Daily Archives: December 29, 2025

1325 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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

By REGINALD KANYANE

29 December 2025- The police in North West and other law enforcement agencies have apprehended 1325 suspects for different crimes between 22 and 28 December 2025, during weekly high density Shanela 2 Safer Festive Season operations conducted across the province. The police said the suspects were arrested for different crimes, including murder, rape, assault with the intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, dealing in drugs, dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, among others.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said out of the 1325 arrested suspects, 344 were arrested by the Detectives as being on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists. Mokgwabone said the operations also addressed identified crime generators through Joint Law Enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts.

“As a result, 28 unlicensed liquor outlets were closed and large quantities of liquor were confiscated. In addition, the operations led to the confiscation of eight firearms, 84 rounds of ammunition, 17 cell phones, three vehicles, a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, fireworks, and tobacco products.

“In Sun City, in the Bojanala Sub-District 2, five suspects aged between 25 and 37, were on 27 December 2025, arrested at different addresses in Ledig village, near Sun City, for possession of drugs. The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-driven multidisciplinary operation. During the arrests, the police confiscated drugs such as mandrax, rock, crystal meth, nyaope and khat, with an estimated street value of R10 500,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said in addition, the team confiscated R18 000 cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. He added that the suspects are expected to appear in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court for possession of drugs.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded all law enforcement agencies members for arresting the suspects as part of ensuring the wellbeing and safety of their communities during the Christmas holidays.

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Bafana Bafana bracing for a tough match

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos

By OBAKENG MAJE

29 December 2025- Bafana Bafana are bracing for a tough match when they face Zimbabwe in a crunch final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B encounter on 29 December 2025. The COSAFA neighbours will face off in a match that will most likely determine who finishes runners-up in the group and also confirm passage to the Last 16 stage of this continental competition.

While the two teams have faced each other several times over the years, this will be the first time that they meet in an AFCON tournament. South African senior men’s national team coach Hugo Broos said they expect a tough match against a team they have played against several times during the four years he has been at the helm.

“It’s not the first time we play against Zimbabwe and in the four years I have been a coach in South Africa, Zimbabwe have been in our group in the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup. So, we know them very well.

“They know us very well too and they would like to win against us. We felt that already in the previous matches. So again, it will be tough tomorrow, and we have to achieve our best level to get a good result,” said Broos.

Nkosinathi Sibisi further said they know that a victory will also be good motivation going into the next round. Sibisi added that, for them, they are really looking forward to playing the game and hopefully getting a result.

Bafana Bafana beat Angola 2-1 in Marrakech in their opening match of the tournament a week ago and then suffered a 0-1 defeat to Egypt in Agadir in a dramatic second outing that has been the subject of furious debates around the world since Friday.

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A learner dies after being forced into initiation school

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Picture: Grade 12 learner, Onalenna Booi who died at initiation school/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

29 December 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they were shocked and devastated to learn about the death of Onalenna Booi (19), a Grade 12 learner from Tiego Tawana Secondary School in Dithakong East Village, near Mahikeng. Motsumi alleged that Booi died after he was forcefully taken to an initiation school after finishing the writing of his matric examinations in late November 2025.

She further said it is reported that the family did not know about Booi’s whereabouts and they reported it to the police. Motsumi added that it was reported that the family found the deceased’s body on 26 December 2025.

“On behalf of the North West Department of Education, I hereby wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the entire family and the school community of Tiego Tawana Secondary School. It is really sad to receive such news while we, as a country, are waiting for the results of the Class of 2025.

“I am confident that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will be able to get to the bottom of this matter and that those responsible will be found and brought to justice. We will ensure that the family, learners and teachers are provided with psychosocial support during this difficult period,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Tiego Tawana Secondary School principal, Pogiso Tshipo highlighted that he was expecting a bachelor from this learner. Tshipo said as the school principal for this learner, he is extremely devastated by the sad news.

“I was expecting a bachelor pass from this learner because I know that he was one of the hard-working group of learners. I remember that I spoke to him around September 2025 and he promised to do well in his examinations.

“He was naughty just like all other learners, but when he started Grade 12, his behaviour drastically changed. You could see that this was a learner who was hungry and determined to perform well in his Grade 12 class,” he said.

Tshipo said they had 59 Grade 12 learners, now next year, he will be releasing the results to only 58 learners. He said he does not even know how they are going to handle this process as the school.

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