Picture: The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman, accompanied by Pastor Marsha Baard from Employee Health and Wellness, appeared on Radio NFM with Robin-Lee Milford/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 February 2026- The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman, accompanied by Pastor Marsha Baard from Employee Health and Wellness, appeared on Radio NFM with Robin-Lee Milford on the weekly “Meet and Greet” programme. Magerman said the purpose of the engagement was to extend sincere appreciation to the Namakwa community for their meaningful participation in the recent prayer sessions held along the N7 national route.
“The prayer initiative focused on promoting road safety and honouring the memory of those who tragically lost their lives on the roads. The support received from the community during this initiative, led by SAPS in collaboration with Radio NFM, was overwhelming and deeply appreciated.
“During the programme, we also addressed the issue of bullying in schools, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the moral well-being of learners. A heartfelt appeal was made to learners to uphold positive values and respectful conduct within the school environment,” he said.
Magerman further said it was further announced that SAPS will visit another school in Carolusberg to engage directly with learners on bullying and related behavioural concerns. He added that they conveyed the SAPS’ concern regarding the increasing incidents of malicious damage to property, identified as a trending crime in the district and often linked to domestic violence-related matters.
“SAPS in the Namakwa District remain committed to working collaboratively with communities, schools and stakeholders to address crime and promote safety across the district,” said Magerman.
Picture: NTI employees marched to the North West Provincial Legislature over unpaid salaries/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
17 February 2026- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng met with NTI employees this morning and committed to ensure that they will be paid this week. The North West Provincial Legislature precinct was this morning blockaded with buses by the Northwest Transport Investment (NTI) employees due to unpaid salaries by the entity.
Morweng met the employees accompanied by acting Head of Department (HOD), Molefi Morule, acting NTI CEO, Dr Ntlhopeng Dikobe and Chief Director for Transport Operation, Patrick Mohono. He said the meeting was also attended virtually by General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Solly Phetoe, General Secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and NTI recognised worker union, Jack Mazibuko.
“We have committed that a one-month salary will be processed by the department on or before Friday 20 February 2026. Further engagements to find a permanent solution to the NTI salary debacle will be embarked upon by all stakeholders,” he said.
Picture: Liquor traders marched to the North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane’s office in Mahikeng/Supplied
By STAFF REPORTER
17 February 2026- The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane has today formally received a memorandum from liquor traders who marched to the department’s offices in Mahikeng to raise concerns on the on the North West Liquor Licensing Act 06 of 2016, which came into effect in April 2025. Lenkopane said the key issue raised is an increase in the annual renewal fees to R2000.
She further said the memorandum submitted by representatives of liquor traders operating in Mahikeng and the surrounding areas, outlines several key concerns, including an increase in licence renewal fees, a request to extend the renewal deadline, financialsupport measures for traders, and clarity on the transitional arrangements provided for in the new legislation. She added that the traders have given the her 48 hours to provide a formal response.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised and confirmed government’s commitment to constructive engagement and due process. We appreciate the orderly manner in which the liquor traders have exercised their constitutional right to engage with the government.
“I will be consulting with the Liquor Board and the management of the department to ensure that we make an informed, fair and responsible decision in responding to the issues raised in the memorandum within the stipulated timeframe,” said Lenkopane.
Lenkopane emphasised that the consultative process is critical to ensure that any response considers legislative requirements, the sustainability of the liquor industry, and the broader public interest. She further reaffirmed that the implementation of the North West Liquor Licensing Act is aimed at strengthening regulation, promoting responsible trading, and ensuring the sustainability and transformation of the liquor industry to contribute the economy of the province.
“The department will ensure that liquor traders are in compliant with business legislative prescripts to able to access government support programmes for creation of jobs to the people of the North West.
“The department has urged all stakeholders to allow the engagement process to unfold and has reiterated its commitment to transparency, fairness, and cooperative governance,” she added.
Picture: A Toyota Fortuner and a CIT vehicle set alight/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
17 February 2026- The police have launched an investigation following a Cash-In-Transit robbery that occurred at approximately 4:40pm on 16 February 2026, in Old Geelhout Park, Rustenburg. It is alleged that security personnel were travelling in a cash-in-transit vehicle along Kremetart Street when a Toyota Fortuner travelling in the opposite direction collided with the driver’s side door of the cash-in-transit vehicle.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the vehicle was forced to stop and was subsequently blocked by a Toyota Hilux (Legend) double cab bakkie. Myburgh said approximately 15 armed suspects allegedly overpowered the security officers and instructed them to unlock the doors.
“The guards were removed from the vehicle, dragged a short distance away from the cash vehicle and made to lie face down on the ground. One armed guard was disarmed while the suspects gained access to the vehicle and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.
“The suspects allegedly set alight both the cash-in-transit vehicle and the Toyota Fortuner used in the collision. Several shots were fired during the incident. The suspect fled the scene and no injuries were reported,” she said.
Myburgh further said the investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, urged members of the public to report serious crimes immediately and cautioned that suspects involve in such crimes are dangerous and should not be confronted. Naidoo said anyone with information that could assist the investigation is requested to contact their nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously via the MySaps App on their smartphone.
17 February 2026- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said they are hard at work to turn the tide against a litany of socio-economic challenges afflicting their developmental path. Mokgosi said the upward trajectory in audit outcomes speaks to the systems they have put in place to ensure that they put emphasis on ethical leadership.
Mokgosi, who was delivering his speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate in Cape Town on Tuesday, said eight out of ten departments in the province received clean and unqualified outcomes in the last audit cycle. He said this stability has trickled down to the Departments such as Health as it continues to lead the pack in drug-resistant TB management in the country with a success rate of between 84% and 86%.
“These efforts have also been bolstered by an allocation of additional R200 million rand for the employment of nurses, doctors as well as procurement of new ambulances.
Furthermore, the NSC results of 2025, which currently sits at 88.94%, the fourth highest in the country after affluent provinces, is consistent with our efforts of infrastructure development in our distressed communities.
“There are equally improvements in the overall outcome of these results in rural and farm schools. As a consequence, we managed to reduce the learner performance gap between disadvantaged schools with resourced ones, and as a matter of fact 54% of Bachelor passes in our province were recorded in no-fee schools,” he said.
Mokgosi further said they are fixing the local government and working hand in glove with the national government. He added that they have brought stability in Ditsobotla Local Municipality following the introduction of the National Cabinet Representative.
“We are monitoring developments in Matlosana Local Municipality with a view of strengthening existing intervention measures to improve the situation. On a positive note the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality will this Friday sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with Infrastructure South Africa under the auspices of Adopt A Municipality Initiative.
“This will see the municipality benefiting from various infrastructure projects that are aimed at expediting provision of services for residents. This municipality has ticked all the right boxes in the form of improved audit outcomes as well as honouring payments with third parties,” said Mokgosi.
He said they have recently held the Local Government Kgotha-Kgothe under the theme: “Every Municipality Must Work”. Mokgosi said this is part of the ongoing commitment by the provincial government to ensure that all municipalities are functional, responsive, and accountable to the people they serve.
“There are encouraging signs of recovery after the province recorded 42 000 new jobs in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Our efforts of creating an additional 12 000 jobs are gaining traction as we seek to implement the Bojanala Special Economic Zone, which will be anchored on investment commitments amounting to R12 billion.
“We envision the SEZ to be licensed in the next financial year.
In giving impetus to these bold pronouncements we will also be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure this Friday, to resuscitate the Pilanesberg Airport,” he said.
Mokgosi said once fully operational the airport will serve as a strategic access point to Sun City, Pilanesberg National Park, as well as the Special Economic Zone, thus creating various economic opportunities for locals. He said this economic drive is further amplified by the implementation of four critical road projects at Madibeng, Moses Kotane and Taung Local Municipalities and they will serve as strategic corridor routes between the provinces of Gauteng and Northern Cape.
“A total budget of R980 million has been set aside for this initiative. The Department of Public Works and Roads has been allocated an additional R256 million, which includes R150 million in the form of a disaster relief fund to address repairs of roads and bridges that were damaged by floods last year.
“Moreover, the construction of 2900 housing units across the four districts of our province is well underway. We have resolved to allocate 80% of the budget to complete all blocked housing projects,” said Mokgosi.
He said to date 70% of these projects have been completed. Mokgosi said just last year, they handed over 300 housing units to residents of Tshing Extension 19, near Ventersdorp.
“Through Operation Bulela Metsi, several water infrastructure projects in Dinokana, Tlhabane, Ipelegeng, Ikageng, Lonely Park, Jourbeton, Ellaton, Loraine, Kanana and Khuma are at different stages of completion to ensure consistent supply of water in these areas.
“Plans are already in motion for the commercialisation of rural and communal farms, at Springbokpan in Ditsobotla Local Municipality. Over 100 farmers across 23 villages will benefit from these R40 million initiatives in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality,” he said.
Mokgosi said the provincial disaster management centre has been activated to assist farmers and help arrest the spread of foot and mouth disease. He said they have also put measures in place for farmers to adhere to the dictates of the protocols for the movement of cattle as a means to avert and curb new infections.
“We have never claimed to be perfect, but we will be true to the course of reversing all the injustices meted on our people by over 300 years of Colonial-Apartheid Rule,” said Mokgosi.
Picture: A school bus veered off the road after hitting a hump/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
17 February 2026- Seventy one learners have been involved in a school bus accident on Tuesday. The learners from Gamaloka village, near Coligny were being transported to school when the accident occurred on a gravel road between Sleepsteen and Gerdau Farms.
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessles Morweng said according to the preliminary paramedic report, 37 learners sustained injuries with the condition of one learner described as “of serious concern”. Morweng said they are being treated at the General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg.
“Thirty four other learners are undergoing further medical assessment and observation at the Coligny Clinic. According to the driver, the bus hit a hump on a gravel road leading to the steering wheel disengaging and becoming non-functional. Unable to control the bus, it veered off the road and overturned.
“We wish all learners speedy recovery. The department has begun full investigation into the accident and appropriate remedial and corrective measures will be taken thereafter. An operator as per the Service Level Agreement (SLA) will provide learners with an alternative transport. The department has however a panel of operators who if needed will be assigned the reasonability of transporting learners,” he said.
Picture: The police conduct search and patrol duirng Operation Shanela/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
17 February 2026- The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Namakwa District has expressed concern over incidents of malicious damage to property, particularly those linked to domestic violence. The police said it has been observed that many of these incidents originate from domestic disputes at private residences, where disagreements between individuals escalate and result in the destruction of property.
The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said malicious damage to property is a serious criminal offence in terms of South African law. Magerman said perpetrators will be arrested, prosecuted and held accountable, regardless of the domestic circumstances under which the offence was committed.
Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, calls on communities within the district to act responsibly and assist in curbing such incidents. Andrews said any person who wilfully damages or destroys the property of another commits a criminal offence and may be arrested.
“Domestic disputes do not justify criminal conduct, and SAPS will respond decisively to all reported incidents. Victims of domestic violence and related property destruction are encouraged to report incidents immediately at their nearest police station, by contacting the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or by using the MySAPS App.
“The SAPS in the Namakwa District remains committed to ensuring the safety and stability of all communities. District Management further urges communities to work in partnership with law enforcement and community structures to address and prevent incidents of domestic violence,” he said.
Picture: North West University (NWU) Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Linda du Plessis/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 February 2026 – North West University (NWU) Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Linda du Plessis said the term ‘multilingualism’ can often be used as window-dressing to obscure a lack of commitment to their national inclusivity. Du Plessis said, however, proclaiming a commitment to multilingualism is very different from being an active participant in the promotion of multilingualism.
According to du Plessis, it is imperative that South Africa’s higher education institutions realise that multilingualism is more than policy compliance. She said it is a critical life skill in an interconnected, multicultural and digitally driven world.
“To study in a multilingual environment equips students and staff with adaptability, cultural intelligence, empathy, and cognitive flexibility. It nurtures the ability to engage across differences, which is a competency increasingly demanded in workplaces, research collaborations, and civic life.
“In this sense, multilingualism prepares graduates not only for employment, but for leadership in diverse societies. In this regard, the NWU has distinguished itself as an institution where multilingualism is not only embraced but incorporated into its many facets,” said du Plessis.
She further said at the NWU, multilingualism is not an abstract ideal. Du Plessis added that it is a lived institutional commitment.
“Our functional multilingual policy ensures that, where possible and not restricted by resources or regulatory factors, classes are offered in more than one language, specifically Afrikaans and English, while materials and communication are provided in the other official NWU languages, namely Setswana and Sesotho, wherever possible.
“In doing so, we move beyond symbolic recognition of languages and actively embed multilingualism in teaching, learning, communication, and community engagement, while taking into account the diversity and multiplicity of our students and staff,” she said.
Du Plessis said they also ensure that they demonstrate their multilingual commitment across their communication platforms, including websites, and by supporting their deaf staff and students through the provision of South African Sign Language (SASL). She said the Language Directorate was founded to ensure that multilingualism is prioritised both institutionally and operationally.
“The Directorate provides a coordinated and structured approach to language planning, implementation, and monitoring across faculties and divisions. By embedding multilingualism into governance structures, academic processes, and student support systems, the Language Directorate reinforces the understanding that language is central to academic excellence, equity, and institutional transformation.
“We note how the rise of multilingualism is embraced both by national and multinational organisations. The United Nations’ Multilingualism Matters campaign and the planned launch of the UNESCO Global Roadmap on Multilingualism in the Digital Era in December 2025 signal a renewed international commitment to language equity,” she said.
Du Plessis said since the adoption of the UN General Assembly’s Multilingualism Resolution in June 2022, momentum has continued to build worldwide. She said this global movement affirms what South Africa’s Constitution (Section 6(4)), the Official Languages Use Act (2012), and the 2020 Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions have long recognised: language equity and respect for all official languages are essential to dignity, inclusion, and meaningful participation.
“At the NWU, we take this responsibility seriously. We have expanded our official languages to four — English, Afrikaans, Setswana, and Sesotho — and continue to invest in multilingual teaching, terminology development, interpreting and translation services, and accessible language learning opportunities for staff and students.
“Progress since the approval of faculty and support unit language plans in 2019 has been encouraging, particularly in advancing Setswana and Sesotho as languages of learning and teaching. However, the development of African languages for scholarship and innovation remains an ongoing priority requiring sustained investment and collaboration,” said du Plessis.
Picture: Residents during engagement with the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
17 February 2026- The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua has met with the community of Dithakong village, outside Mahikeng to provide an update on the status of the upgrade of Z473 road from D3545 to D41 roads. Mokua said the engagement follows the withdrawal of the initially appointed contractor, who officially communicated his withdrawal in December 2025.
She further said the unfortunate development led to delays in the commencement of construction works. Mokua added that the project is aimed at upgrading the existing gravel road to a surfaced road using paving blocks.
“The scope of work includes the construction of a new pavement structure comprising surfacing, base and sub-base layers, and paved walkways. The department has since initiated a new procurement process. Project specifications were approved in January 2026, and the project was re-advertised in February 2026.
“We assure the community through the tribal leadership of Kgosi Tawana that the re-advertisement process is being handled with urgency to ensure that the project resumes as soon as possible,” she said.
Mokua said the people of Dithakong have waited patiently for this development. She said, as a department, they have accelerated the process of the appointment of a new contractor.
“We remain committed to delivering quality infrastructure that improves mobility, enhances safety, and stimulates local economic growth. We will not abandon this project. The department aimed to conclude the appointment of a replacement contractor anticipated by March 2026.
“Beyond improving road infrastructure, the project carries significant socio-economic benefits. A minimum of 30% of the contract value will be subcontracted to targeted local enterprises. The project will maximise labour-intensive construction methods to create employment opportunities for local residents,” said Mokua.
She said in the meantime, her department will use internal teams to ensure the road is trafficable.
17 February 2026- Detectives from Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Unit together with Springbok Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences and SAPS from Springbok and Nababeep are still tirelessly investigating the disappearance of David Waterboer (14) on 7 February 2025, in Nababeep. The police said Waterboer was last seen at approximately 10:50am by his mother before she left for work.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said he reportedly intended to attend a sporting event in Concordia. Ehlers said Waterboer was last seen wearing black short pants, a black t-shirt and navy blue sandals.
“A reward of R75 000 is offered by SAPS to any individual who can assist with the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators and locating Waterboer. All information will be handled confidentially and can be relayed to Colonel Browers at 082 447 1829, Sergeant Mpasa at 083 690 4790 or the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively via the MySAPS App,” she said.
The Guardian 