Daily Archives: September 24, 2025

Roaming lion captured

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Picture: The roaming lion captured/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

24 September 2025- The Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Tshitereke Matibe, has commended the dedicated efforts of rangers, the LEDET team, and private sector stakeholders following the successful swift capture and relocation of a male lion from Letaba Ranch north of Phalaborwa to the Northern Kruger National Park.

Matibe said the operation carried out in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and SANParks, comes after incidents in which the lion killed livestock in the Giyani–Phalaborwa boundary area on 16 and 21 September 2025. He said this rapid intervention has not only safeguarded the wellbeing of nearby community members, but also ensured the lion’s continued survival in a protected environment.

“This success demonstrates the importance of collaboration between government, conservation agencies, and the private sector. Our rangers and partners worked tirelessly to secure both our communities and our wildlife heritage.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every individual and organisation that played a role in this delicate and urgent operation. We further appeal to communities living near nature reserves and park boundaries to avoid tampering with or cutting fences to access wood or other resources,” said Matibe.

He further said respecting these boundaries is essential for their own safety, the protection of livestock and the wellbeing of their wildlife. Matibe added that to this capture, there are reports of two other lions currently roaming in Mtimkulu Nature Reserve, outside Giyani.

“Plans are underway, in collaboration with the EWT and SANParks, to capture and relocate them safely to the Kruger National Park. Importantly, these lions are not in communal lands and therefore have not caused damage to livestock.

“We reaffirm the government’s commitment to balancing community safety with conservation priorities. Our province’s strength lies in our ability to protect lives, livelihoods and the biodiversity that makes Limpopo a global treasure,” he said.

Matibe said this relocation is proof that when they work together, they can achieve both.

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Three suspects killed in shooting with police

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Picture: Three suspects killed in a shooting with the police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

24 September 2025- Three suspects have been fatally wounded and two injured during a cross fire with the police on the night of 23 September 2025 in Atteridgeville, near Pretoria. This comes after SAPS Highway patrol with the assistance of private security companies, operationalised intelligence information about a group of suspects involved in hijackings around Pretoria.

The Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the team was strategically placed to be on the lookout for the suspects’ vehicle, which was then spotted. Nevhuhulwi said upon trying to stop the vehicle, the suspects sped off, leading to a high-speed chase and shootout between the police and suspects. 

“Three of the suspects died while two were taken to the hospital with injuries. Three unlicensed firearms with ammunition, signal jammers, hand gloves and balaclavas, including the vehicle, were confiscated. Police investigations are underway,” she said.

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A man sentenced to 8 years for attempted murder

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By OBAKENG MAJE

24 September 2025- A man (49) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for attempted murder and robbery. The police said the accused, Ebatsamang Morubisi’s conviction underscores the South African Police Service’s commitment to prioritising the combatting of contact crimes.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said on 29 January 2024, Morubisi was involved in an altercation with a man (55). Kock said during the confrontation, he assaulted the victim with an iron rod and stabbed him in the ribs and hands with a knife.

“The incident took place in the yard of their local church in Tsineng. Morubisi fled the scene with the victim’s cell phone, but was arrested on 1 February 2024. Bail was denied and the accused remained in custody until his sentencing on 16 September 2025, in the Kuruman Regional Court.

“He received an eight year prison sentence for attempted murder and robbery and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, has welcomed the sentence. Baloyi said the SAPS Management in the Northern Cape commended Detective Sergeant Mojaki Mogaswe of Tsineng Detectives for his meticulous investigation, which secured this significant conviction and sentence.

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Improved healthcare services at Jouberton CHC and Tsholofelo clinic

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari during oversight visit/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

24 September 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has commended the standard of primary healthcare services provided at Tsholofelo Clinic and Jouberton Community Health Centre (CHC) in Klerksdorp. Lehari’s remarks followed oversight visits to the two facilities during the ongoing Thuntsha Lerole Integrated Service Delivery Programme in Jouberton Township, in Klerksdorp.

He further said Tsholofelo Clinic, located in Jouberton, has been serving the community for 33 years. Lehari added that it is an 8-hour facility that refers patients to Jouberton CHC.

“During our visit, we inspected key areas, including the waiting area, pharmacy, consulting rooms, and youth-friendly services. We expressed satisfaction with the state of the facility, praising management and staff for their dedication.

“I am pleased that the operational manager here is knowledgeable and hands-on. The clinic is clean, medicine supply is sufficient, and security measures are in place,” he said.

Lehari said patients expressed general satisfaction with services, though some raised concerns about waiting times. He said it was noted that most patients arrive simultaneously around 7am, causing delays.

“During the visit, one patient was assessed on the spot and referred to Klerksdorp Hospital for further ENT (ear, nose, and throat) investigation—an example of responsive care. I applauded the staff for that and urged nurses not to become complacent.

“Nurses should attend to patients as early as possible. People should not be kept waiting the entire day without being helped,” said Lehari.

He said the visit also highlighted areas for improvement, including the need to erect a security guardhouse, install security gates, and trim trees leaning against the perimeter fence. Lehari said the clinic reported 95% medicine availability and an ambulance response time of 45 minutes, both within acceptable norms.

“Staffing currently includes six professional nurses, one enrolled nursing assistant, one doctor, and two cleaners. We stressed the importance of filling two vacant professional nurse posts to strengthen service delivery.

“At Jouberton CHC, which officially opened in 2023, we noted several areas of excellence. The facility reported 95% medicine availability, a TB cure rate of 95%, and Platinum status for performance against National Core Standards,” he said.

Lehari said the CHC was established as part of the government’s commitment to restore and uphold communities’ constitutional right to healthcare. He said, however, challenges remain.

“We raised concerns about gangsterism around the facility, calling for a multi-stakeholder approach involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and security partners to address the problem.

“The centre also faces pressure from patients outside its catchment area who prefer to use Jouberton CHC, further straining resources. We concluded by encouraging the clinic committee to continue serving as a vital link between communities and management,” said Lehari.

He said clinic committees must listen to community concerns and work with management to ensure these issues are addressed.

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ANCWL astounded by Helen Zille’s JHB mayoral candidate nomination

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Picture: Democratic Alliance Federal leader, Helen Zille

By BAKANG MOKOTO

24 September 2025- The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) said it is astounded by the recent announcement by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to nominate Helen Zille (74) as the mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg in next year’s local government elections. The structure said the City of Johannesburg is not only the economic hub of the country, but is also a cosmopolitan metropolis of the African continent, where people from everywhere in the continent and elsewhere, converge for better economic opportunities.

The ANCWL Secretary-General, Nokuthula Nqaba said the absolute leader of the DA, Helen Zille in 2012, whilst serving as the Western Cape Premier, referred to the people of Eastern Cape who relocated to the Western Cape as refugees, and demanded their immediate deportation. Nqaba said these utterances not only undermined the compass of their constitutional democracy, but confirmed the DA policy of exclusionism which is characterised by prejudice and collective hatred for black people.

“The deep-seated idiocy in her statement on Eastern Cape refugees was owing to the fact that Zille herself was born in Johannesburg with both her parents of German descent, but still had the impudence to refer to indigenous people with such resentment.

“In her nomination acceptance speech, Zille promised the citizens of Johannesburg, “better delivery of water, electricity, road repair and refuse services”, which is in stark contrast to her legacy of disservice in the vast majority of African and Coloured townships in the City of Cape Town,” she said.

Nqaba further said Zille’s self-proclaimed clean governance during her tenure as mayor of Cape Town is in full display as one drives along the N7 in the densely populated poverty stricken Du Noon near Killarney, her legacy project in Blikkiesdorp in Delft, where temporary structures have been turned into permanent residence since 2007. She added that the only proven track record to be attributed to the DA is its inherent disregard for transformation and their political conviction remains that of the protection of White privilege and supremacy.

“The DA and its Johannesburg mayoral candidate are disingenuous in their promise for service delivery and the only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy,” said Nqaba.

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DA to re-inspect Women’s Living Heritage Monument

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

24 September 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said it will conduct a follow-up oversight inspection at the Women’s Living Heritage Monument in Tshwane. The DA said the over R200 million worth monument was completed in 2018, but remains partially operational despite the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GDSACR)’s commitment to make it fully functional by specific deadlines, including October 2024.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Gauteng and Member of provincial Legislature (MPL), Leanne De Jager said as part of our Heritage Month campaign, the DA will reassess the heritage site to determine why its operationalisation continues to be delayed. De Jager said they will also interact with residents and small business owners operating in the area surrounding the monument to assess the impact of the closure.

“The media is invited to attend and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs. The meeting point will be at the Women’s Living Heritage Monument in Pretoria Central, Tshwane on Thursday at 10:30am,” she said.

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UDESMO calls for justice and protection for learners

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Picture: A visibly pregnant learner/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

24 September 2025- The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) said it is horrified by the continuing violation of children in schools by those who are meant to protect them. UDESMO said the recent flood of cases, from St John’s College in Mthatha (Eastern Cape), to Tiyelelani

Secondary in Soshanguve (Gauteng), from St Bernard High in Bloemfontein (Free State), to Thubalethu Secondary in Pinetown (KwaZulu-Natal), and Sunward Park High in Boksburg (Gauteng), shows that what should be a place of learning has become a hunting ground for predators hiding behind the title of “teacher.”

UDESMO Chairperson in Eastern Cape, Lucia Matomane said they cannot pretend that these are isolated incidents. Matomane said girls as young as 12 and 14, are being preyed upon.

“They are being impregnated, forced into abortions, infected with diseases and threatened into silence. These crimes are ripping futures away from young people before their lives have even begun. The pain and anger of learners are boiling over.

“When pupils are forced to protest and shut down schools just to be heard, it shows the system has failed them. The silence of adults who should act faster is part of the problem.

But there are signs that justice can prevail,” she said.

Matomane further said in one case, a teacher who impregnated a learner, infected her with HIV and then tried to escape responsibility was struck off the roll and ordered by a court to pay maintenance. She added that is what it looks like when the law works — but it should never take this long and it should never be the exception.

“UDESMO demands more than words of sympathy. We demand no bail for accused teachers. Our children’s lives matter more than the freedom of predators. Swift prosecutions and maximum sentences for offenders is necessary.

“Educators found guilty of sexual offences against learners must be struck off the roll and be permanently listed on the National Child Protection Register. Also, real support for survivors in the form of counselling, protection and dignity is needed,” said Matomane.

She said enough is enough and schools must be safer places. Matomane said their teachers must be trustworthy and their generation refuses to accept a future, where classrooms are places of fear.

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Seven suspects nabbed for possession of stolen goods

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By OBAKENG MAJE

24 September 2025- As the festive season approaches, the police in the Greater Kimberley remain vigilant in their efforts to address property related crimes. During routine stop and search actions, the police stopped and searched a group of people in Beaconsfield on Tuesday afternoon, 23 September 2025 at approximately 5:10pm.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said several items believed to be the property of a local post office were found in their possession. Ehlers said seven suspects (six men and one woman) aged between 25 and 32, were subsequently arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and business burglary.

“A preliminary investigation indicated that there was a break in at a post office in the Kimberley area. The suspected stolen property, including a variety of stationery items to the approximate value of R16 000 was recovered and confiscated and investigations continue.

“SAPS will continue to address prevalent crimes in the hotspot areas and will reinforce efforts to address these crimes during the Festive Season period,” she said.

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