Picture: A woman nabbed for allegedly dealing in drugs/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
18 August 2025 – Operation Basadi, which focuses on women empowerment, gender equality and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness, continues to yield positive results in the Northern Cape. On Monday, members of Galeshewe SAPS, supported by the Women’s Network and community safety volunteers, conducted a door-to-door information sharing campaign in the John Daka area of Galeshewe.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said during the campaign, police received information about alleged drug dealing at a house in the vicinity. Sam said acting swiftly, they requested permission to search the identified premises.
“The search led to the discovery of Tik and an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. A woman (27) was subsequently arrested.
“The suspect has been charged with dealing in drugs and is expected to appear in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Frances Baard Police District, Major General Charlotte Makgari, commended the SAPS members and safety volunteers for their vigilance and proactive response, which resulted in the successful removal of drugs from the community. Makgari said public is further encouraged to support the fight against crime by participating in the SAPS “Rate Our Service” online survey, aimed at improving policing services.
Picture: Former National Assembly speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
By OBAKENG MAJE
18 August 2025- The Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria, postponed the corruption case against Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to 21 November 2025, for her attorney to consult with her on the docket that has been provided by the state.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s attorney indicated that they may file representations with the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions pending the outcome of the consultation process.
The NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 counts of corruption and money laundering, wherein she is accused of receiving and soliciting R4.5 million, with R2.1 million allegedly received as cash from a service provider,
Mamothame said her R50 000 bail was extended until the next court appearance.
18 August 2025- Two men who kidnapped and raped a girl (13) in Ottosdal, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Atamelang Regional Court. In 2017, a girl was accosted by the accused, Mohau Jan Mogale (30) and Thabo Isaac Molusi (29), whilst on her way home.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said the investigation revealed that Mogale grabbed her by her hand whilst Molusi threatened her with an empty beer crate that was in his possession, ordering her to accompany them forcefully. Gunya said the young girl was taken to a house in Iraq Section in Ottosdal and was locked inside the bedroom.
“Further investigations revealed that both men had left the house. After some time, Molusi returned alone and unlocked the bedroom, where the child was locked in. He then ordered the victim to take off her clothes and she refused.
“Molusi then forcefully undressed the victim and raped her throughout the night. The next day, Molusi left her in the room and she then managed to go home. On her way home, she met her uncle and her sister, as they had been searching for her, and they took her home, where she reported the ordeal to her mother,” he said.
Gunya further said a case was opened and both men were identified and arrested. He added that in court, both men pleaded not guilty, but were convicted based on overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution.
“Mogale was convicted of kidnapping and Molusi of rape and kidnapping. In aggravation of sentence, advocate Edward Manicus emphasised the high prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the vulnerability of women and children in South Africa.
“He further presented two Victim Impact Statements from the victim and her mother, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Thembinkosi Madiba, detailing the profound physical and psychological trauma they suffered,” said Gunya.
He said Manicus urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment to protect society, especially vulnerable members like children.
In delivering judgment, Magistrate Stephan Du Toit emphasised the humiliating and degrading effects of rape upon the victims and the need for the courts to protect the victims.
“Mogale was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for kidnapping. Molusi received life imprisonment for rape and an additional eight years for kidnapping.
“The court ordered that Molusi’s name be included in the National Register for Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” said du Toit.
Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West welcomed the sentences and commended the dedication of Manicus and other stakeholders involved in securing this conviction.
“This sentence serves as a crucial deterrent against perpetrators of gender-based violence in our country. We must continue to ensure justice for victims and take a firm stance against such heinous acts,” she said.
18 August 2025- A man (21) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Atamelang Regional Court for rape. This comes after the accused, Lebogang Ntokoto raped a woman (31) from Ottosdal.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said on 14 December 2019, Ntokoto, accompanied by two other unknown men, accosted the victim who was walking from home to a nearby local tavern in Ottosdal. Gunya threatened her with a knife and instructed their companions to search her.
“After they searched the victim, Ntokoto told his companions that the victim was his wife and that he was taking her home with him. He forcefully dragged her to his shack whilst still in possession of the said knife.
“At the shack, he told the victim to undress herself, threatening to stab her if she did not comply. He sexually assaulted the victim throughout the night,” he said.
Gunya further said the early hours of the morning, the victim requested to use the toilet. He added that Ntokoto then told her to use the outside toilet and that is how she managed to escape and fled to the neighbour’s house seeking help.
“She managed to flee the house where she hid and reported the rape to her friends, who subsequently accompanied her to the police station to report the matter, which led to Ntokoto’s arrest.
“After his arrest, he was released on warning. In 2023, he failed to appear and has been in custody ever since,” said Gunya.
He said in court, Ntokoto pleaded not guilty.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Edward Manicus argued that there were no compelling and substantial circumstances adduced prompting the court to deviate from the applicable minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Stephan Du Toit emphasised the court’s duty to protect vulnerable members of society, and as a result, agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, welcoming the outcome, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Manicus and other relevant stakeholders involved in the case. The DPP encouraged the communities to report any acts of Gender-Based Authority (GBV) to the relevant authorities.
Picture: Learners awarded after taking part in the safety school competition/ Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
18 August 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said his department will once again embark on the annual Road Safety Debate and Participatory Education Technique (PET) schools’ competition. Morweng said over the years, the province has produced an excellent team of debaters, who went on to showcase their skills at the national competitions and flying the Provincial flag high.
He further said in 2022, Vryburg High School from Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Onkabetse Thuto Technical School in Setlagole village, in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, produced best speakers in the urban and rural categories respectively.
Morweng added that in 2023, the province secured a triple win by producing a best speaker from Kismet Secondary School (Vryburg), who went on to obtain the second position of the urban category.
“Setilo Secondary School (Mareetsane) in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District came third in the rural category. Tiger Kloof Secondary School in Vryburg came third position in the urban category at last year’s national competitions held in Bloemfontein.
“For the Participatory Education Technique (PET) competition, learners are required to identify road safety challenges in their own communities,” he said.
Morweng said once this is done, they then conduct extensive research in order to develop and implement sustainable solutions to address those challenges. He said learners are thereafter evaluated on creative models and presentations that serve as examples of the solutions.
“For those competing in the debates, motions related to road safety are provided beforehand so as to conduct thorough research as part of the preparation.
“Through a deliberation of ideas, learners create a dialogue around responsible road use backed up by scientific evidence,” said Morweng.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Management, Director Motshabi Tshukudu said this programme is pivotal in the promotion of road safety behaviour amongst the young people. Tshikudu said these programmes aim to foster a positive mindset and encourage behavioural change among the young people.
“This enables them to be proactive road safety ambassadors who champion safer road usage practices in their communities.
“They not only equip learners with innovative ways of promoting road safety but also help them develop leadership and presentation skills,” she said.
Tshukudu said they are now underway for the district leg of competition. She said the winners will go on to the provincial lap, where the best of the best will be selected to represent the North West later this year as part of the October Transport Month activities.
“The upcoming debate and PET competitions are scheduled to take place Bojanala Platinum Municipality Council Chambers, Rustenburg.
“They will also take place on 20 August 2025, at Reabona Secondary School in Wolmaransstad, on 21 August 2025 at Tau Rapulana High School in Bodibe and Public Works Industrial Site in Vryburg on 22 August 2025,” said Morweng.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Debates and PET is a national initiative that is coordinated by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and is implemented across all nine provinces on an annual basis. This effort is targeted forGrades 10 and 11 learners.
18 August 2025- The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provision of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at Bahurutshe Baga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana village, near Lehurutshe.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi spokesperson, Lerato Gambu said the campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the right of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents and initiation schools’ principals.
Gambu said the campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and tragic death of six initiates.
“The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders and communities.
“The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, North West PICC Chairperson, Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders and representatives from government departments,” he said.
Gambu further said Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated.
Gambu added that the Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote and regulate initiation.
“It provides for acceptable norms and standards; initiation oversight and coordinating structures; protection of life, prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates, address the governance aspects of initiation, protect the customary practice of initiation and ensure that it is practiced within the constitutional and other legal prescripts.
“As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending the initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend the initiation, a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents,” he said.
Gasebone said that they call upon on all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the department and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school.
“If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people,” he said.
Meanwhile, initiation school principals have until 3 October 2025, to apply to operate schools during summer initiation season. The traditional surgeon must also be 40 years-old and above, must have undergone initiation over 10 years ago, must have been mentored as a surgeon for a period of five years.
18 August 2025- The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management said it would like to express its deep concern and outrage following reports that 14 employees of North West Transport Investments’ (NTI) bus companies have taken their own lives due to months of unpaid salaries. The Committee said families are suffering, homes are being repossessed and in some cases, workers have reportedly died of hunger, while a legal impasse continues to drag on.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Freddy Sonakile said they are firm in their view that the entire province cannot be held to ransom by one individual, NTI’s first Business Rescue Practitioner, Thomas Sammons, whose alleged repeated appeals stalled progress. Sonakile said legal circus cannot continue, while workers and their families bear the brunt of the crisis.
“We insist that urgent measures must be facilitated to ensure that salaries are paid without further delay, irrespective of the ongoing court processes.
“Workers continue to serve the public, and their dignity must be restore. We have resolved to call on the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, together with the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, and North West MEC for Treasury, Keneetswe Mosenogi, to amongst others urgently meet with NTI’s Acting CEO, Ben Dikobe and the current Business Rescue Practitioner, Mahomed Tayob, to devise immediate strategies that will allow salary payments to flow while the legal case continues,” he said.
Sonakile further said they have also noted that workers cannot remain the collateral damage of protracted litigation and government indecision. He added that, they call on the North West Provincial Government to vigorously defend the current business rescue process in the courts, pursue cost orders against Sammons to deter further frivolous appeals and demonstrate its seriousness by providing full support to the workers during this transition.
“The committee demands that the Mokgosi and MECs provide formal feedback within 14 days on the concrete steps being taken to ensure that workers are paid.
“In parallel, the committee will also engage with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to establish progress on the case it previously referred regarding NTI’s affairs,” said Sonakile.
He said failure by government to act with urgency, will render it equally complicit in the suffering of employees, especially since it was government that invoked voluntary business rescue in the first place. Sonakile said they will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not hesitate to hold both the department and the entity accountable.
“The lives and livelihoods of workers must come before any legal theatrics,” he said.
Picture: North West Media Awards: Ms Nyakallo Mosala (Award Team), Mr Ralph Makhanya (Board Member) Ms Mabu Mosadikwena (Board Member) and Mr Ananias Ndlovu (Founder)
By BAKANG MOKOTO
18 August 2025- The organisers of the North West Media Awards (NWMA) have officially announced the nominees for the 2025 edition during a ceremony at BMW Rustenburg on 15 August 2025. The organisers said this year’s honours feature more than 150 nominees across 16 categories, with over 600 participants taking part in the process — highlighting the depth, diversity and dedication of media practitioners in the province.
The founder of NWMA, Ananias Ndlovu said for the first time, the awards will be hosted under the Compassion Awards Foundation and Investments (CAFI), a registered Non-Profit Company dedicated to community development, social impact and recognising excellence across various sectors. Ndlovu said CAFI will also manage a variety of other community-focused awards and projects.
“The North West Media Awards are more than just a ceremony — they are a platform to safeguard journalistic integrity, reward commitment, and inspire the next generation of storytellers.
“This year’s record participation is proof of the impact and importance of community media in shaping our society,” he said.
CAFI Board Members
Chairperson: Ms. Brenda Ramokopelwa
Ms. Berlina Lekgethwane
Mr. Ralph Makhanya
Dr. Koketso Rakhudu
Mr. Gaisang Mogale
Ms. Mabu Mosadikwena
Mr. Gili Ramalekana
Panel of Judges
Ms. Liza Jay
Mr. Oupa Segalwe
Mr. Cornelius Monama
Ms. Shirley Montsho
Mr. Lucky Mediwane
Ms. Annemarie Marx
Awards Timeline
15 August 2025: Official Nominees Announcement.
15 – 30 August 2025: Nominees receive acceptance letters and must confirm participation. Those in voting categories must submit professional head-and-shoulder photographs for in-house designed promotional posters.
1 September – 30 November 2025: Public voting and judging period. 1 – 4 December 2025: Independent auditors verify results.
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.
The Guardian 