Daily Archives: January 27, 2026

North West Police Commissioner condemns Wesley Kgang’s alleged actions

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Picture: Wesley Kgang

By BAKANG MOKOTO

27 January 2026 – The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo condemned the alleged attack on a traffic officer in the strongest possible terms. This comes after the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) at Matlosana Local Municipality and former ANCYL spokesperson, Wesley Kgang (36), who is out on R1000 bail, was nabbed for the alleged drunk and driving, resisting arrest, assault of a traffic official and malicious damage to property.

Kgang’s court appearance stems from an incident reported on 24 January 2026, at around 6:30am. It is alleged that traffic officials were busy with routine patrols, when they spotted a black sedan vehicle in Leask Street in Klerksdorp, driving in the wrong direction (facing oncoming traffic).

According to the police, the female traffic official stopped and approached the driver, who appeared to be under the influence of liquor. The police said furthermore, upon interviewing the driver and informing him of his arrest, he became aggressive and attacked the female official.

“Her colleagues intervened and the suspect’s resistance escalated until the police were called, who restrained him. During the confrontation, the female official sustained an injury on her left hand.

“Lastly, while on the way to a health facility to draw blood samples, Kgang allegedly hit and broke the window of the traffic vehicle, but a blood sample was ultimately taken from him,” he said.

Naidoo said Kgang made a brief appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 26 January 2026, and his matter was remanded until 18 February 2026, for further investigation. He urged all those who are entrusted with enforcing the law to be vigilant in the execution of their duties to avoid being injured when dealing with violent and aggressive suspects.

Meanwhile, Kgang who vehemently denied that he was behind the wheel, has since apologised for his actions.  

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SAPS members honour senior citizens

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Picture: SAPS members visit Huis Harmony Old-Age Home/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

27 January 2026- The police in Namakwa District together with Employee Health Wellness (EHW) and members from Auxiliary Services visited Huis Harmony, an old age home with 42 elderly residents. The visit was as a gesture of appreciation and respect for the wisdom and perseverance of the senior citizens.

The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said the event commenced with a prayer session led by Pastor Marsha Baard, setting a dignified tone for the day. Magerman said the SAPS members then shared moments of joy with the residents, serving refreshments and engaging in light entertainment.

“Radio NFM joined the occasion, capturing the stories of the elderly and broadcasting them to the wider community, ensuring their voices and experiences are heard and celebrated. A special message was delivered by the District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews who stated that, it is a great honour for us to be with you today at Home Harmony.

“Their wisdom, their life experiences and their perseverance are treasures beyond measure. As SAPS, we wish to express our appreciation and respect. With this small gesture of gratitude, the offering of necessities and a bit of entertainment, we want to remind you that you never stand alone,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andrews said their beloved elders are the foundation of the community and they carry them in their hearts. He said may this day bring them joy and may their togetherness strengthen them all.

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SASSA beneficiaries can complete biometric verifications at local offices

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27 January 2026- The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Mpumalanga is encouraging all R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries who do not have data or a smartphone or laptop to visit their nearest SASSA local offices for assistance. 

In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said that all its offices are equipped to support beneficiaries with biometric identity verification with kiosks, official laptops and guest Wi-Fi.

“The agency is doing this to ensure that all qualifying beneficiaries receive their grant at the right time, to avoid unnecessary delays and eliminate frustrations,” Acting Regional Executive Manager, Xolela Mpambani, said. 

Mpambani further explained that SRD grant applications may be declined where the system detects a source of income through external databases, including financial institutions. 

Beneficiaries whose applications are declined have the right to appeal the decision if they are not satisfied with the reasons provided on the system.

SASSA has also warned beneficiaries to safeguard their personal information, cautioning that scammers often target vulnerable grant recipients. Beneficiaries are advised not to share sensitive details and to always verify the identity of anyone requesting their information. – SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng Department of Education refutes budget cut claims

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Picture: The Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane

By REGINALD KANYANE

27 January 2026- The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said it unequivocally rejects and refutes claims that it has cut funding to Quintile 5 schools by 64%. The department said these claims are false, misleading, and reckless and represent a deliberate distortion of information.

 The Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane said at no point has the department implemented a 64% reduction in school funding. Chiloane said accordingly, an interim funding realignment process was implemented, which was necessitated by severe budget reductions imposed by National Treasury, which have affected all provinces across the country.

“Previously, the GDE explicitly outlined the rationale, scope, and timing of the adjusted funding levels for Quintile 5 schools, effective from 1 April 2026, in line with the National Norms and Standards for School Funding gazetted by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

“Schools were formally notified through indicative budget allocation certificates issued in September 2025, providing ample notice and transparency. The department further clarified that this process does not constitute a budget cut, but rather realignment to nationally prescribed adequacy rates, particularly correcting the historical funding of certain Quintile 5 fee-paying schools,” he said.

Chiloane further said the current funding arrangement is a temporary stabilisation intervention designed to keep the system functional and compliant while the department manages a R444 million shortfall in the current financial year and a projected R160 million shortfall over the 2026 MTEF period. He added that despite these constraints, the GDE has prioritised the protection of classrooms, ensured that teaching and learning continue uninterrupted and honoured its commitments to Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) payments in full and on time.

“It must be stated clearly and without ambiguity, Gauteng’s financial pressures are the direct result of national budget cuts. The Department of Basic Education (DBE), under the leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA), is fully aware of the funding pressures facing provinces, including Gauteng.

“The DBE has been repeatedly engaged on these matters, yet meaningful relief has not materialised, leaving provinces to absorb the impact. Attempts to deflect responsibility onto provinces, while ignoring the role of national departments in both policy-setting and budget allocations, are misleading and irresponsible,” said Chiloane.

He said the sudden outrage being manufactured by the DA is therefore disingenuous and politically opportunistic. Chiloane said it is dishonest to accuse provinces of cutting school funding, while remaining silent about the national budget cuts imposed by the National Treasury.

“The Department of Basic Education, under the Democratic Alliance, is fully aware of the financial challenges confronting Gauteng and other provinces, yet these challenges remain unresolved. If there is a petition to be delivered, it should be delivered to the Department of Basic Education, which is responsible for national funding norms and allocations, and which the DA itself leads.

“Provinces cannot be scapegoated for implementing national policy under constrained budgets that we do not control. The GDE remains committed to transparent communication, equitable funding and the protection of public education in Gauteng,” he said.

Chiloane said the GDE will not allow misinformation to undermine confidence in the public schooling system or be distracted from the real issue, the urgent need for sustainable national funding solutions.

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Hydroponic dagga worth R336 000 seized

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Picture: Dagga found concealed in a courier vehicle/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

27 January 2026 – A multi-disciplinary team comprising of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, SANParks, Delivered Duty Unpaid and Customs, embarked on Operation Phakisa activities in the region of Namakwa from 22 until 26 January 2026.

The police said these targeted operations were executed with the aim of addressing criminal activities that are highly prevalent within the marine environment of the Northern Cape.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the SAPS Specialised Units, including K9, Crime Intelligence, Radio Technical, Search and Rescue, Highway Patrol, Vehicle Crime Investigative Unit and Border Policing, in partnership with their counterparts from other departments, worked together in a concerted effort to conduct disruptive actions within the District of Namakwa during the operations.

Litabe said actions that were executed, included search operations, visits to launching pads, camping sites, mining areas, aquaculture farms, patrols and compliance inspections in Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay, Kleinzee, Groenriviermond, Sandkop/Rooikoppies and Hondeklipbaai.

“Two suspects were arrested for the contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 while nine fines to the value of R7200, were issued for the contravention of the National Traffic Act. Three fines amounting to R3 100 were issued for contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998.

“The operations also resulted in the seizure of Hydroponic dagga with an estimated street value of R336 000 that was found concealed in packages transported by a courier company. Other marine life seized, included undersized fish species to the value of R2000,” he said.

Litabe further said Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) also resulted in numerous vehicles and persons being stopped and searched. He added that sea patrols were also conducted along the shorelines of Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay by the SAPS Water wing.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaborative efforts by the different departments in an attempt to clamp down on marine related crimes and to stamp down the authority of the state along the shoreline and coastal areas of the province.

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