Daily Archives: November 12, 2025

Over 400 initiation school applications approved for the 2025 Summer Customary Initiation Season in North West

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Picture: Initiates during ceremony/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

12 November 2025- Over 400 initiation schools have been approved by the North West Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) for the 2025 Summer Customary Initiation Season. This was announced during the State of Readiness meeting held by North West CoGTA, PICC and South African Police Service (SAPS), Health Department ahead of the summer initiation intake, which will commence during the school holidays.

The Chairperson of the PICC, Kgosi Godfrey Ramosetlho Gasebone said they assessed the province’s preparedness and measures to safeguard initiates. Gasebone said this will ensure a safe and incident-free initiation season.

“Over 462 applications were received for both male and female customary initiation schools in three districts, 446 were approved, with only 16 disapproved. We have approved 72 applications in the Ngaka Modiri Molema, 281 in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and 93 in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

“We appeal for vigilance and collaboration among stakeholders. We hope this season will record less illegal initiation schools and zero fatalities. The Department of Health and SAPS will remain on high alert to respond swiftly to any emergencies. We will do everything in our power to secure resources and ensure proper monitoring and running of all initiation schools in the province” he said.

A major concern raised in the meeting was the non-prosecution of cases against individuals running illegal initiation schools, with some resulted in fatalities. Mzwandile Mrabe of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), pledged support in pursuing the registered cases, emphasizing that firm action will deter the rise of illegal and unsafe initiation practices.

Meanwhile, the department and all stakeholders committed to ensuring that all initiation schools operate within the confines of the law and comply with all prescribed health and safety standards.

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Govt intensifies clampdown criminals looting SA of R28bn

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By REGINALD KANYANE

12 November 2025- The Tax Justice SA (TJSA) is urging the government to follow through with criminal prosecutions after the tax authority suspended the licences of three cigarette manufacturers in a long-overdue move against illicit trade. TJSA said the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, announced the move during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament on Wednesday, saying the government is intensifying its clampdown on criminals looting South Africa of R28 billion a year in tobacco excise taxes alone.

TJSA founder, Yusuf Abramjee welcomed the announcement as a positive development, but said it must be followed by strong enforcement and arrests. Abramjee said this is good news and the government needs to go out in full force and stop the illicit trade that is robbing the nation of revenue and destroying legitimate businesses.

“Revoking these licences is a step in the right direction, but it must be backed by criminal charges and visible action. Godongwana also confirmed that Cabinet has approved a plan for all agencies to work together to combat the criminal networks behind illicit trade.

“Now, we need to see action. It’s critical that this collaboration produces real results. That means the kingpins involved in the illicit trade must be arrested, charged and put behind bars. And the money they’ve stolen must be returned to the South African people, to whom it belongs,” he said.

Abramjee further said, despite the Al Jazeera Gold Mafia exposé almost three years ago, no arrests have been made. He added that any of those implicated in multi-billion-rand money laundering, smuggling and other illegal activities, are still enjoying the fortunes they allegedly made through those crimes.

He said if the government is serious about restoring trust and cleaning up the economy, criminals must face justice.

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Committee calls for an expedited forensic investigation of Communi-Care

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Picture: Communicare Property

By KEDIBONE MOALETSI

12 November 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has urged the Department of Human Settlements to expedite the forensic investigation into ownership of building stock owned by Communi-Care. The committee received a presentation from the national Department of Human Settlements and the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure on the eviction of elderly people from Communi-Care properties, which started in 2018.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Nocks Seabi said categorically that the context of these planned evictions should be established to ensure that there is clarity on whether the Communi-Care Social Housing provider received funding support from the Social Housing Regulatory Authority. Seabi said the forensic investigation must also ascertain whether the social housing provider adhered to the prescripts of the law in the management of their properties, which falls under the Social Housing Act.

“It is the committee’s view that social housing remains a strategic tool to break historical spatial inequalities, fosters inclusive communities and drives economic development. In this context, the reported evictions are both concerning and potentially reverse the advances made within the sector.

“While the committee acknowledges the complexities within the social housing sector, especially the non-payment of rental as per lease agreements, it has called for a measured approach in managing social housing,” he said.

Seabi further said they encourage people to always pay their agreed rentals to ensure the effective management of properties, but they are aware that families have lived for a long time in those properties and their current material conditions should be taken into consideration. He added that the committee also found it unacceptable that a resolution on the matter has not been finalised, despite first being reported in 2018.

“Also concerning is the fact that the agreed detailed audit of residents has not been conducted to ascertain if some of them are eligible to access various products offered by the Department of Human Settlements.

“It is unacceptable that despite an undertaking that this will be done by 28 May 2024 nothing has been done to date. This shows clear disregard and lack of compassion by stakeholders, including the provincial government, the municipality and Communi-Care. This process must be undertaken with urgency,” said Seabi.

Meanwhile, he said the committee has recommended that the evictions be halted until the investigation and the audit have been concluded because of the need to understand the details around the whole matter. Seabi said the committee welcomed the assurance from the Director-General of the national DHS that he will convene a meeting with the province and the city to find solutions to the stalled audit and halting the evictions.

“Despite this, the committee considered it unacceptable that the City of Cape Town was not represented in the meeting, particularly in the context of the challenges facing residents of Communi-Care social housing projects.

“The committee will soon invite Communi-Care to engage with the social housing provider on their perspective on the evictions and the management of their properties,” he said.

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Mokgosi committed to bring dignity to communities through housing delivery

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Picture: The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi /Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

12 November 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi has hailed the multi-million rand housing project at Tshing Township in Ventersdorp as a significant step towards bringing back the people’s dignity. Mokgosi said this bold move by the North West Department of Human Settlements will see 1500 beneficiaries moving into their new houses before the end of the 2026/2027 financial year.

Mokgosi who was accompanied by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, executive mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality, Gaba Thithiba ka Qhele and Head of Department (HOD, Kgomotso Mahlobo, visited the area on Friday last week as part of Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme to assess progress on the construction of the houses as well as hand over of five completed houses to beneficiaries.

“It is important to deliver houses to communities as this act is not only about ensuring beneficiaries have a roof over their heads, but realising their right to live in safety and dignity in a decent home. We also urge beneficiaries to refrain from selling their houses or renting them out to foreigners who later turn them into spaza shops or unlicensed liquor stores.

“We have noted that there are beneficiaries who have been in the waiting list from as early as the dawn of democracy. As a government, we are pleased that soon those beneficiaries will be moving into their houses, but our challenge is that the very same beneficiaries, after receiving the houses, sell or rent them out and go back to living in the informal settlements,’’ he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Betty Gama (85) lived in a two room shack for seven years with her son, Botha Gama (28). The family has been surviving on old age grants.

According to Gama, their shack burnt down with everything inside forcing them to find solace from neighbours. She is one of the beneficiaries who were prioritised to receive a house as she did not have a proper place to stay.

“I have nothing but praise for the department. The assistance and support I received from the government is impressive. I was carried by my shoulders through a difficult time of my life and my dignity was restored through provision of a wonderful new home,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Petros Shuping (70), who lives with his family of four, spent many years living in a dilapidated shack which made their stay very unpleasant during the rainy season and the cold weather. The Shuping family depends on government grants for survival as they also experience scarcity of jobs or employment in the area.

Meanwhile, Molapisi said: “The Tshing housing project is one of the fastest moving projects in the province and this is all made possible by the dedication and commitment shown by contractors. We would like to applaud the contractors on ensuring the houses are built in excellent standards and handed over to rightful beneficiaries.

“As department, we are ensuring we work hand in hand with our contractors to improve housing delivery. We would like to thank all the contractors working on this project to ensure that our communities are provided with decent houses.”  

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Nigerian man nabbed for dealing in drugs

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Picture: Some of the drugs seized by the police/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

12 November 2025- The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in conjunction with the North West Provincial Anti-Gang Unit and Provincial Drugs Task Team arrested a Nigerian national (32) in Klerksdorp for alleged unlawful possession of drugs on 12 November 2025. The Hawks said its team received a tip-off regarding a Nigerian man alleged to be dealing in drugs in Klerksdorp.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said a search was conducted at his flat, which led to the discovery of suspected drugs, including crystal meth, mandrax tablets, rock, kat and ecstasy tablets with an estimated value of R50 000. Mathebula said the suspect will appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 13 November 2025, facing charges of unlawful possession of drugs.

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Ke mang yo o tla tlhopiwang jaaka meiyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung?

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Setshwantsho: Nonteto Tafani, MosetsanagapeMosinkiemang le Itumeleng Maribe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

12 Ngwanatsele 2025- Lekoko la ANC mono Bokone Bophirima le tlhalositse fa le setse le rometse maina a batho ba le bararo ba ba tla tsenelang dipotsolotso ka maitlhomo a gore mongwe mo go bone a tlhopiwe jaaka meiyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung. Se se tla morago ga gore meiyara wa ga jaana, Tumisang Gaoraelwe, a kopiwe go itokolola mo tirong.

Gaoraelwe one a kopiwa ke lekoko la gagabo la ANC go itokolola mo tirong jaaka meiyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung morago ga ditatofatso tsa go amega mo dikotsing tsa tsela di le mmalwa ka dijanaga tsa masepala. Go kaiwa fa Gaoraelwe o gogwa fela ka leoto mo nkgong, mme morago a kgweetse dijanaga tsa masepala mme seo se lebise kwa go amegeng mo dikotsing tsa tsela.   

Go begwa fa maina a mararo a rometsweng kwa ntlo-kgolo ya ANC kwa Johannesburg go seka-sekiwa ele la molekgotlha Mosetsanagape Mosinkiemang yo a ikarabelang ka ditiro tsa baagi (Community Services) mo komiting ya ga meiyara, molekgotlha Nonteto Tafani yo a ikarabelang ka ditirelo tsa kgwebo (Cooperate Service) go komiti ya ga meiyara, le molekgotlha Itumeleng Maribe yo a ikarabelang ka tsa mafaratlhatlha (Technical Services and Infrastructure) go komiti ya ga meiyara.

Sebueledi sa lekoko la ANC mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Tumelo Maruping wa tlhalosa.      

“O tla gopola gore moshupa-tsela wa rona wa 2021, o tlhalosa fa komiti-khuduthamaga ya rona ya bosetshaba (National Executive Committee) e ile ya tlhama phanele e mo go yone e ileng ya dumalana gore go tla tlhagisiwa maina a le mararo ka motsi wa fa go tlhopiwa meiyara wa masepala mongwe le mongwe o ka fa tlase ga taolo ya ANC.

“Jaanong, jaaka o itse gore ANC e ile ya tsaya tshwetso ya go tlosa Gaoraelwe mo tirong jaaka meiyara, go setse go tlhagisitswe maina a le mararo ke porofense ka tumalano ya sedika sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati go ka a isa kwa ntlo-kgolo ya lekoko kwa Luthuli House go ka seka-sekiwa ke komiti-khuduthamaga ya lekoko,” Maruping wa tlhalosa.

Maruping are batho ba ba tlhopilweng, ba tla tsenela dipotsolotso. Maruping are mongwe mo go bone yo o dirileng bontle go gaisa kwa dipotsolotsong, o tla tsitsinngwa go kokomala setulo sa bo meiyara.

“Go itokolola mo tirong ga meiyara wa ga jaana, Gaoraelwe, go tla konosediwa mo go yone beke e. Re setse re mo itsisitse ka lekwalo, ga mmogo le TROIKA ya masepala. Jaanong seo, se solofetswe go ka konosediwa mo go yone beke e,” Maruping wa tlhalosa.     

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ANC welcomes positive turnaround in employment figures

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Picture: Some of job seekers/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

12 November 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it welcomes the encouraging news released by Statistics South Africa showing a significant and broad-based improvement in the employment landscape. The party said the official unemployment rate has declined by 1.3% to 31.9%, while the expanded definition has dropped by 0.6% to 42.4% in the third quarter of 2025.

The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said this progress reflects the tangible impact of coordinated economic interventions and the ANC’s 10-Point Plan to grow the economy, create jobs, and restore hope among its people. Bhengu said more than 248 000 new jobs were created during the quarter, bringing total employment to over 17.1 million South Africans, the highest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

She further said the number of unemployed persons decreased by 360 000, confirming that the country is steadily shifting from despair to renewal.

Bhengu added that this positive momentum underscores that their collective efforts to rebuild the economy, stabilise energy supply and accelerate infrastructure investment are beginning to bear fruit.

“The ANC is encouraged that the state’s strategic support for key sectors, including manufacturing, construction, agriculture and tourism, is helping to reignite economic activity and expand opportunities for ordinary South Africans. However, while we celebrate this progress, the ANC remains concerned that far too many of our people are still without work.

“The fight against unemployment remains our foremost priority. The ANC calls on government, labour and business to deepen collaboration in unlocking industrial investment, supporting small and medium enterprises, and ensuring that every public rand spent contributes to productive and inclusive growth,” said Bhengu.

She said as they enter the festive season, the ANC urges employers, particularly in retail, hospitality, logistics and agriculture, to build on this progress by protecting and expanding jobs, ensuring decent working conditions and paying workers on time. Bhengu said the movement’s vision remains rooted in building an economy that works for all, where young people, women and rural communities are fully part of South Africa’s growth story.

“The ANC’s 10-Point Economic Plan, focusing on energy security, water provision, infrastructure rollout, industrialisation, and employment creation, continues to guide the Government of National Unity’s actions. This progress signals that South Africa is indeed turning the corner towards a period of stability, renewal, and inclusive growth. The ANC salutes all South Africans, workers, entrepreneurs and communities, whose resilience and hard work are driving this recovery,” she said.

Bhengu said together, they are rebuilding our economy, restoring dignity, and realising the promise of a better life for all.

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Motsumi condemns overloading of learners in a minibus taxi

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Picture: Learners overloaded in a minibus taxi/Screegrab

By REGINALD KANYANE

12 November 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she condemns in strongest terms the overloading of learners in the minibus taxis when learners are ferried to and back to school. Motsumi’s reaction comes after the traffic officers have impounded a 15-seater minibus taxi which was transporting 29 learners to school in Mahikeng on Tuesday.

She further reiterated the words of the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, who implored all the public transport to adhere to the regulators. Motsumi added that they are appealing to all public transport operators who are transporting learners to comply with the rules of the road.

“We further appeal to all parents whose children are using the public transport to check their transport before leaving for school. They must monitor if it’s not overloaded or not, if so they should look for an alternative transport. Our learners are currently writing examinations and we request our public transport operators to be extremely cautious on the road during this period.

“The department is requesting School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and principals to play an active role in verifying all means of transport that learners use and report unsafe practices immediately to relevant authorities,” she said.

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Uncle sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for raping his nephew

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

12 November 2025- A man (30) was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the Christiana Regional Court for rape. This comes after the accused, Boikanyo Seemohela raped his nephew (9) in 2021.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the investigations revealed that Seemohela is the uncle of the victim. Gunya said the accused, the victim’s mother, and the victim, were staying together in a three-bedroom house in Christiana.

“The mother slept in the bedroom alone, and the victim slept with his uncle on a mattress in the sitting room. Evidence presented in court revealed that between August and September 2021, Seemohela would wait for the mother of the victim to go to sleep, whilst on the mattress, he undressed the victim and sexually assaulted him.

“After the incident, the victim was afraid to inform his mother. The mother became aware of the assault after 8 months, while the victim was bathing, he bent, and the mother noticed something strange on him and confronted him. After being confronted, he told his mother about the assault by his uncle,” he said.

Gunya further said the case was opened and the uncle was arrested. He added that Seemohela was later released on bail, but it was cancelled after he absconded during the trial.

“He was remanded in custody until the finalisation of the trial. During the trial, he pleaded not guilty and denied his involvement in the assault. In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Gcinumuzi Radebe, argued that the offence is serious and prevalent of rape in his arguments. He articulated that Seemohela’s actions constituted a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and lasting trauma.

“In handing down the judgment, the court found that the rape degraded the dignity of the victim and the courts have a duty to protect the victims.  Finding substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, the court imposed 18 years imprisonment, and his name was to be included in the sex offender registry,” said Gunya.

Meanwhile, Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, praised Radebe, the investigating officer, and the South African Police Service for their diligent collaboration. Makhari said the NPA remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and holding perpetrators accountable.

“This conviction sends a clear message that the NPA will relentlessly pursue GBV perpetrators, ensuring justice restores safety and dignity for victims. The NPA’s partnership with Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) provided critical psychosocial support to the victim, reflecting its victim-centric approach,” she said.

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North West Provincial Treasury welcomes new cohort of interns

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Picture: Head of Department of North West Provincial Treasury, Ndlela Kunene

By AGISANANG SCUFF  

12 November 2025- The North West Provincial Treasury said it welcomes its new intake of interns as they commence their journey in the workplace environment. The department said this initiative forms part of the department’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, skills development and strengthening the professional capacity of the public sector.

The Head of Department, Ndlela Kunene said through the internship programme, young graduates will gain valuable exposure across critical areas of the Treasury’s mandate ranging from financial governance, supply chain management, infrastructure management, macro-economic analysis, communication, research and administration. Kunene said this practical workplace experience will enable interns to contribute meaningfully to improved financial management and efficient service delivery within the province.

“An internship serves as the foundation for future employment. So, interns must take full advantage of this opportunity by building strong professional networks and working collaboratively with supervisors and mentors. This programme is not only preparation for roles within Provincial Treasury, but for the broader world of work.

“Education and ethical behaviour is important and we urge you to pursue further qualifications to enhance your competitiveness. We have a collective responsibility to address the socio-economic challenges our country continues to face. We need fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from young people who are ready to be part of the solution,” he said.

Kunene further said honesty, transparency and professionalism must guide everything they do.

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