14 October 2025- The Congress of the People (COPE) said it strongly supports the revelations by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on how SAPS Crime Intelligence was abused for political ends. COPE said these disclosures vindicate its long-standing concerns about the African National Congress (ANC)’s misuse of state resources to undermine political opponents.
COPE’s acting National Chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi said they categorically deny any involvement in recruiting police officers into their party ranks. Dikgetsi said COPE was never engaged in any systematic or authorised effort to politicise the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“If any isolated incident occurred where individuals associated with COPE interacted with police personnel, it was unauthorised, contrary to our ethos, and does not reflect the party’s official stance or actions.
“COPE has always championed accountability, transparency, and institutional integrity—values that stand in stark opposition to the politicisation of state organs. Founded in 2008 amid the erosion of principles of democracy and constitutionalism post-Polokwane, COPE emerged to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
Dikgetsi further said their record is clear. He added that they vehemently opposed the disbandment of the Scorpions, fought against Jacob Zuma’s state capture, and consistently advocated for independent law enforcement.
“To the contrary, COPE itself became a victim of sinister infiltration and sabotage by rogue elements within SAPS Crime Intelligence. It was Jacob Zuma and Nathi Mthethwa who initiated the capture and abuse of SAPS Intelligence to fight COPE, viewing it as a significant threat to their power. Under then-Minister Nathi Mthethwa, these elements were deployed to sow discord, spy on our members, and dismantle our party.
“Julius Malema has confirmed that when COPE posed a threat to the ANC’s tyranny, they established a war room at Luthuli House and enlisted rogue elements in SAPS Crime Intelligence to target political opponents using state resources,” said Dikgetsi.
He said this pattern of state capture undermines democracy and misuses intelligence services against rivals. Dikgetsi said COPE calls for a full, independent investigation into these abuses to ensure justice and prevent recurrence.
“We remain committed to depoliticised, professional SAPS serving all South Africans,” he said.
Picture: Mmabana Foundation top bodybuilding achievers to compete internationally/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
14 October 2025- The Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sport Foundation (MACFS) is flying the country’s flag up high once again with five bodybuilders scheduled to represent South Africa in Spain next month. The foundation is known as one of the top sporting foundations in the country for exposing its talented participants in artistic sport on international platforms.
MACFS Sports Manager, Patrick Mokoka said a few months ago, about 23 Mmabana bodybuilders participated in an International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) body building fitness challenge in Pretoria for provincial team selection and all qualified to represent the province nationally. Mokoa said nationals were held in KwaZulu-Natal.
“They all got podium positions in their respective contests, with five of them selected to represent the country at the 2025 IFBB World Fitness Championships in Barcelona, Spain, in November.
“Three of the participants are from Lehurutshe Mmabana, while two are from Mmabana Mahikeng, They are: Vuyo Goliath and Oarabile Rababui, both from Mahikeng, and Lehurutshe’s Michael Masangana , Peter Lekoma and Sihle Radebe,” he said.
Mokoka further said they are ecstatic that they will be representing the country once again. He added that after the collapse of the program in 2018, following the North West uprising, they were in dire straits.
“I am so happy that after all that, Mmabana is doing it again. We revived the body building programme only earlier this year. We started doing well from the word go and it was this year that people started to show interest. We made it, and here we are, selected to participate in Spain.
“Such fitness programmers are also for many fitness benefits, including mental fitness, mental sharpness, and mental health. Hopefully, this will attract more young people to take part,” said Mokoka.
14 October 2025- A man (61) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for murder by the Potchefstroom Regional Court. This comes after the accused Molefi Benjamin Ramohlokoane killed his intimate partner, Maria Masego Fumba (36) in Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom on 11 February 2025.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said evidence presented in court revealed that Ramohlokoane and Fumba were in a relationship. Gunya said on the day of the incident, Fumba was cooking for her neighbour (77) when the accused entered the house in a fit of rage and jealousy and stabbed her multiple times with two knives.
“Fumba succumbed to her injuries, which included a fatal penetrating wound to the chest. Police were called to the scene and a case of murder was opened. Ramohlokoane was arrested the same day and remained in custody until the conclusion of the trial.
“During the trial, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge of murder, read with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act. In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor advocate Hester Pretorius, argued that murder is among the most serious offences before the courts, particularly those committed within domestic relationships,” he said.
Gunya said Pretorius further emphasised the courts’ duty to impose deterrent sentences that protect the vulnerable and demonstrate society’s resolve to eradicate Gender-Based and Domestic Violence. He added that in handing down the sentence, the court found substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from life imprisonment and imposed a 25 year term of direct imprisonment.
Meanwhile, welcoming the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended both the prosecution and the investigative teams for their diligence and dedication. Makhari reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
Picture: Learners awarded bursaries during WSEP/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
14 October 2025- Eight North West High School learners are among the 54, who were awarded tertiary bursaries at the Water and Sanitation Educational Programme (WSEP) National Adjudication Award Ceremony hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on 6 October 2025, in Benoni, Gauteng.
The WSEP is the DWS’s educational programme, which is aimed at educating schools and communities about water use efficiency, management of toilet facilities, protection of water resources, health and hygiene for a healthy life and water safety.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said it engages learners and educators in various educational projects such as Aqua Enduro, Public Speaking for high schools and Baswa-le-Meetse for primary schools. Mavasa said Aqua Enduro competition addresses shortage in the scientific and engineering disciplines within the water sector, targeting secondary school learners in Grade 10-11 studying mathematics and physical science.
“The competition aims to raise awareness about the importance of water quality. The competition is categorized into technical, posters and Aqualibrium assessments. Through hands-on projects and practical activities, learners and educators work together to investigate real-life water and sanitation challenges in their schools and communities, brainstorm innovative solutions and put their ideas into action.
“Public Speaking competition targets Grade 10-11 learners who are studying maths and science. The project is conducted in a debate format and it aims to change the mindset, attitude, and behaviour of South Africans in water and sanitation use efficiency,” she said.
Mavasa further said Baswa-le-Meetse which targets Grade 4-7 primary school learners who initiates water and sanitation projects using creativity to artistically sensitise their school communities through different art forms such as music, drama, poetry, praise poetry and posters. She added that the project should focus on any of the DWS themes of; water use efficiency, access to water, water quality, sustainable practices, greening, and health and hygiene.
“The North West Province was represented by eleven schools including 37 learners and educators who participated in the week-long WSEP national competitions. Six learners participated in the Public Speaking competition, and another 6 in Aqua Enduro while 25 learners in Baswa le Meetse competition.
“Schools representing the province in Public Speaking and Aqua Enduro included Thuto-Tsebo Secondary School in Orkney, Matlosana, Ramotshere Technical High school in Dinokana, ZM Seatlholo High School in Lotlhakane and Living Faith Independent Combined School and Golfview High School, both in Mahikeng, Tigerkloof High School in Vryburg and Pinagare High School in Taung,” said Mavasa.
She said primary schools that participated in Baswa-le-Metse are Boikhutsong Primary in Ventersdorp, Kamogelo Primary in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke, Maiketso Primary School in Morokweng, as well as Modimokwane Primary in Mathibestad. Mavasa said two learners in Public Speaking competitions, Warona Kuntwane from Tigerkloof High School and Loane Monnanorwa from Pinagare High School, were among those awarded with tertiary bursaries and certificates.
“The Aqua Enduro North West team consisting of six learners, came third in the National Adjudications and they received tertiary bursaries, a trophy and certificates. The learners are Lwandle Nhlengethwa from Golfview High School in Mahikeng.
“This includes Warona Mahoko from Living Faith Independent Combined School in Mmabatho, Neo Sebekedi from Tigerkloof High School in Vryburg, Oarabile Tlhaole, also from Tigerkloof High School and Tlhalefo Sempe from Pinagare High School in Taung,” she said.
Mavasa said other participants are Lethabo Maoba from Ramotshere Technical High School in Dinokana and Kananelo Vilakazi from Thuto-Tsebo Secondary School in Orkney. She said moreover, a special award was given to Lethabo Maoba from Ramotshere Technical High School, who also received a laptop for being the overall top achiever in the 2025 Aqua Enduro competition.
“He was followed by Lwandle Nhlengethwa, from Golfview high school, also in the North West province, for being the second top overall achiever in the 2025 Aqua Enduro competitions.
“Bursary recipients of the Public Speaking and Aqua Enduro competitions will study water-related studies at universities of their choice and join the water sector. For Baswa le Meetse competitions two of the four primary schools walk away with cash prizes worth R30 000 on behalf of their schools,” said Mavasa.
She said Kamogelo Primary School in Migdol performed exceptionally scooped first position in the poetry category. Mavasa said the school received a cash prize of R20 000, while Maiketso Primary School in Morokweng also represented the province in the poster category and came third with a cash prize of R10 000.
The Guardian 