Daily Archives: October 7, 2025

Mbalula to pay homage to Mthethwa’s family

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Picture: South Africa’s ambassador to France, the late Nathi Mthethwa

By AGISANANG SCUFF

7 October 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, will pay homage to the family of Nathi Mthethwa. The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said this visit is a mark of respect and solidarity with the Mthethwa family, honouring the life and contribution of Nathi, who served their movement and the people of South Africa with unwavering dedication and commitment. Bhengu said the visit will take place at Mthethwa Residence, KwaMbonambi on Wednesday at 11am.

Mthethwa (58), who was South Africa’s ambassador to France, died after he allegedly fell from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris.

The Minister of International Relations, Raymond Lamola said the Government of the Republic of South Africa announced with deep sorrow and profound regret the untimely passing of Mthethwa. Lamola said Mthethwa was a distinguished servant of the nation, whose career was marked by dedicated service in critical ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Police and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.

“He also served on the Board of Directors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee. His lifelong commitment to public duty was further exemplified by his longstanding contribution to the African National Congress through its highest decision-making structures.

“In his diplomatic role, to which he was appointed in December 2023, Mthethwa was tasked with strengthening the vital partnership and bilateral ties between South Africa and France,” he said.

Lamola further said they have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss, but is also felt within the international diplomatic community. He added that the circumstances of his untimely death are under investigation by the French authorities.

“The Government of South Africa extends its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Mthethwa and to his friends and colleagues during this period of immense grief. He is survived by his wife and children.

“We honour his legacy of unwavering patriotism and service to our nation,” said Lamola.

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Fraud and corruption case against Molefe and co-accused postponed

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Picture: Brian Molefe

By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 October 2025- The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court postponed the case against Brian Molefe and his co-accused to 18 November 2025, for the provision of an indictment and a date  for the matter to be transferred to the high court.

Molefe, who is the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Transnet is charged together with Anoj Singh a former Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO), Siyabonga Gama a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Thamsanqa Jiyane who was the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) in the Transport Freight Rail (TFR) division within Transnet.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said they are facing 17 charges that include the Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption and the Contravention of the Companies Act.

Mamothame said their court appearance emanates from the period in which Transnet engaged in the process of acquiring locomotives to expand and modernise the country’s rail infrastructure, to which they allegedly flouted the tender process by irregularly awarding three contracts to provide Transnet with 95, 100 and 1064 locomotives, resulting in a loss of millions of rands to Transnet.

“Their R50 000 bail was extended and they are expected to be back in court when the matter resumes in November 2025,” he said.

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SAPS need assistance to locate missing policeman, Kutlwano Joy Tshepe

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 October 2025- The police in Phokeng request the community’s assistance in locating a police officer, Kutlwano Joy Tshepe (25) of Monakato Township, outside Rustenburg. Tshepe was last seen at home on Thursday morning, 2 October 2025, by his mother when she left for work.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the mother received a call at around 11am from her son’s colleagues after he failed to report for duty at Rustenburg Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). Mokgwabone said as Tshepe had recently lost his cell phone, her mother then looked for him, including at their relatives and his girlfriend’s place, but that did not yield positive results. 

“He was ultimately reported missing on 5 October 2025. Subsequently, searches were conducted around the area, but nothing positive came out of that. At the time of his disappearance, Tshepe was wearing navy blue jeans, with a black T-shirt, and an Adidas top.

“He is light in complexion with a well-built body. The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in tracing the missing person, to contact the Investigating Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dipotso Montsho at 076 834 3531 or your nearest police station,” he said. 

Mokgwabone further said the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop can be called at 08600 10111. He added that anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS App.

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Picture: The missing police officer, Kutlwano Joy Tshepe

Two men arrested for murder, kidnapping and assault

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By REGINALD KANYANE

7 October 2025- Two members of the Mamelodi Taxi Association, Masipa Victor Maepa (38) and Job Matsobane Magongwa (43), who were arrested for five counts of murder, five counts of kidnapping and five counts of assault among other, were granted a R2000 bail each by the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on 11 September 2025 a group of five men, one of them being a member of the Tembisa Taxi Association, were driving around Mamelodi East in a taxi when they were confronted by members of the Mamelodi Taxi Association and the Mamelodi Long Distance Taxi Association.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the men were accused of coming from Tembisa to steal taxis. Mahanjana said they were allegedly assaulted, tied up, placed back in their taxi, driven to Cullinan and set alight.

“Two men initially managed to escape the burning vehicle, but later succumbed to their injuries. A member of the Cullinan Community Policing Forum (CPF) received a complaint about a burning taxi on Brandbotch Road in Cullinan.

“Upon arrival, three bodies were found burned beyond recognition inside the vehicle, with two additional men outside the taxi who later died from their injuries. Investigations by the Taxi Violence Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) led to the arrest of the accused, who handed themselves over to police on 20 September 2025,” she said.

Mahanjana further said in court, the accused requested bail, citing their roles as breadwinners, stable employment with the Mamelodi Taxi Association and confirmed residential addresses. She added that the state prosecutor, Phumza Pfunzo Sinyengwe opposed bail, presenting the affidavit of the investigating officer, Mokgola Gerald Rapetswa, which warned that their release could endanger witnesses.

“It was also noted that Magongwa had a prior assault conviction. However, the magistrate found that exceptional circumstances existed, which in the interest of justice permits their release on bail.

“The matter has been postponed to 26 November 2025 for further investigations,” said Mahanjana.

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MRM condemns the Mosiane View brutal killing

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Picture: A suspect, the late Morgan Nchwe with the lifeless body of his mother, Ntebogeng Nchwe

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 October 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Tuesday condemned the gruesome murder of a woman (48) who was brutally murdered and hacked with a spade by her son (25) at Mosiane View village, near Mahikeng. MRM described the circulation of the video of the Saturday incident, which has gone viral on social media showing Morgan Nchwe dragging Ntebogang Nchwe’s lifeless body outside and hacking her in broad daylight as an irresponsible and despicable display of moral decay that is bound to deepen generational trauma.

The convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele, highlighted that: “This has undoubtedly left scores of neighbours and those who witnessed the heinous and ghastly act of gender-based violence and parricide including relatives of the deceased reeling with shock as well as in need of urgent trauma counselling.

“The family and community are socializing units that should always strive to inspire as well as create the moral and ethical values that enhance the spirit of Ubuntu. We welcome the investigation by the South African Police Service Occult Related Crimes Unit, as well as the swift intervention of the Provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) which has deployed officials to investigate circumstances surrounding the incident and offer psychosocial support services.”

Kgwele further said the preliminary investigation suggests that drugs might have been involved in what is believed to have been an ongoing abusive relationship between the single mother and her son. He added that the escalation of violent behaviour within the household and its progression to reach such unacceptable demonic level is a cause for great concern.

“The traumatic incident also has the hallmark of satanism as the son had reportedly cut out her mom’s heart and eaten it before he was stoned by residents and ultimately shot by a member of the community at the chaotic crime scene.

“We convey condolences to the bereaved Nchwe family and declared that MRM will partner with the North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, Kgosi Chris Mosiane including the Banogeng Clan, Mahikeng Ministers Fellowship, local churches as well as pastors, NGO’s s such as Angels of Tomorrow, Men For Real including Mahikeng Local Municipality, for a community dialogue, prayer and counselling service to be held in the area on Thursday afternoon,” said Kgwele. 

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