12 December 2025- In reaffirming the SAPS pledge to root out all crime this festive period, a team composed of members from the ZF Mgcawu District Task Team and Upington Crime Prevention, arrested an alleged drug dealer (30) in Raaswater on 9 December 2025. The police said this comes after they received a tip‑off regarding a man allegedly selling drugs in Raaswater.
ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the team operationalised the intelligence and secured a search warrant authorizing them to search the premises. Masegela said a coordinated search of the premises was conducted where Tik (methamphetamine) and Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R 140 200 were discovered hidden in a container on the roof of the house.
“The suspect is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court soon. The operation underscores our commitment to the community policing strategy to prevent, combat, and investigate crime.
“SAPS commended the informer for this brave action of sharing pivotal information which resulted in a positive success,” she said.
Picture: Law enforcement officials during roadblock/ Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
12 December 2025- The police said Operation Shanela 2 Safer Festive Season operations continue to gain momentum with disruptive actions. The police said the operation is comprised of SAPS members from Kimberley, Galeshewe, Kagisho, the Tactical Response Team, Flying Squad, Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, K9 Unit, Mounted Unit, Provincial Firearms, Liquor and Second Hand Goods (FLASH), Proactive Policing, ORS, the Northern Cape Liquor Board, Sol Plaatje Municipal Traffic, Peace Officers and the Department of Home Affairs.
The Kimberley police spokesperson, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said a parade was conducted under the Operational command of the Kimberley Police Station Commander, Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana together with Brigadier Simon Bopape from the FLASH Head Office participating in the police actions. Gopane said several Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) were set up across the greater Kimberley area, during which 204 vehicles were stopped and 334 persons searched.
“Multiple traffic fines amounting to R24 450 were issued along with admission of guilt fines totalling R3000. In addition, pamphlets were distributed to motorists. Compliance inspections were carried out at tuck shops, shebeens and liquor outlets.
“Four businesses were closed for non-compliance and fines were issued. During the second phase of the operation, high-visibility patrols were conducted, including stop-and-search activities,” she said.
Picture: A missing woman, Ichrene Savada Sussana Windstaan found unharmed/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 December 2025- The police in Kakamas said a woman, Ichrene Savada Sussana Windstaan (40), who was recently reported as missing, has been found through the assistance of the public and is safely reunited with her family. The police said they acknowledge and appreciate the community members who are always willing to assist in policing.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the public is urged to stay safe this festive season by enhancing child safety precautions and security measures. Masegela said incidents can be reported to the police on SAPS Emergency line 08600 10111/ MySAPSApp.
12 December 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Friday applauded the recent three life terms of imprisonment imposed on convicted Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) perpetrator, Mothupi Tjale Tau (36) from Brooklyn in Sekhukhune District by the Limpopo High Court. SAUCIC said Tau who had presented himself as a prophet to offer spiritual guidance to the Malepe family, was given additional 37 years imprisonment for multiple offences, including two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
SAUCIC President Cardinal Arch Bishop Dr Patrick Modiri Shole said on behalf of affiliated Federations of Charismatic, Evangelical Outreach Mission Ministries and Pentecostal Churches, they trust that the stiff sentence would serve as a different to other heartless perpetrators of GBVF who are abusing their authority, as well as trust gained by virtue of them masquerading as servants of God, while they are deceitful and manipulative wolves in sheep skin.
Shole expressed hope that the family that had lost two of their loved ones, i.e. Helen Teiwa Malepe and her daughter Kgaogelo Michelle Malepe will find closure knowing that justice has been served.
“The appropriate sentence will go a long way towards restoring confidence in the criminal justice system, while also sending an unequivocal message against gender-based violence and femicide.
“Characters like Tau who target vulnerable victims that are desperate are scammers and fraudsters that are a disgrace to the Body of Christ and also bring the church into disrepute,” he said.
Shole further said his coldblooded murder of the mother and her daughter, as well as the despicable rape are heinous and treacherous acts. He added that the trauma that Tau had caused to the boy (5), by subjecting him to barbaric and psychological torture was unimaginable and heartrending to say the least.
“Tau’s removal from society as per the court judgement is not only appropriate but desirable for the safety of everyone in the area. The court had found that Tau, who had pleaded not guilty, presented himself at the Oaks village to the house of the deceased, Hellen Malepe between 29 and 30 December 2023, to demand money for services rendered.
“He forcefully dragged the deceased from her house to the nearby bushes, where he stabbed her multiple times leaving her for dead, robbing her of her cell phone before fleeing the scene,” said Shole.
He said the accused then went back to the house of the deceased (mother) and found the second deceased, her daughter and strangled her until she was unconscious, thereafter raped her inside their home. Shole said Tau also inflicted grievous bodily injuries on her.
“She later succumbed to her injuries and was certified dead at the scene inside her home. After the ordeal, he stuffed her son (5) with a jersey in his mouth, tied him with a masking tape around his mouth and tied his hands behind his back and locked him inside the house, leaving him in full exposure of her deceased sister’s lifeless body.
“After thorough investigation by the police, the accused was arrested and kept in custody until his trial. The accused was ultimately found guilty of these charges after he claimed that he was not responsible for these vile acts,” he said.
Shole said the court further ordered for his name to be registered in the National Register of the Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the firearms control Act 60 of 2000. He said the accused is further not eligible to work with children.
Picture: Drugs confiscated during Operation Shanela II/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 December 2025- As part of Shanela II and Safer Festive Season activities, a joint operation involving Upington Border Police, K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence acted on information regarding alleged drug activity at a residence in Paballelo. A search and seizure warrant was executed, leading to the discovery of a significant quantity of dagga on 11 December 2025.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the discovered dagga estimated at a street value of R189 000 was confiscated. Masegela said the police arrested a man (26) for dealing in dagga and he is expected to appear in court soon.
“This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between SAPS units. We will continue to disrupt the supply and trade of illicit substances in our communities,” she said.
The Guardian 