out of 400 seats—an increase from 28% representation in 1994. Chikunga said the signing of the Public Procurement Bill and the Land Expropriation Act are clear signs of their commitment to gender-responsive land redistribution and related productive assets.
“The establishment of the R20 Billion a year Transformation Fund and its emphasis on supporting emerging women industrialists and SMMEs affirms our bold commitment to transformation. The National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NCGBVF) Act has now been passed, and the process of establishing the National Council is underway.
“Another major achievement has been the ongoing success of our G20 Activities. More recently, under the leadership of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, our Chairship of the Empowerment of Women Working Group has elevated three overarching priorities such as policy perspectives on the care economy, financial inclusion and the elimination of Gender-Based Violence,” she said.
Chikunga said their working group is rallying the government to not only recognize, but value the care economy, which encompasses both unpaid and underpaid labour that sustains families, communities and economies worldwide. She said today, women perform approximately 75% of the world’s unpaid care work, valued at trillions of dollars globally, yet they remain systematically excluded from economic calculations and policy considerations.
5 Aug 2025- The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe said he has announced the adjustment of fuel prices based on current local and international factors with effect from 6 August 2025. Mantashe said South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by international and local factors.
He further said international factors, include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs such as shipping costs. Mantashe added that the main reasons for the fuel price adjustments are due to crude oil prices, average Brent Crude oil price decreased slightly from 69.36 US Dollars (USD) to 69.06 USD during the period under review.
“The main contributing factor to the lower crude oil price is the decision by OPEC to increase production and the uncertainty caused by looming US trade tariffs, including secondary tariffs which could affect global economic growth and demand for crude oil.
“This includes international petroleum product prices, the average international petrol prices decreased in line with the decrease in crude oil prices. The prices of diesel and paraffin increased due to low stocks in the US, unplanned refinery shutdowns and closures of refineries in the EU which have resulted in tight supply,” he said.
Mantashe said this led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices (BFP) of petrol by 23.49 cents per litre (c/l), and higher contributions to the BFP of diesel and illuminating paraffin by 69.94 c/l and 35.57 c/l respectively. He said the prices of Propane and Butane decreased during the period under review.
“Rand/US Dollar exchange rate, the Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar (USD), (from 17.84 to 17.76 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one.
“This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol by between 4.00 – 5.00 cents per litre on all products. Implementation of the Slate Levy, the cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R3.707 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of June 2025,” said Mantashe.
He said in line with the provisions of the SelfAdjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from 6 August 2025. Mantashe said the Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) for LPGas is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape Province.
“The Maximum Refinery Gate Price of LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay will be R14 633.10 and the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of LPGas in Western Cape will be R35.30 effective from 6 August 2025. Based on current local and international factors, the fuel prices for August 2025 will be adjusted.
“Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): Twenty-eight cents per litre (28.00 c/l) decrease. Petrol 95 (ULP &LRP): Twenty-eight cents per litre (28.00 c/l) decrease. Diesel (0.05% sulphur): Sixty-five cents per litre (65.00 c/l) increase. Diesel (0.005% sulphur): Sixty-three cents per litre (63.00 c/l) increase.
“Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): Thirty-two cents per litre (32.00 c/l) increase. SMNRP for IP: Forty-three cents per litre (43.00 c/l) increase. Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: Sixty-nine cents per kilogram (69.00 c/kg) decrease and seventy-eight cents per kilogram (78.00 c/kg) decrease in the Western Cape,” he said.
Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
5 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, visited beneficiaries of the Jacksonville 139 Housing Project in Jacksonville, near Kimberley today. This follows the handing over of 15 houses to these beneficiaries on 25 July 2025.
Vass said the courtesy visit was to make sure that the beneficiaries have settled in and are happy with their houses. He further said the visit was also to hand over title deeds to the beneficiaries and confirm that they are the rightful owners of these houses.
“This is a follow up visit to these beneficiaries to ascertain that a few days since we handed them their keys, they are still happy and have moved into their new houses. Furthermore, I came today, to personally hand over their title deeds, which is a crucial legal document that proves that they are the rightful owners of these properties.
“The title deed also protects your rights and contributes to the economic upliftment by enabling individuals to leverage their properties for various financial and developmental opportunities,” he said.
Vass added that his department hands over the houses as soon as they are completed to avoid vandalism and to ensure that the beneficiaries take ownership of their houses immediately, while work commences to finish outstanding houses.
Meanwhile, a beneficiary, Andries Zeekoie (63), said he waited long for the house and is eternally grateful to the government for restoring his dignity and ensuring shelter for his family.
Picture: A woman raped by the uncle of her boyfriend/Generic
By AGISANANG SCUFF
5 August 2025- A man (55) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by Galeshewe Regional Court in Kimberley for rape. The victim (26) and her boyfriend were asleep when the victim awoke to find someone raping her.
The incident took place in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberley on 18 September 2022.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said upon opening her eyes, she recognised the perpetrator as her boyfriend’s uncle. Sam said realising that she was awake, the accused immediately fled into another room.
“The victim alerted her boyfriend and subsequently reported the incident to the police. The accused, Boitumelo Simon Mokomela, was arrested, convicted of rape, and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.
“The court further directed that the offender’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Frances Baard District Police Commissioner, Major General Charlotte Makgari, commended Detective Warrant Officer Tanya Serfontein for her dedication, expertise and professionalism in ensuring justice for the victim and reinforcing the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Picture: Some of the suspects arrested for possession of suspected stolen copper/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
5 August 2025- The police in Northern Cape said Operation Basadi continues to intensify its efforts to combat property-related crimes across the province with increased police visibility during Women’s Month 2025. The police said in the Pixley Ka Seme District, members of the Public Order Police (POP) Unit in De Aar, while conducting patrols under Operation Basadi in the Sunrise area, acted on intelligence regarding the possession of suspected stolen copper by three foreign nationals at a local dumping site.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said upon arrival, the suspects attempted to flee in different directions. Sam said the police officers gave chase and successfully apprehended all three individuals.
“Copper cables, valued at approximately R3428.10, were seized. The suspects were arrested and charged with damage to essential infrastructure and for contravening immigration laws. In a separate incident, Britstown police responded to a reported housebreaking and theft.
“Acting on information received, officers traced a suspect to a residence in Britstown. A search of the premises led to the recovery of a stolen television, electronic equipment and groceries. A man (26) was arrested,” he said.
Sam further said all suspects will appear in their respective Magistrate’s Courts in due course.
Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to maintaining heightened visibility during and beyond Women’s Month. Mtukushe emphasized that community support is vital in enhancing police efforts to safeguard lives and property.
“The continued partnership between the community and the police remains instrumental in fighting crime. The SAPS appreciates the public’s cooperation and encourage them to remain vigilant and proactive,” said Mtukushe.
5 August 2025- A man (48) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. The accused, Kabelo Ishmael Mogongwa was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for the murder of his intimate partner, Tsholofelo Juliet Emphokile (38).
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said Mogongwa was also sentenced to an additional five years imprisonment for possession of a firearm.
“Both sentences are ordered to run concurrently. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 2 February 2024, in Khibicwane village, near Taung, where Mogongwa and Emphokile had returned from a local tavern after consuming alcohol.
“Upon arriving at the accused’s residence, an altercation ensued during which Mogongwa became aggressive towards the deceased. A witness, who is Mogongwa’s nephew, testified that the couple locked themselves in a room and continued arguing,” he said.
Gunya further said moments later, he heard a gunshot coming from the room. He added that fearing for his life, the nephew fled to seek help from neighbours.
“Upon their arrival, Emphokile’s lifeless body was discovered in the room, having sustained gunshot wounds. The police were called to the scene and Mogongwa was arrested the following day.
“He was denied bail and has remained in custody since. Mogongwa pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, during sentencing, state prosecutor Rebaona Mokgopa, argued that the court should impose a life sentence, stating that no substantial or compelling circumstances had been presented by the defence to warrant a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence,” said Gunya.
In delivering judgment, Regional Court Magistrate Bhuti Zulu highlighted the accused’s lack of remorse and confirmed that there were no valid reasons to depart from the mandatory sentence. Zulu emphasised the court’s duty to protect victims and deliver strong messages of deterrence for crimes of this nature.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence and commended Mokgopa and the investigative team for their dedication. Makhari reaffirmed the NPA’s unwavering commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“The NPA will continue to ensure that justice is served and that violent crimes will not be tolerated,” She said.
The Guardian 