Daily Archives: December 25, 2025

Church leader denied bail

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By AGISANANG SCUFF  

25 December 2025- The Specialised Commercial Crimes Court denied bail to a leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana (64). His co-accused, a Judge of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria Judge, Portia Phahlane (57), her son Kagiso Phahlane (32) and Vusi Soli Ndala (49), were granted bail.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said all four accused are collectively facing 19 counts of corruption. Mahanjana said it is alleged that between 2021 and 2022, Ndala and Sandlana made payments of about R2.4 million on different occasions to different banking accounts, to and for the benefit of Phahlane, in order for her to preside over Sandlana’s ongoing civil case at the high court and ultimately rule in his favour.

“After intensive prosecution-led investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team led to the arrest of the four accused persons on 25 and 26 November 2025. 

“In court, during the bail application, Sandlana, through his legal representative, asked to be released on bail claiming that the state does not have a strong case against him and that he cooperated with the police because he handed himself over,” she said.

Mahanjana said furthermore, Sandlana told the court that he has nine children, three of whom are minors that he is taking care of and that he is leading an NGO named Michael Sandlana Foundation that is currently helping to fund 22 students studying at a Russian University and also provides education and housing to the less fortunate across South Africa and SADC regions.

She added that he said that he had knowledge of an alleged scuffle between his security and the police at his church premises on the night of his arrest, however he was not present at his premises.

“He said that he suffers from a life-threatening chronic ailment, he does not have any previous convictions as they have been expunged and that he is currently on trial in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where he is facing charges of fraud.

“However, the state opposed his release on bail and read into the record an affidavit by the Investigating Officer stating that the accused filed an urgent motion application to the Pretoria High Court on 1 December 2025, requesting to be released on bail due to his medical condition,” said Mahanjana.

She said the state further argued that after Sandlana committed these offenses while on bail on an unrelated matter at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where he is downplaying his involvement in the matter which then shows the court that his release on bail will not stop him from committing other offences. Mahanjana said it was said that Sandlana has changed his ID number thrice, blaming it on the Department of Home Affairs and has two birth certificates that were tempered with.

“In addition, the state mentioned that Sandlana submitted two different addresses stating them as his place of residence and that through cellular evidence, it shows that on the night of the alleged scuffle, Sandlana was indeed at the church premises.

“The Magistrate agreed with the state that the accused is charged with serious offences that are not only prevalent in our country, but also globally and that both Sandlana’s birth certificates are tempered with,” she said.

Meanwhile, the magistrate highlighted that the two home addresses provided by Sandlana and him moving from one location to another may result in difficulties locating him. Moreover, she said that through the evidence provided, the court can conclude that Sandlana was present at his church premises on the night of the alleged scuffle, but did not want to get arrested.

“In addition, this is a high-profile case that will be made a historical matter in the judiciary and legal fraternity.

“The negative factors of his conduct may jeopardise and undermine the peace and security of the public, invite public disturbance and jeopardise the public confidence in the criminal justice system,” she said.

The magistrate found that the evidence shows that Sandlana poses a flight risk and that he has a blatant disregard of the law, therefore bail was denied. The matter was postponed to 6 March 2026, for further investigations.

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Harmony Gold Mine donates 400 desks to school

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

25 December 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has hailed Mokete Flatela (56), who is a Mathematics and Science teacher from Nkang Mahlale Secondary School in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp, for soliciting the sponsor of 400 desks for his school.

Motsumi said Flatela has been a teacher for 30 years and believes that one needs to be a solution to a problem rather than be an additional problem.

She further said when he worked at Lerothodi Secondary School in Bethanie village, he realised that the school needed infrastructural attention and wrote letters to the nearby mines. Motsumi added that, through Flatela’s intervention, the school was renovated to the tune of R3 million.

“Indeed, his contribution made a huge difference to the school. At the beginning of the 2025 academic year, Flatela was allocated a classroom that did not have adequate school furniture.

“Every time when learners had to change periods, teachers were frustrated because the learners did not have furniture in the classes they were moving to,” she said.

Motsumi said this situation necessitated Flatela to write letters to the private sector to request school furniture for his learners. She said the Harmony Gold Mine responded positively to his request for the 400 desks.

“We would like to praise Flatela for his heroism. I wish to thank him for the heroism he displayed at Nkang Mahlale Secondary School. His conviction and dedication did not allow him to limit himself to his position at the school.

“He believed that seeking help for their school is not the sole responsibility of the principal alone but for everyone in the school to take the responsibility,” said Motsumi.

She regards him as a hero in their schools and she believes that they need many more Flatelas in the education system. Motsumi said the government does not have all the resources to cover every need in all their schools.

“We encourage our community members to raise their hands like Flatela and make a difference from any space they are in. It is true that ‘It takes a village to raise a child.

“Ngwana ke sejo oa tlhakanelwa.’ The government alone cannot make it if the general society does not come to the party. On behalf of the entire department, l would like to thank and appreciate Harmony Gold Mine for their donation of desks to Nkang Mahlale Secondary School,” she said.

Motsumi said she takes this moment to challenge other companies to support schools across the province. She said the Harmony Gold Mine has already delivered 200 double desks and the other 200 is reported to be delivered soon.

Meanwhile, Flatela said: “After realising that my learners were struggling without the school furniture, I could not wait for the department to deliver but to take it upon myself. I did not even inform my school principal about my little project of soliciting furniture for the learners.

“They only knew when Harmony Gold Mine requested a school letterhead on the request letter. I was over the moon after I heard that my request had been approved.”

Flatela said he knew that these desks were going to change the quality of the African child education and he thanked Harmony Gold Mine for their positive response to his request.

“My passion for education is fully realised when l see learners able to acquire education in a conducive learning environment,” said Flatela.

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Residents benefit from a new school in Koffiekraal  

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Picture: The newly-built school in Koffiekraal/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 December 2025- The North West Department of Education, through the Thuntsa Lerole programme which is aimed at accelerating service delivery to the public, revealed that Thebe Ya Tlhajwa Secondary School in Koffiekraal village, received two brick-and-mortar classrooms and a borehole during a visit conducted on 15 December 2025. The department said Thebe Ya Tlhajwa Secondary School, which consistently achieves 95% matric results, has been experiencing challenges related to overcrowding and a shortage of water.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said although the school was provided with mobile classrooms to address space constraints, it lacked a hall to accommodate examination sessions. Motsumi said the department, through a new programme, constructed two brick-and-mortar classrooms at Thebe Ya Tlhajwa Secondary School to address overcrowding.

“Construction of the classrooms commenced on 02 October 2025 and was completed on 21 October 2025. All in all the project took only two weeks and the learners began to use the new classrooms on 23 October 2025.

“The department is implementing a permanent solution to address overcrowding in schools. In our efforts to permanently address overcrowding and reduce the use of mobile classrooms, we have introduced a new approach of constructing two brick-and-mortar classrooms at various schools.

“This approach will enable us to provide permanent infrastructure to schools including all other strategies that the department is implementing,” she said.

Motsumi further said whenever they intervene to assist a school, they will ensure that the school is left with long lasting structures. She added that another advantage is that the two classrooms are built in less than a month by local contractors.

“The programme is aimed at uplifting local contractors because we are aware that some do not get a chance in those big projects. Already, the programme of building the two classrooms in the Bojanala District so far has been implemented in Naauwpoort, Boons, Meriti and here in Koffiekraal.

“The Grade 12 learners for the very first time wrote their final examination in their school in these new classes. The department has drilled a borehole and it will be finalised before the reopening of schools in 2026,” said Motsumi.

She said in 2026, learners will have an opportunity to get fresh water from the borehole.

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Lehari to visit Mahikeng Provincial Hospital to welcome Christmas babies

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By REGINALD KANYANE

25 December 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari will on Christmas Day visit Mahikeng Provincial Hospital to receive and welcome babies born on this special day. Lehari spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi said the visit forms part of the department’s commitment to celebrating new life, while acknowledging the dedication of healthcare workers who continue to serve communities during the festive season.

“During the visit, Lehari will interact with mothers, families and healthcare professionals and extend words of encouragement and goodwill to all those spending Christmas in health facilities.

“The visit will take place at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital on 25 December 2025, at 8am,” said Mothibedi.

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SIU freezes property linked to the late actor, Presley Chweneyagae

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By OBAKENG MAJE

25 December 2025- The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze a residential property in Hesteapark, Pretoria, linked to the late actor, Presley Chweneyagae, his spouse and several other respondents in a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption case.

SIU said the order, handed down by Judge M Victor on 18 December 2025, is directed against Charlaine Christinah Chweneyagae, in her personal capacity and as Executrix of her late husband’s estate, as well as Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla, the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd and others.

SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said: “The order prohibits any sale, transfer, lease, encumbrance, or disposal of a home in Pretoria, Gauteng, pending the finalisation of civil proceedings to be instituted by the SIU within 60 court days.

“The property is alleged to have been purchased with approximately R889 000 diverted from a R15 million NLC grant meant for youth arts programmes.” 

Kganyago further said the SIU’s investigation found that the grant was approved for the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, represented by Sigudla — and subsequently channelled through Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd, a company solely owned by the late Presley Chweneyagae to acquire the private residence. He added that the primary mission of the SIU is to recover proceeds from beneficiaries of NLC grant funding who are involved in unlawful activities, thereby restoring the state’s financial losses.

“Authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa through Proclamation R32 of 2020, the SIU is dedicated to investigating allegations of corruption and maladministration within the NLC and to recovering financial losses incurred by the state.

“The order from the Special Tribunal represents an important step in the SIU’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funds,” said Kganyago.

He said the SIU is empowered to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address any wrongdoing it identifies, in accordance with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996. Kganyago said any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during investigations will be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further legal action.

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Parents urged to monitor behaviour of ‘non-progressive’ learners

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By AGISANANG SCUFF

25 December 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor the behaviour of learners who did not progress to the next grade in the 2025 academic year. Motsumi said schools across the province have issued progress reports to learners from Grade R to Grade 11.

She further said while many learners were promoted to the next grade, some did not meet the requirements for progression. Motsumi emphasised the importance of parental support and guidance during this festive period, noting that learners who did not pass may experience emotional distress, frustration or behavioural changes.

“I take this moment to plead with all parents and guardians of those learners, who did not progress to the next grade. I am pleading with them to closely monitor the behaviour of those children because some did not accept the outcome of the results.

“This denial of accepting the results sometimes leads to emotional depression. Sometimes such children tend to behave differently due to such pressure,” she added.

Motsumi advised parents and guardians, whenever they see an unusual behaviour, they should urgently seek help from faith‑based leaders and anyone who can help them. She is expected to release the matric results on 13 January 2026.

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A Saulsville tavern shooting case postponed  

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

25 December 2025- A man (32) from Limpopo appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court over Saulsville tavern shooting. He is facing charges of 12 counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that in the early hours of 6 December 2025, at approximately 4am, the accused was at a tavern in Saulsville Hostel, where him and his two accomplices allegedly shot and killed twelve people and attempted to kill thirteen others. Mahanjana said after an intensive investigation by the police, the accused was arrested on 22 December 2025, in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, while he was already in custody for an unrelated matter.

“In court, the matter was postponed to 31 December 2025, for bail investigations,” she said.

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20 excavators, two delivery vehicles and two trucks confiscated during illegal mining operation

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Picture: 20 excavators, two delivery vehicles and two trucks confiscated during illegal mining operation/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 December 2025 – As part of clamping down on the illicit economy, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, led a multidisciplinary illegal mining operation on a farm in Kroondal, outside Rustenburg. The operation was executed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), District and Rustenburg Visible Policing, Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police (POP), Provincial Detectives, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and Glencore Mine officials. 

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said although the suspects fled into the bushes and evaded arrest, the police confiscated equipment used in illegal mining, which included 20 excavators, two light delivery vehicles and two trucks. Mokgwabone said investigations into the illegal mining activities in the area and others in the province are underway.

“Naidoo warned that the police, in collaboration with other role players, will act decisively against illegal mining to protect the legitimate economy and residents whose lives are affected by these unlawful acts,” he said.

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A man nabbed for attempted murder

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By REGINALD KANYANE

25 December 2025- A man (45) was arrested for an attempted murder of his former girlfriend in Plooysburg. According to the police, even though the accused, Gordon Marko Adams was arrested on 23 December 2025, in Kimberley, the incident took place in November 2025.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said Adams was arrested through intelligence-driven information after he was spotted in the Kimberley Central Business District (CBD) at approximately 11:30am. Litabe said his arrest follows a successful tracing operation by an operative from Crime Intelligence (CI), who saw him at a store in Kimberley and immediately alerted the Investigation Officer, Sergeant Piet Langeveld.

“The Kimberley Flying Squad, together with the Kimberley Public Order Police was alerted to assist and arrested the suspect.

“It is alleged that on 23 November 2025, a woman (20), was at her home on Kaldroom Farm when Adams allegedly arrived and followed her into another room and closed the door behind them,” he said.

Litabe said he reportedly assaulted her by hitting her in the eye with his fist before producing an okapi knife and a panga. He said this was allegedly followed by a stabbing of the victim near her right eye and hacking to her left arm.

“The suspect then fled the scene. A case of attempted murder was then registered at Plooysburg Police Station.

“Adams appeared in the Magistrate’s Court in Douglas on charges of attempted murder and his case was postponed to the 2 January 2026, in order for him to secure a legal representation,” said Litabe.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, thanked all the members who were involved for impressive collaborative work that led to the arrest of a dangerous criminal.

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Otola congratulates newly-promoted police officers

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Picture: Some of newly-promoted police officers/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

25 December 2025- The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and Provincial Management extend its heartfelt congratulations to all members who have been promoted with effect from 1 December 2025. Otola said these promotions are a clear recognition of dedication, discipline, professionalism and commitment to serving the people of the Northern Cape with integrity.

She further said it reflects the confidence that the organisation has in their ability to take on greater responsibility and to lead by example. Otola added that a total of 353 members were promoted across the province, including 114 constables promoted to Sergeant, 220 Sergeants promoted to Warrant Officers and 19 Warrant Officers from band B1 to band B2.

“District Commissioners and Station Commanders across all five districts conferred the ranks to the newly-promoted members. As you assume your new ranks you are encouraged to continue upholding the core values of the SAPS, to execute your duties with excellence, and to inspire those under your command.

“Your leadership will play a critical role in strengthening service delivery and enhancing community safety,” she said.

Otola said management wishes all members continued success and trust that they will rise to the challenges of their new responsibilities with pride and distinction.

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