31 January 2026- The corruption case against Dr Malusi Gigaba together with Anoj Singh, the former Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO), Brian Molefe, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Transnet, Siyabonga Gama, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Thamsanqa Jiyane who was the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) was postponed to 19 February 2026, for the matter to be enrolled and heard in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the state confirmed on record the service of the notice of trial and indictments on the accused. Mamothame said the indictments served on the accused relate to the period in which Transnet engaged in the process of acquiring locomotives to expand and modernise the country’s rail infrastructure, during which the tender processes were flouted and three contracts were irregularly awarded to provide Transnet with 95 100 and 1064 locomotives in three different contracts, resulting in a loss of billions of rands for Transnet.
30 January 2026- The North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) said the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will appear before its Ad Hoc Committee on Saturday. The Ad Hoc Committee was established to investigate allegations of interference levelled against Mokgosi by the Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Clifton J Groep.
The Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, Nathan Oliphant said Dithole Hendrick Moate, Director: Capacity Building at the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), will conclude his testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee today. Oliphant said the hearings will thereafter adjourn until tomorrow morning.
“Mokgosi, who was scheduled to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee today, will now appear on 31 January 2026, at 8am. The proceedings will be streamed live on the North West Provincial Legislature’s official Facebook account,” he said.
30 January 2026- While Europe is in the icy grip of winter, athletes are sharpening their form in Potchefstroom, drawn by the altitude, climate and a high-performance sport hub that has quietly become a base for Olympic gold medallists. Members of the Netherlands’ Olympic gold-winning 4x400m mixed relay team, including Femke Bol, Lieke Klaver and Isaya Klein Ikkink, are among the international athletes currently training at the North West University’s (NWU’s) High-Performance Institute (HPI).
Senior Lecturer and Sport Scientist at the NWU’ School for Human Movement Sciences, Dr Adele Broodryk said the group is using the integrated facility as a pre-season camp ahead of the 2026 athletics season, combining training venues, recovery services and athlete support in one precinct. Broodryk said historically, elite visitors to Potchefstroom have included legendary figures such as Gabriela Szabo of Romania, an Olympic champion in the 5000m and Olympic bronze medallist in the 1500m, Kelly Holmes of Great Britain, an Olympic gold and bronze medallist in middle-distance running and Jan Železný of the Czech Republic, a triple Olympic javelin champion (1992, 1996 and 2000).
“All these stars trained in Potchefstroom during their careers as part of their preparations in optimal conditions abroad. In addition to these historic athletics engagements, the institute continues to host notable international trainees, such as Indian javelin thrower DP Manu, who has utilised the NWU facilities for focused training.
“Potchefstroom’s sporting profile on the world stage was further enhanced during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when the Spain national football team, who went on to win the tournament, chose the city as their base camp for training and preparation, taking advantage of the altitude and excellent amenities provided by the university’s sports village and high performance centre,” she said.
Broodryk further said beyond infrastructure, Potchefstroom’s elevation of about 1350 metres above sea level remains central to its appeal for elite conditioning. She added that moderate altitude environments create physiological conditions that enhance endurance and performance without compromising training quality.
“At altitude, the body experiences reduced oxygen availability, known as hypoxia, which triggers key adaptations. This includes increased red blood cell production, improved oxygen transport and better muscle efficiency in aerobic metabolism. These changes allow athletes to return to sea-level competition with stronger endurance capacity, faster recovery and the ability to sustain higher intensities.
“Potchefstroom, while not considered a high-altitude zone, offers what I describe as an optimal training threshold. At around 1350 metres, oxygen pressure is reduced enough to stimulate adaptation without being so extreme that athletes struggle to maintain speed, power and intensity,” said Broodryk.
She said at very high altitudes, training quality often drops. Broodryk said here, athletes gain the benefits of hypoxic exposure while still performing high-intensity sessions.
Picture: Former employee of Home Affairs, Dawn Celeste Pieterson/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
30 January 2026 – Former Home Affairs employee, Dawn Celeste Pieterson (46), was sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud by the Calvinia Specialised Commercial Crime Court. This comes after Pieterson was found guilty on all nine counts of fraud, read with the provisions of section 99, 103, and 224 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977, as well as two counts of Contravention of Section 31 (1) (d) of Birth and Death Registration Act 51 of 1992.
The Hawks in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said Pieterson’s misdeeds took place between February 2019 and September 2022, when the accused person was an employee of the Department of Home Affairs based in Calvinia. Thebe said as part of her duties, she had access to the national population register.
“Pieterson took funeral covers from reputable insurance companies and nominated herself as a beneficiary. To benefit, she manipulated the national population register by falsely issuing BI-1663 forms (notice of death form) to reflect the fictitious death of the victims. The system registered the affected persons as deceased, resulting in a plethora of problems in the victims’ day-to-day lives.
“Four insurance companies suffered a combined loss of R334 634 as a result of unlawful funeral claims. On charges of fraud, the accused was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment. On contravention of the Birth and Death Registration Act taken together for sentencing, the accused was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended for five years,” he said.
Thebe said the accused was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Steven Mabuela, commended the great effort of the investigation and prosecution team.
30 January 2026- Former Municipal Manager of Phokwane Local Municipality, Advocate Matshidiso Cordelia (53), was found guilty for fraud by the Kimberley Serious Commercial Crimes Court. Cordelia was found guilty on charges of fraud and Contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2023.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said during 2018, Cordelia while serving as the Municipal Manager of Phokwane Local Municipality, she issued instructions to the Municipal Payroll Accountant for payment of car and travel allowance to 13 employees without following the applicable procedures. Thebe said Cordelia disregarded the moratorium of the municipal council that was in place at that time with her unlawful instruction.
“In addition, she unlawfully increased her remuneration package and implemented a 4% rural allowance without informing council or obtaining authorization from the Northern Cape MEC of COGSTA as required.
“All increases were backdated to July 2017, resulting in the municipality suffering substantial losses. The matter is postponed to 8 April 2026, for pre- sentencing report and sentencing,” he said.
Picture: The Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews visits Radio Kaboesna/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
30 January 2026- The Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews rolled out his “Meet and Greet” programme utilizing local community radio stations as a mouthpiece to reach communities, especially those situated in rural and far reaching areas. This week, Andrews visited Radio Kaboesna, which is based in Calvinia.
He was accompanied by the Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman and the Vispol Station Commander, Warrant Officer Hantie Hawksley. Adrews further said it was their first visit and one of many regular engagements on the community radio station’s airwaves, marking a new chapter in community police relations in the Boberg area of Namakwa District.
“Henceforth, SAPS will broadcast every Thursday at 6pm, utilizing the platform to educate communities, combat crime through public awareness, and enhance the corporate image of SAPS in the Namakwa region. A key feature of this initiative is the establishment of the Kaboesna-SAPS Helpdesk, which will provide community members with a confidential channel to report complaints and crime anonymously.
“The help desk underscores the police’s commitment to accessible, transparent and responsive policing. During the broadcast, Brigadier Andrews expressed his gratitude to Radio Kaboesna Station Management for providing this valuable airtime and opportunity to be part of the partnership policing strategy allowing media to assist and participate in crime fighting using the media platform,” he added.
Andrews also urged Calvinia residents and communities covered in the broadcasting range, to actively participate in the fight against crime by joining Community Policing Forum (CPF) structures, the Youth Against Crime initiative and the Community in Blue Patrollers structures. He cited that, it is one of his best practices to bring the community closer to the SAPS and being able to address complaints immediately, provide feedback to complainants and solve the crime in a short time period if possible, following all the processes.
Picture: A truck and taxi involved in a horrific accident
By OBAKENG MAJE
29 January 2026- KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma said the truck that was involved in a horrific accident against a taxi in Lotus Park, Isipingo, south of Durban on Thursday morning, where 11 people died, had worn-out tyres. Duma said it is illegal to be driving with worn tyres.
He further said owners of the truck must face consequences for only focusing on maximizing profit and not ensuring the roadworthiness of the truck. Duma added that the PrDP for the taxi driver has expired in 2023.
“The taxi had between 17 to 18 passengers. Three victims were taken to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, while other three victims were taken to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital. One victim was taken to eThekwini Hospital,” he said.
29 January 2026- On 13 July 2025, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System. This followed serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system in South Africa.
Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said the Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, submitted its interim report on 17 December 2025, in line with the delivery timelines that had been determined by the President. Magwenya said Ramaphosa has studied the interim report and accepts its recommendations.
“Ramaphosa further welcomes the referrals by the Commission of matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and recommended suspension of individuals.
“The Commission, in accordance with its terms of reference, makes several referrals concerning matters that require immediate further investigation by the relevant and impacted law enforcement institutions, including criminal investigations,” he said.
Magwenya further said the Commission also makes recommendations in some instances for disciplinary measures to be taken against individuals alleged to be involved in wrongdoing, including criminal acts and corruption. He added that Clause 7 of the Commission’s Terms of Reference empowers the Commission to “consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies and, where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations regarding the employment status of such officials including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.
“Clause 10.4 provides the Commission with the “power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.
“Clause 12 states that “the Commission shall, where appropriate, refer any matter for prosecution, further investigation or the convening of a separate enquiry to the appropriate law enforcement agency, government department or regulator,” said Magwenya.
He said Ramaphosa expects all law enforcement agencies and other relevant criminal justice institutions to act with speed in implementing the recommendations of the Commission’s interim report. Magwenya said such immediate action will help to restore public trust and strengthen operational capacity in the affected state entities tasked with fighting crime and corruption.
“Where the Commission has said that there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, it has made referrals for investigation by the appropriate officials in the South African Police Service, Independent Police Investigative Directorate or the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
“The referrals relate to SAPS officials such as Major General Lesetja Senona, Major General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.
“Prima facie evidence of wrongdoing was also found by the Commission with regard to the following current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, EMPD Officer, Bafana Twala, EMPD Officer, Aiden McKenzie, EMPD Officer, Kershia Leigh Stols and EMM former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi,” said Magwenya.
He said this includes, EMM fleet manager/proxy, Chris Steyn, EMM Head of Department of Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka, EMM Head of Legal, Adv Kemi Behari and Etienne van der Walt. Magwenya said the matters highlighted for referral concern allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful actions by officials and officers in the employ of the South African Police Service, City of Ekurhuleni and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
“Where IPID is already seized with certain matters, the Commission will make a referral to IPID on the status of their investigations and seek explanations for any delays. Ramaphosa has noted that some of the implicated individuals will return to the Commission to respond to allegations presented against them and that more witnesses are yet to deliver their evidence.
“While the Commission emphasises that, with the exception of EMPD Chief, Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, it has not yet heard the response of some of the relevant persons listed above, the allegations against them remain prima facie allegations only and are not findings of the Commission,” he said.
Magwenya said the nature of these allegations however warrants the referrals for further investigation and potential disciplinary, prosecutorial or regulatory action right away. He said Ramaphosa has directed the Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia and General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service to constitute a special investigations task team, with a leader who will report directly to Masemola.
“The task team will institute investigations against people identified by the Commission for investigation. Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency.
“Ramaphosa would like to express his deepest appreciation to the Commission chairperson, retired Justice Madlanga, Commissioners Baloyi and Khumalo and to all the Commission staff for their diligent work in the delivery of the interim report,” said Magwenya.
29 January 2026- North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie has extended her condolences to the family of Moserwane following a gruesome death of their daughter in Popo Molefe – Siza Section at Sunrise Park, in Rustenburg on Tuesday. Dantjie said according to the preliminary report from GBV social workers, the alleged perpetrator killed her long time wife and covered her with blankets.
She further said when his two children came back from school they discovered the lifeless body of their mother lying on the bed. Dantjie added that the distraught children informed their uncle about the ordeal.
“This is a tragic loss that highlights the ongoing violence perpetuated against women. Gender based violence is a serious concern. It is painful that women and children continue to lose their lives, often at the hands of people close to them.
“I call on men to refrain from solving problems by causing harm to women. Men must seek professional help and stop resorting to violence. Currently, we are providing funding to men-led organisations to enable them to reach out to men and create a space where men and boys can talk about what they are suffering from, without being judged for being insensitive,” she said.
Dantjie said men and boys should be active in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She said GBV social workers have been dispatched to offer trauma counselling to the affected family and provide them with any type of psychosocial support.
Meanwhile, Dantjie has called on law enforcement agencies to bring the alleged perpetrator to book at a brisker pace.
Setshwantsho: Monna o nyeletseng, Selaotswe Modisagaarekwe/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
29 Ferikgong 2026- Baagi ba kwa motseng wa Mokgareng, gaufi le Taung, ba boloditse letsholo-patlo. Se, se tla morago ga go nyelela ga monna mongwe wa teng kwa motseng o.
Go ya ka dipego, Selaotswe Modisagaarekwe (45), one a nyelela fa kgwedi ya Ferikgong e tlhola matsatsi a le 23, mono ngwaga.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Constable Thuto Bobelo are sepodisi se a itse ka go nyelela ga ga Modisagaarekwe. Bobelo are go begwa fa Modisagaarekwe a ne a le kwa legaeng la gagwe, fela moragonyana, ba lelapa la gagabo ba ile ba lemoga fa a seo.
“Go ne go sena matshwao ape a shupang gore Modisagarekwe o ka tswa a ile kae. Go begwa fa a sa itekanela sentle mo tlhaloganyong, mme one a apere borokgwe jo bo pududu, sekipa se se botala jo bo tseneletseng le bontsho, ga mmogo le diteki tsa modiro wa Puma fa a ne a nyelela.
“Go ile ga bolodiwa letsholo-patlo gone ka Labotlhano o. Gape letsholo-patlo le ile la bolodiwa ka Labobedi, fela maiteko ao a ile a itaya sefololetsa. Go na le thulaganyo e e dirilweng go ka tlisa sepodisi sa dipitsi ga mmogo le dintja go ka thusa mo letsholo-patlong leo,” Bobelo wa tlhalosa.
Go begwa fa bangwe ba baagi ba ile ba bona motho mongwe o kgale a batliwa fa ba ne ba boloditse letsholo-patlo. Fela Bobelo o ganeditse magatwe ao.
Bobelo are bone jaaka sepodisi, tshedimosetso e ga ya ba fitlhelela.
Kgabagare, baagi ba rulagantse kopano ya thapelo kwa lelapeng la ga Modisagaarekwe mo letsatsing la kamoso. Baagi ba re kopano eo, e tla tshwarwa ka ura ya borataro maitseboa, mme go memilwe baeteledipele ba ba farologaneng jaaka baruti ba di kereke ga mmogo le dingaka.
The Guardian 