SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 21: Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) inspect Ndofaya Mall after last week?s looting and violent protests on July 21, 2021 in Soweto, South Africa. The violent protests spread from KwaZulu-Natal after the incarceration of the former President Jacob Zuma. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo)
By AGISANANG SCUFF
20 October 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Dakota Legoete has raised serious concerns about the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) neglect of its core duties. Legoete condemned reports that an army truck was used to travel more than 1200 kilometres to remove tree stumps from a major-general’s yard.
He further said it is shocking that such a poor decision was made, especially when the SANDF is already struggling with limited resources. Legoete added that this incident comes soon after the committee’s oversight visit to SANDF bases and border deployments in Limpopo, where members saw first-hand the difficult conditions soldiers face while patrolling the borders along the Limpopo River.
“Our soldiers are short of basic necessities such as uniforms, vehicles and sufficient manpower. To hear about this kind of poor prioritisation of resources adds insult to injury. SANDF senior leaders must consider a “back to basics” approach through leading by example and ensuring that every resource serves the defence of the country and the maximisation of South Africa’s defence capabilities.
“It is unacceptable for leaders to show such poor reasoning in the use of resources while ground forces struggle to do their jobs,” he concluded.
Picture: Residents in Sakhile, near Pampierstad/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
20 October 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, accompanied by the Phokwane Local Municipality mayor, Willem Harmse, hosted the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, and the Frances Baard District and other local municipalities leaders at a successful Title Deeds Fridays programme held in Sakhile, near Pampierstad.
Addressing the community that was largely composed of more than 500 beneficiaries, Simelane said: “We are happy to be here today, as part of our Title Deeds Restoration Programme, because this government is committed to restoring the dignity of our people and to ensure security of tenure.
“This is why the government has re-launched the Title Deeds Fridays, to rapidly deliver deeds to the rightful beneficiaries.”
Vass said the Northern Cape Provincial Government has appointed conveyancers for all the 26 local municipalities in the province to assist the government to address the title deeds backlog and that progress is made daily to ensure that title deeds are registered and delivered to the owners. He further said the event was also attended by the representatives from the Batlhaping Ba Mothibi, under the traditional leadership of Kgosi Ponatshego Mothibi.
“Municipalities are encouraged to ensure that all title deeds in their possession are delivered to beneficiaries,” said Vass.
20 October 2025- Three educators from the North West are part of the Department of Basic Education contingent jetting off to the People’s Republic of China on a DBE-Chinese Embassy Partnership from 20 October to 13 November 2025. The partnership, among others, involves Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology E-learning educators who shall have emerged through the processes of the National Teaching Awards will take part in the learning exchange programme.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said one of the three educators is Dimakatso Sefora from Moremogolo Primary School in the Bojanala District. Motsumi said Sefora won the 2023 competition and obtained position 3 in the Technology-enhanced Teaching and Learning Category.
“She is also a SchoolNet winner due to her integration of ICT-centred teaching. Her passion for digital learning had in the past earned her the award of Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) Super Teacher of the Year and the EduWeek Africa ICT Implementer of the Year (2018).
“Another educator is Itumeleng Komane, is a young and vibrant North West University alumni who has just been promoted to be the Departmental Head at Boitekong II Secondary School in the Bojanala District. He is the 2024 national winner of the ICT-enhanced teaching category,” she said.
Motsumi further said another educator, Mxolisi Tyobeka, is the E-learning specialist in the North West Department of Education and has played a role both as a Provincial Adjudicator and coach of the Technology-enhanced teaching and learning category. She added that Tyobeka is an ardent proponent of digital learning and integration of ICT in teaching and learning.
“We wish them a wonderful journey and a productive learning experience in their three-week stay in the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the department, I wish our educators a very safe journey to the Republic of China.
“They should ensure that they learn everything they come across during their tour, so they can share their experiences with peers in our schools. Let’s grow the North West and South Africa together,” said Motsumi.
Setshwantsho: Motsamaisi wa kwa lebenkeleng la Boxer Liquor Store, Tebogo Romeo Mahusi/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
20 Diphalane 2025- Ditheetso tsa beile mo kgetsing ya petelelo kgatlhanong le motsamaisi wa lebenkeleng la Boxer Liquor Store mono Taung, Tebogo Romeo Mahusi (32), di buseditswe morago ke kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung go fitlha ka Laboraro. Mahusi one a tshwarwa le go tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go betelela modiri wa mosadi wa teng kwa Boxer Liquor Store.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are tiragalo e, ke ya Lamatlhatsho motshegare kwa lebenkeleng la Boxer Liquor Store. Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso mo kgetsing e, di tsweletse.
Go begwa fa modiri wa dingwaga di le 20, teng kwa Boxer Liquor Store, a ne a tsweletse ka tiro ya gagwe ya go paka dilo fa motsamaisi a ne a mo biletsa kwa kantorong ya gagwe ka Lamatlhatso motshegare. Go begwa fa go tseneng ga bone kwa kantorong eo, Mahusi o ile a lotlela lebati la kantoro.
Go begwa fa e ne ya re fa modiri o a sentse a maketse gore go diragalang, ke fa Mahusi a mo phamola a mo atla ka nkane. Go begwa fa Mahusi a ile a mo fekeetsa ka maatla, mme a mo apola borogwe.
Go begwa fa Mahusi a ile a mo rapamisa mo tafoleng le go mo betelela a mo tlhaga kwa morago.
20 October 2025- North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi has welcomed the 2024/25 audit outcomes which have demonstrated consistent and improved performance for provincial departments. Mokgosi said the performance mirrors governments’ ongoing efforts of building a capable, ethical and developmental state as per the dictates of Priority 3 of the Medium Term Development Plan (2024-2029).
He further said in the latest audit cycle which ended on 31 March 2025, a total of 8 out of 12 departments, received unqualified audit reports with the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, receiving clean audits. Mokgosi added that only the Department of Education and Health received qualified audit outcomes with the latter falling short of an unqualified audit opinion as compared to the previous financial year.
“The government is duty bound to ensure that public coffers are spent wisely. Section 195 of the Constitution impresses upon public servants to promote and maintain high standards of professional ethics.
“We must at all material times demonstrate and maintain high ethical standards, efficient resource use, accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of our people, particularly the poor and downtrodden” he said.
Mokgosi said the regression of the of North West Department of Health from unqualified to qualified audit opinion and the failure by the North West Department of Education to improve to unqualified outcome for two consecutive financial years compels government to double its efforts in ensuring that the two department get out of the woods. He said these are the two important departments with the lion’s share of the provincial budget with the constitutional mandate of ensuring that the people receive uninterrupted provision of services in their hospitals, community health care centres, primary and secondary schools.
“So, new techniques will be implored in enhancing accountability and transparency to ensure that they improve their audit outcomes. Preceding the past two financial years, the province recorded 5 qualified audit outcomes prompting the provincial government to increase its support which encapsulated a comprehensive financial oversight and accountability plan.
“These efforts are now coming to fruition. We are particularly encouraged by the two clean audits outcomes and we believe that audits of similar kinds are on the horizon in other departments which just fell short of a clean audit outcome,” said Mokgosi.
He said their intervention measures will now include paying a more detailed attention to State-Owned Institutions to build public trust, enhance service delivery and improve the lives of the people of the North West.
Picture: Former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga
By AGISANANG SCUFF
20 October 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of Kenya, the Odinga family and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on the passing of former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, who was laid to rest yesterday. The party said Odinga was laid to rest on Sunday in his beloved homeland of Kenya, a nation whose democratic soul he helped shape through decades of courageous struggle and principled leadership.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said his burial marks not only the farewell of a statesman, but also the celebration of a life that advanced the cause of justice, democracy, and African unity. Bhengu said a towering figure in Kenya’s political life, Odinga dedicated his life to the pursuit of freedom and equality.
“He stood fearlessly against oppression, endured imprisonment, and emerged as one of Africa’s enduring champions of democracy and good governance. His unwavering commitment to the people, and his belief in the power of unity and dialogue, will forever remain a guiding light for future generations.
“The ANC remembers with profound respect the solidarity and camaraderie shared between Odinga and successive generations of South African leaders. He remained a loyal friend of South Africa and a staunch supporter of liberation movements across the continent,” she said.
Bhengu further said his vision of an integrated and prosperous Africa echoed the ideals of the Freedom Charter and the spirit of Pan-Africanism that continues to bind our nations together. She added that they extend their thoughts and prayers to his family, the people of Kenya, and all who drew inspiration from his leadership and example.
20 October 2025- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it welcomes the sentences imposed by the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Victor Junior Sebata (35) and Kagiso Patrick Mthimunye (31), both from Mamelodi. Each was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 5 years imprisonment for kidnapping.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective 15 years imprisonment. Mahanjana said both men were also declared unfit to possess firearms.
“On the evening of 7 October 2022, a victim (34), an e-hailing driver, received a ride request from Propaganda Club in Pretoria Central to Silverton. Upon arrival at the drop-off point, the victim was approached by Sebata and Mthimunye, who pointed a firearm at him, robbed him of his belongings, and forced him into the boot of his vehicle.
“The accused then drove the victim’s vehicle to Mamelodi, where they removed him from the boot, tied him up, and transferred him into another vehicle. They drove him to Bapsfontein, where they abandoned him in a bush. The victim managed to untie his feet, walked towards the road, and came across a police vehicle that took him to a police station in the nearby area,” she said.
Mahanjana further said in the early hours of 8 October 2022, both Sebata and Mthimunye were arrested in Akasia by a security company that had received an alert from a vehicle tracking company about the stolen car. She added that they have remained in custody since their arrest, after the NPA successfully opposed their release on bail.
“In court, both accused pleaded not guilty, claiming they were asked by an unnamed individual to deliver the vehicle to someone else. However, the state prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez led compelling evidence that proved their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“During sentencing, the defence argued for leniency, citing that the accused were first-time offenders and had been in custody for three years. Du Preez countered that the men showed no remorse, committed serious and violent offences, and caused significant trauma to the victim, who was unable to return to work as an e-hailing driver for an extended period,” said Mahanjana.
She said Du Preez urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, as there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify such deviation. Mahanjana said in delivering judgment, Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, noting that both men showed no remorse and were convicted of serious offences.
Nel said: “While the victim did not sustain serious physical injuries and managed to recover his vehicle, it does not take away from the fact that robbery is a violent and serious crime. Society expects the court to send a message that such offences will not be tolerated and that offenders must be removed from communities to ensure public safety.
“I therefore found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences.”
Meanwhile, acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren, commended the prosecutor, stating that this case highlights the dedicated efforts of law enforcement and prosecutorial teams in holding violent offenders accountable.
20 October 2025- A police woman (45) was found guilty of murder by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria. This comes after police officer, Sergeant Kate Lindiwe Hlongwane, attached to the Dube Police Station under Visible Policing, found guilty of the premeditated murder of her husband, Russel Hlongwane (40), who was also the father of their three children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson In Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said evidence led in court revealed that on 27 January 2024, Hlongwane visited a sangoma in Soshanguve, JJ. Mahanjana said her husband was alerted by the vehicle tracker that the family car was in a high-risk area.
“The husband then drove to the location and found Hlongwane consulting with the sangoma. He instructed her to return home, and they each drove back in separate vehicles to their residence in Soshanguve Extension 7.
“Later that night, when the husband arrived home, he confronted Hlongwane about her visit to the sangoma and an argument ensued. The deceased then told her that he would take her to his parents’ house “to learn discipline,” she said.
Mahanjana further said they began loading Hlongwane’s clothes into their vehicle and drove off together. She added that a few minutes later in the early hours, they returned home, where Hlongwane shot her husband several times with her service pistol.
“Upon hearing the car return and gunshots shortly after, the family’s domestic worker went outside to investigate. She then met Hlongwane who ignored her when she asked about her husband’s whereabouts.
“The helper continued to search and found the deceased lying on the ground outside their gate, bleeding profusely next to a neighbour’s house. A neighbour, who also heard the gunshots, rushed the victim to Akasia Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries,” said Mahajana.
She said Hlongwane was arrested by the SAPS the same day on 28 January 2024, and the case was referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigation. Mahanjana said in court, Hlongwane pleaded not guilty, claiming that the firearm discharged accidentally during a struggle with her husband.
“However, state prosecutor advocate Vhungani Khoza presented expert ballistic evidence, which contradicted her version. The ballistic expert, trained in distance determination and wound analysis, demonstrated that the shots were fired from a distance, disproving her claim and proving the state’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“In his judgment, Judge Papi Mosopa said the accused’s version was “unconvincing and improbable.” He rejected her evidence, finding the State’s case credible and unchallenged. The matter has been postponed to 1 December 2025, for sentencing proceedings,” said Mahanjana.
20 October 2025- The Grade 12 learners in North West in a fully capacitated hall of Waterkloof Secondary School in Rustenburg, declared to uphold the examination regulations of not committing any irregularities in the examination centres during the Provincial Prayer and Pledge Signing held on 17 October 2025. The North West Department of Education said the primary purpose of the Provincial Prayer and Pledge-Signing ceremony is for the learners to embark on a commitment to conduct themselves in the highest possible manner during the examinations without committing any irregular activities like cheating in the examination centre.
The department said the Kloofwaters Secondary School Hall was filled to capacity with different stakeholders, who came to pray and witness the pledge signing.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they had traditional leaders, Members of Parliament (MPs), councillors, pastors, departmental officials, principals and educators, School Governing Bodies (SGBs), unions, business stakeholders and learners. Motsumi emphasized that the incidents of vandalism create setbacks that communities cannot afford.
“We are living in a very critical and challenging time, where the actions of a few continue to harm the future of many. It is deeply troubling that criminals persist in destroying and stealing the property of our schools and communities.
“Just recently, at Boitekong Secondary School not far from here a block of classrooms was set on fire. In other schools, food for learners, vital resources such as computers and educational equipment have been stolen,” she said.
Motsumi further said these acts of vandalism and theft are not only criminal, they are an attack on the education and future of our children. He added that they delay progress, undermine the limited infrastructure they have and create setbacks that their communities cannot afford.
“Many of our schools already operate with minimal resources and what little we have has been hard-earned and paid for through sacrifice and effort. We plead with communities to take a stand against vandalism.
“Communities, leaders and parents must rise together to protect schools and safeguard the future of learners. Education is a shared responsibility and it is the duty of everyone to ensure that schools remain safe, functional, and protected spaces of learning and hope,” said Motsumi.
She said this year, she is filled with confidence and high expectations. Motsumi said she believes that their learners are prepared to rise even higher to push beyond and claim a spot among the top three performing provinces in the country.
“It is within reach, and it is possible with focus, discipline, and a commitment to excellence. As we approach the final examinations, I also want to emphasize the importance of integrity in this process.
“I trust that our learners will reject all forms of dishonesty and refuse to participate in any irregular or unethical activities during the exams. Let us be known not only for our results, but also for the honesty and values that define us,” she said.
Meanwhile, a Grade 12 learner, Bonginkosi Motaung who is also the President of the North West Representative Council of Learners, pleaded with all the Grade 12 learners to obey the examination rules.
“I am pleading with my fellow learners to obey the examination’s rules by not committing any silly action which will put them in trouble. Learners must believe in themselves and work hard to be better people in future.
“My fellow colleagues should live up to the pledges that they have committed today until the end of examinations. A Grade 12 learner who could be found to have committed an irregularity during the examination can be banned from writing examination for a period of three years by the Department of Education. This ban means the learner cannot write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam during that period, which has significant consequences for future education plans,” said Motaung.
Picture: Convenor of the MRM Provincial Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
20 October 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Monday wished the matric class of 2025 well in their exams. In appealing for support as well as no disruption during the examination period, MRM wished all learners who are starting with their examinations this week the very best and urged them to stay focused and not to be distracted from the task at hand.
Convenor of the MRM Provincial Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele urged communities to allow learners the opportunity to write their final exams in a peaceful and conducive environment.
Kgwele said they are appealing for suspension of disruptive protests or alternatively their planning must consider that disruption of schooling and the public transport system will adversely affect learners who are on the verge of achieving a qualification that will open opportunities for them.
“The sacrifices and extra effort that matriculants have had to put as part of preparing for the exams throughout the year must be safeguarded, so that they achieve their objective to pursue their dreams. The investment that the country has made in the education of young people as future leaders is key to sustainable development.
“We therefore appeal to public and scholar transport operators for hassle free transportation of learners to their various examination centres. Punctuality and discipline must characterise the exam period because disruptions will be costly,” he said.
Kgwele further commended the Department of Education’s last push programme aimed at preparing learners for the final exams and dissuaded learners from cheating. He added that such unethical and immoral conduct will result in dire consequences for those who are caught and defer their dreams.
“The matric exam pledges for ethical behaviour and honesty must be upheld by all candidates. We also commend churches and Ministers Fraternal that used Sunday as well as Special Prayer services to pray for the matric class of 2025 mentioning that faith-based organisations are part of support structures for learners particularly those from child headed households need,” said Kgwele.
The Guardian 