Picture: A suspected stolen bakkie discovered on N1 road in Three Sisters/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
17 February 2026- A man (35) was arrested for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. This comes after the members of Richmond A shift swiftly responded to a tip-off of a possible stolen vehicle that was left abandoned on the N1 road in the direction of Three Sisters.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the suspect was arrested in Richmond on 16 February 2026, after he was linked to the theft of a vehicle at a car wash in Cape Town on 15 February 2026. Litabe said the police in Richmond, in conjunction with the Local Criminal Record Centre and the Vehicle Crime Investigating Units based in Richmond, were acting on intelligence-driven information when they found an abandoned vehicle near the N1 road about 15km from Three Sisters.
“One suspect was traced to a mechanic’s shop in Richmond and was subsequently arrested. He was charged for the possession of a suspected stolen vehicle and will be appearing in court in Richmond soon. The vehicle was confiscated and further investigations are underway,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pixley ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, welcomed the swift action and commended all the role-players that were involved in recovering the vehicle and apprehending the perpetrator.
17 February 2026- In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa, spoke about the work they are doing in schools to prepare young people to compete and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Ramaphosa said while they have made significant progress over the last three decades from expanding access to school to steadily improving matric results, there are still huge challenges in education.
He further said access to resources and quality teaching is uneven. Ramaphosa added that schools in townships and rural areas often struggle with overcrowding and educators have limited access to professional development and support.
“One of the efforts helping to fill this gap is the Basic Education Employment Initiative, which was founded in 2020 as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus. The initiative deploys young people to schools as education assistants.
“To date, the school assistants’ programme has created more than 1.3 million work opportunities. It is the largest youth employment programme in our country’s history, giving young people their first foothold in the world of work while strengthening the foundations of learning in the schools that need it most,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the young people involved in the programme go into schools well prepared. He said general school assistants need to at least have Grade 9, while education assistants need at least a matric certificate.
“In the most recent phase of the programme, 32% of education assistants had some sort of tertiary qualification and 14% had a teaching qualification. Education assistants are provided with both compulsory and optional training including on school safety, online safety, financial literacy, word processing, AI fluency and coding.
“The initiative provides work experience and livelihood support while at the same time advancing the public good. This is part of the goal of the Public Employment Stimulus to deliver public employment and livelihood programmes on a large scale while providing social value in the process,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the work of the education assistants allows teachers to spend more time on teaching and on lesson preparation, thereby contributing directly to improved educational outcomes. Ramaphosa said education assistants have been placed at 19 000 no-fee primary schools to support numeracy and as Reading Champions to support literacy and bilingual reading.
“The effect of this intervention is being seen in rapid improvements in foundational literacy skills in many schools. Beyond educational and curriculum support, education assistants are supporting digital learning, working in care and support with at-risk learners, and serving as laboratory and workshop assistants.
“This is not only good for the schools. For many of the school assistants, this experience is transformative. They are gaining skills and real work experience that will serve them well in finding employment and succeeding in their careers,” he said.
Ramaphosa said as they work to expand access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) through the Bana Pele mass registration of ECD facilities and an increase in subsidies for ECD learners, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has stepped up support to the sector through the Social Employment Fund. He said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, working with an implementing partner, is helping more than 1,000 previously disadvantaged, underfunded ECD centres to meet the qualifying criteria for ECD subsidy.
“The centres are also receiving nutritional support for learners, as well as toys, books and learning materials. The work supported by the Social Employment Fund now reaches over 50,000 children in ECD centres across the country.
“Meeting the constitutional imperative to provide quality education to our nation’s young is an all-of-society effort. These initiatives illustrate clearly the benefits of multisectoral cooperation between government, the private sector and civil society,” said Ramaphosa.
He said it is their aspiration that this successful programme should continue to grow as we strive to create more work opportunities for young South Africans and at the same time deliver quality education for all.
16 February 2026- A Brigadier General attached to the Intelligence Division of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Johannes Prince Mkabela (53), appeared briefly before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on a charge of corruption involving R1.5 million. It is alleged that on 13 February 2026, the accused met with an Investigating Officer who is investigating a case of intimidation against the accused.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said during the meeting, the accused allegedly paid the Investigating Officer R50 000 as a deposit and promised to pay the outstanding balance by September 2026, in exchange for the investigating officer to destroy the case docket against him. Mahanjana said following the exchange, members of the Madlanga Commission Task Team arrested the accused.
“The matter was postponed to 20 February 2026 for bail investigations,” she said.
Picture: Three murder accused appear in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
16 February 2026- Three accused persons, Dikeledi Tears Mphela (24), Goitsione Machidi (25) and McClaren Mushwana (30) appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where they abandoned their bail application. They face charges of premeditated murder of a Nigerian national, Isaac Satlat (23), who was an e-hailing driver.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said the accused are also facing a case of robbery with aggravating circumstances. Mahanjana said it is alleged that on 11 February 2026, the accused ordered e-hailing services using a mobile phone number that was not registered in their name.
“When the vehicle arrived, Mphela and an accomplice, who is still at large, got into the vehicle, while the other two accused followed in a separate car. Mphela and her accomplice allegedly forced the deceased to stop the vehicle, strangled him to death and robbed him of his cell phone and vehicle, which was later recovered.
“The incident was captured by a camera installed in the vehicle, and the footage was circulated on social media. Investigations by the South African Police Service led to the arrest of Mphela on 13 February 2026. The other two accused were arrested on 15 February 2026. The matter was postponed to 23 February 2026 for further investigations,” she said.
Mahanjana further said the NPA remains committed to working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
Picture: A councillor in Matlosana Local Municipality, Sello Molefi/Facebook
By STAFF REPORTER
16 February 2026 – A man (35) is expected to briefly appear at Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court for murder. This comes after he is accused of killing ANC councillor in Matlosana Local Municipality, Sello Molefi (46). On 13 February 2026, at approximately 5:35am, the police were alerted to an incident outside a tavern in Voortrekker Street in Klerksdorp Central Business District (CBD).
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said upon arrival at the scene, the police found the body of Molefi lying on the ground with a stab wound on the neck. Myburgh said emergency medical personnel were summoned and subsequently certified the victim dead at the scene.
“A multi-disciplinary investigation was immediately launched by members of the Potchefstroom Anti-Gang Investigation Unit, Klerksdorp Detectives, and the Provincial Organised Crime Unit. Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was allegedly stabbed during an argument reportedly linked to a dispute over a girlfriend,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, has noted the swift arrest of a suspect. Naidoo commended the coordinated efforts of the investigating teams for their prompt response and professionalism in ensuring that the suspect was brought before the law without delay.
16 February 2026 – Sasol Banyana Banyana’s road to the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins in earnest when they participate in this year’s 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship. A few days ago coach, Desiree Ellis announced a 38-member squad in preparation for an Alignment camp for the COSAFA Women’s Championship and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The team went into camp on 13 February 2026, in preparation for the two tournaments to be played this year. The WAFCON is scheduled to take place in Morocco from 17-3 April 2026, while the COSAFA Women’s Championship will be held in Polokwane, South Africa, from 18 February – 1 March 2026.
Ellis said she will use the regional tournament as part of her preparations for WAFCON and a squad made up of only local-based players will assemble for camp in Johannesburg on Friday before making their way to Limpopo on Sunday. She said the overseas-based contingent is expected to start arriving from 25 February in line with the FIFA calendar window.
“The squad will be trimmed down to the required number after the COSAFA Women’s Championship before they travel to North Africa. In the regional tournament, the South African senior women’s national team was drawn in Group A alongside Malawi, Lesotho and Angola.
“The 2022 African Champions will kick off the competition with a clash against the Scorchers of Malawi on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, at the Seshego Stadium. The action will move to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in the next two matches where the South Africans will host Angola on 21 February 2026, followed by the last group stages game against Lesotho on 24 February 2026,” she said.
Ellis further said kick-off for all three fixtures is at 3pm. She said the semi-final clashes have been scheduled in for 27 February 2026.
“There is a third-place play-off match on Sunday, 1 March at midday, which will precede the final scheduled for 15h00 on the same day at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. In the WAFCON, Banyana Banyana will face off against the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
“For the first time in the history of the competition, 16 nations will take part and the top four will qualify for the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Ellis.
Picture: Residents in Gauteng grappling with water/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
16 February 2026- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it cannot accept the communication from the Gauteng Provincial Government on Friday painting a picture of a water crisis under control. The DA said all indications are that, Gauteng has begun water-shifting, termed “load shifting” by Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Friday and borne out by resident feedback that it feels like areas are being “turned on and off”.
DA Spokesperson on Water & Sanitation and Member of Parliament (MP), Stephen Moore said if water-shifting is underway, the least that the Gauteng government can do is publish a schedule of this, so the residents can plan ahead for their taps to be cut dry. Moore said if supply will be shifted between areas to stabilise the system, residents must be treated with respect and provided with water-shifting schedules, not uncertainty.
“The DA does welcome the increased involvement of senior leaders in response to Gauteng’s worsening water crisis, including Mashatile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, as well as COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa and Deputy Minister Dickson Masemola – but their involvement now needs to translate into answers and timelines for residents.
“Gauteng residents have endured days, and in some cases weeks, without water are not looking for more coordination announcements. They need concrete actions, clear timelines, and public transparency that allows communities, businesses, clinics and schools to plan,” he said.
Moore further said the Gauteng Provincial Government’s statement on Friday night lists the right heading: leak repairs, pump stations, reservoirs, pressure management, technical support, ring-fencing of grants, and budget reprioritisation, but it provides almost no detail about what has changed, what is funded, and what delivery will occur by when. He added that in a crisis, that is not good enough.
“The DA therefore calls for the Gauteng Province, Rand Water and the affected municipalities to publish, the crisis plan with the minimum details residents deserve. A daily, time-stamped system bulletin from Rand Water and each metro, including supply versus demand, key constraints, reservoir recovery position, and areas at risk.
“Water-shifting schedules or plans by zone, including how hospitals, clinics, schools and old-age facilities will be protected. Funding specifics, including which infrastructure grants are being ring-fenced, the exact Rand amounts being reprioritised, and which projects will be funded immediately.Operational outputs with deadlines, including added leak teams, PRVs and pressure zones commissioned, priority pipe-replacement hotspots, and measurable targets for 7, 30 and 90 days,” said Moore.
He said tanker deployment rules and tracking, including where, how many, rotation times, and a public escalation channel. Moore said they support any credible intervention that stabilises supply.
“But residents deserve more than plans in motion. Residents deserve published schedules, published budgets, and measurable delivery now,” he said.
Picture: SAFA Technical Director Molefi Ntseki/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
16 February 2026 – The South African Football Association’s (SAFA) Technical Department will host a National Teams Identity Workshop that will be attended by all the men’s and women’s national team coaches next week. The workshop will be held at SAFA House in Nasrec in the South of Johannesburg from 18-20 February 2026, and SAFA Technical Director Molefi Ntseki will lead the programme.
Ntseki said all the national team coaches will make presentations during the workshop, including the Under-15, the Under-17, Under-20 and the senior South African national team mentors. He said Desiree Ellis is the only coach who will not attend in person as Sasol Banyana Banyana will be participating in the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, Limpopo from next week.
“The team went into camp on 13 February 2026, and the tournament will be held in Polokwane from 18 February – 1 March 2026. The various coaches will make presentations during the three days of the workshop and even though Dr Desiree Ellis will not be present, she will join us online.
“FIFA representatives and other invited guests will be in attendance, and we are looking forward to an incredible engagement,” he said.
Picture: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Mpho Khunou/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
16 February 2026- The North West Legislature Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism has resolved to convene a meeting with the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and other relevant stakeholders to solicit detailed findings on the status of the Christiana All Seasons Resort. This resolution follows an oversight visit conducted by the committee at the Christiana All Seasons Resort to assess progress since the facility was acquired by the NWDC in 2015.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Mpho Khunou said during the visit, the committee raised serious concerns regarding the uncertainty surrounding the full extent of the land purchased by the NWDC, including discrepancies linked to the original auction process. Khunou said the committee further noted with concern that the department did not conduct an audit of the resort’s assets nor adequately account for the company’s obligations relating to maintenance and upgrading of the facility, as stipulated in the initial lease agreement.
“The department had previously entered into a lease agreement with a company trading as 360 Degrees, which concluded in November 2023 and was subsequently converted into a month-to-month contract. The committee observed that no asset audits were conducted during either the initial lease period or the month-to-month arrangement.
“In response, the committee advised the department to urgently conduct a comprehensive audit of all assets associated with the resort. The committee also engaged with local SMMEs, who raised concerns regarding the poor state of maintenance and upgrading of the facility, particularly the damaged fencing between the resort and an adjacent game farm,” he said.
Khunou further said the compromised fencing has reportedly resulted in wildlife straying onto the N12 national road, posing a serious risk to motorists. He added that the committee further interacted with representatives from 360 Degrees, who provided a guided tour of the facility and presented a detailed report on renovations undertaken.
“However, the company also raised concerns regarding the lack of clarity on the full extent of the property acquired during the auction from the original owner—an issue similarly highlighted in the SIU’s preliminary findings. Following deliberations, the committee also considered medium- to long-term plans for the future of the resort, including the possible transfer of the facility to the North West Parks and Tourism Board for management and operation.
“We believe that a final decision on the long-term future of these assets cannot be delayed any further. The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) must act decisively and resolve this matter expeditiously,” said Khunou.
15 February 2026 – The accused, Elrico Bradley Leroy Hartebees (30) of Niekerkshoop in the Northern Cape will spend 15 years behind bars after he was recently found guilty of rape by the Griekwastad Regional Court. On 24 November 2023, the victim was on her way to visit her boyfriend when she was suddenly attacked from behind by an unknown man.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the victim screamed for help as the accused allegedly pushed her to the ground. Litabe said she subsequently lost consciousness and was raped.
“Two passersby heard the victim’s cries for help and rushed to the scene, where they intervened and came to her rescue. Upon their arrival, they identified the accused and immediately notified the police.
“A case of rape was registered at the Niekerkshoop Police Station for further investigation. The matter was allocated to Detective Constable Dineo Mogaladi of the Prieska Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit,” he said.
Litabe further said following the victim’s medical examination, Hartebees was arrested. He added that the accused appeared in court on several occasions, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
“After thorough investigations conducted by Detective Constable Mogaladi and compelling testimony presented by the complainant and the two witnesses, the court found him guilty as charged.
“The court subsequently sentenced the accused to 15 years’ imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” said Litabe.
The Pixley ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended Detective Constable Mogaladi and the Prosecutor, for their dedication and professionalism, which led to the successful prosecution of the case.
The Guardian 