18 August 2025- The Pixley Ka Seme District Police Management commended the community members for a tip-off provided regarding alleged stock theft activities in the district. This cooperation led to the successful arrest of five suspects in Philipstown for possession of suspected stolen livestock.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said on 15 August 2025, at approximately 4:30pm, police received a tip-off regarding stock theft activities at a farm in Philipstown. Shemane said a follow-up by the police led to the discovery of two suspects, aged 31 and 35, who were found allegedly busy packaging meat.
“They were immediately arrested after failing to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the origin of the meat.
In a separate incident on 17 August 2025, at approximately 4:30pm, police received further information from community members about individuals in possession of suspected stolen meat.
“Upon investigation, three suspects, two aged 31 and 33 and a woman (58), were apprehended. The Northern Cape SAPS once again appeals to both emerging and commercial livestock farmers to maintain proper livestock registers,” he said.
Shemane further said they should report incidents of stock theft immediately to their nearest police station. He added that they should also brand-mark their livestock for easy identification.
“These measures assist the police in tracing, recovering stolen animals, and positively linking livestock to their rightful owners,” he said.
Picture: ANC LET coordinator, Moreotsile Israel Olifant/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
17 August 2025- The accused, Malane Abraham Letsapa (45) and ANC Local Election Team (LET) coordinator in Taung Sub-region, Moreotsile Israel Olifant (50), who were arrested by the Hawks in Vryburg and Taung on 16 August 2025, for alleged fraud, are back in Taung Magistrate’s Court today. Letsapa was the Expanded Public Works Programne (EPWP) District Coordinator, while Oliphant was the former PR Councillor in the Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipalityduring the commission of the alleged crime.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the reports indicate that, in December 2020, Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality approved the implementation of the Presidential Stimulus Project (PSP) under the Department of Public Works and Roads’ EPWP. Mathebula said the project was allegedly intended to be rolled out in Matsheng and Tlapeng villages in the Greater Taung Municipality, which involved cutting of trees and grass along the main road leading to and from the two villages.
“It is alleged that the Oliphant facilitated the process of head hunting beneficiaries, while Letsapa processed claims for payment of beneficiaries for a period of three months. Investigation revealed that no services were rendered, resulting in the department suffering a loss of over R87 000.
“The accused made an urgent bail application on 17 August 2025, in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng and they were granted R2000 bail each. They will appear in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 18 August 2025, on charges of fraud,” he said.
18 August 2025- The Northern Cape Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating a case of murder and attempted murder following a tragic incident at a local shebeen in Ganspan. The police said preliminary reports indicate that on 27 July 2025, at approximately 03:30am, a group of 14 adult men and women were socialising and drinking around a fire.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said it is alleged that during a temporary power outage, an unknown individual allegedly threw an unidentified object into the fire, resulting in a violent explosion. Ehlers said 14 individuals sustained burn injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
“Three of the victims succumbed to their injuries. On 15 August 2025, members from Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit together with Hartswater Crime Intelligence Unit, followed up on information and successfully apprehended a suspect (28) in Ganspan, near Jan Kempdorp in connection with the incident.
“Anyone who may have information regarding the incident is urged to contact Colonel Letlhogonolo Kanakang at 071 686 1360 or Colonel Corrie Coghlan at 071 686 0020,” she said.
Ehlers further said information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. The investigation is ongoing.
Picture: Minibus taxis blocking the road in protest/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
18 August 2025- The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) said it has noted with concern, the circulation of false information on social media suggesting that the council has instructed South Africans not to use their private vehicles and to travel with their families. SANTACO said it wishes to place it on record that it has never issued such communication and has never imposed any mode of transport on the public.
SANTACO national spokesperson, Rebecca Phala said: “Any individual making such claims is not and has never been, speaking on behalf of the council. The council strongly condemns these acts in the strongest terms.
“Like all other paid-for transport services, taxi operations are voluntary and remain a choice available to commuters. We strongly urge members of the media to exercise caution and verify information with us before publishing reports of this nature.”
Phala further said publishing misleading information without affording SANTACO a right of reply misleads the public and damages trust in the sector. She added that for clarity, only law enforcement authorities hold the legal mandate to enforce regulations relating to transport in South Africa.
“We encourage members of the public to report any incidents of harassment or unlawful enforcement directly to law enforcement agencies.
“SANTACO remains committed to serving the nation with integrity and transparency,” said Phala.
Picture: SAUCIC president, Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole
By AGISANANG SCUFF
18 August 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) said the foundation laid by the first National Convention inspire hope that the National Dialogue will deliver a Social Compact that will reset the country’s development agenda and address challenges facing the country. SAUCIC said that the completion of nomination of a national steering committee that is representative of sectors will pave the way for work to start in earnest.
SAUCIC president, Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said though unrealistic expectations and suspicion characterised engagements with representatives in the National Convention held over the weekend, they are confident that these were part of the birthing process to usher a new chapter for our maturing democracy. Shole ascribed this to multiple factors that include social distance that had developed mistrust, self-interest and lack of effective communication that had left stakeholders and most communities behind.
“The National Dialogue processes that are to unfold will afford ordinary citizens the opportunity to reclaim their voices for an active citizenry that will come up with a comprehensive plan for radical change as well as a rapid response to rebuild the nation.
“For this to be achieved, trust must be reestablished and stronger partnerships entrenched because South Africans have achieved a lot through dialogue in the past, from adoption of the Freedom Charter in 1955, CODESA in 1991& 1992 and adoption of the country’s democratic constitution in 1996,” he said.
Shole further said it is not late for unpatriotic pessimists to also come on board because failure is not an option. He added that they owe it to future generations to reclaim their deferred dream of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, peaceful and prosperous nation characterized by economic development, shared growth including social cohesion.
“SAUCIC as part of the faith-based sector is encouraged that National Dialogue values, its principles as well as the citizen-led roadmap has eliminated exclusion as well as elitism by bringing ordinary citizens to be architects of their own destinies through an inclusive process that will take into account our people’s lived experiences.
“We commend the adopted engagement modalities for public participation, diverse platforms such as community, sector dialogues, digital engagements, use of mobile Dialogue units to reach all remote rural communities including youth labs and mass media, i.e. Radio, TV, social media for reach and feedback,” said Shole.
He said they are confident that person-to-person engagements, including community meetings in their churches, schools, traditional councils (kgotlas), social clubs and digital platforms including the involvement of youth and children will allow for maximum reach to exceed the targeted 10 million citizens. Shole said that the national effort will among others contribute towards addressing rising youth unemployment, moral decay characterized by corruption, escalating violent crime, migration of illegal foreign nationals, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as well as deepening poverty and inequality.
18 August 2025 – A rollercoaster of emotions awaits fans of South Africa, Uganda and Algeria in the African Nations Championship when their tightly contested group reaches its climax on Monday night.
Group C will be decided on the final day on Monday, 18 August 2025 and after the dust has settled, leaders Uganda (six points), second-placed Algeria (five points) and third-placed South Africa (five points) will know whether they are progressing to the knockout stages or going home.
With the group balanced on a knife edge, the South Africans face the hosts Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium while Algeria and Niger had to travel from Kampala to Nairobi, Kenya, this weekend ahead of their equally decisive final group match at Nyayo National Stadium. Kick-off is at 19h00 (South Africa time) for both matches.
South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki said they simply have to beat the hosts Uganda if they are to remain in control of their own destiny in the business end of the group stages of this continental tournament.
“Things will be very interesting for all the teams that will be playing tomorrow. We as South Africa are fully aware that if we are to go to the next stage of this tournament, it is a must-win game tomorrow as much as it’s a must-win game for Uganda,” he said.
“In terms of our technical approach to this game, we are fully aware of the demands and expectations, the mental side of it in terms of how we carry ourselves going into this game, and the technical preparations. We have seen all the (top three) teams playing three matches and in the three matches, there were technical changes made in terms of player selection and the approach.”
A huge crowd is expected at the Mandela National Stadium and Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama said the players have to be mentally prepared for the atmosphere that will greet them in such a crucial match against the host nation.
“As the coach has said, tomorrow is not going to be an easy one for us. But we are aware of everything and what we should expect, especially tomorrow. As South Africa, we need to win the game so that we can go through. Uganda also have to beat us to go through. So, it’s not going to be an easy one, but we’ve got to fight. We are ready and we need to be mentally prepared, which is one of the most important things for tomorrow’s game.”
Picture: The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
18 August 2025- The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala will on Monday, lead a team of inspectors and other law enforcement agencies on a blitz inspection targeting the iron and steel sectors in the North West.
Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said the blitz inspection will test the compliance with the labour laws and regulations that include among others, Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA, National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
“This includes Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (UICA) and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).
“This blitz inspection is part of a series of interventions by the department and its social partners to ensure safe and conducive workplaces,” she said.
The Guardian 