Daily Archives: March 8, 2026

Betway Premiership fan wins R50 000

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Hlompho Kekana and Betway S’bonise and Win Winner during the Betway Premiership 2025/26 match between Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 4 March 2026 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

By REGINALD KANYANE

8 March 2026- The excitement of the Betway Premiership S’bonise & Win campaign continued in Polokwane as supporter Maria Mokgahlane walked away with R50 000 during the Dial Up fixture between Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening. Mokgahlane became the eighth Dial Up winner of the season, with the prize doubled courtesy of her active Betway account.

The Betway Premiership S’bonise & Win campaign rewards supporters who show up to matches proudly dressed in their club colours, turning their passion for the game into a chance to win. Dial Up fixtures take the experience even further, giving fans the opportunity to win bigger prizes and enjoy special matchday moments.

Following the announcement, Mokgahlane expressed her gratitude, sharing that part of her winnings will go towards finishing the construction of her crèche, a project that had come to a standstill due to financial constraints. She further said the prize will help ensure the project can finally be completed, something she described as a meaningful step for both her and the children in her community.

Betway Squad member, Hlompho Kekana was also in attendance to hand over the cheque, adding to the excitement and celebration on the night. Kekana said moments like this are what make campaigns like S’bonise & Win so special.

“Seeing supporters rewarded in this way and hearing how the winnings will make a real difference in their lives is incredibly meaningful. It shows how powerful football can be in bringing positive change to communities,” he added.

With eight Dial Up winners now confirmed, attention now turns to Rustenburg, where the next Betway Premiership S’bonise & Win Dial Up fixture will take place as Orbit College FC take on Mamelodi Sundowns on Monday evening, continuing the campaign’s mission to bring even more excitement to the matchday experience. Fans are encouraged to join the conversation using #BetwayPrem and #BetwaySboniseAndWin.

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COSATMA rocked by corruption and bribery allegations

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Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By OBAKENG MAJE

8 March 2026- Rampant corruption and bribery allegations have been levelled against the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management amid systemic failure of scholar transport tender. There are allegations that some service providers are bribing traffic officers not to impound their unroadworthy buses.      

The Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) of Umkhonto weSizwe Party at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Lerato Tsholo said they condemn the alleged ongoing rampant corruption and bribery within the scholar transport sector. Tsholo said the scholar transport service providers who pay bribes to avoid impoundment of their non-compliant buses are undermining the safety of their passengers and perpetuating a culture of corruption.

“By paying off officials, and Members of Provincial Legislature (MPLs), who are doing oversight on them, these service providers are essentially buying their way out of accountability, putting the lives of innocent children and other road users at risk.

“This behaviour is not only unethical, but also illegal. So, it is high time we call it out for what it is – a blatant disregard for the law and human life. Furthermore, this practice creates an unfair advantage for those who are willing to bribe, making it difficult for compliant transport service providers to compete,” she said.

Tsholo further said it is a vicious cycle or chain that needs to be broken. She added that, instead of paying bribes, scholar transport service providers should prioritize maintaining their buses to ensure they meet safety standards.

“Let’s condemn this behaviour and advocate for a safer, more transparent transportation system. On the other hand, while condemning the behaviour of scholar transport service providers as far as bribery and corrupt elements are concerned, an appeal is thereby made to the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management to make sure that they pay them timeously so that they are able to maintain and service their buses to meet the compliance requirements,” said Tsholo.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said: “There are allegations of corrupt officials from my department and some MPLs. Corruption must immediately be reported to the relevant authorities.

“I also indicated that in the process of corruption, there is always a corruptor and a corruptee. Now, my hands are itching and if you can give me the names of those corrupt officials, I will put them on suspension pending investigation.”

Morweng said the issue of scholar transport is very painful. He said these corrupt officials go and collect bribes from service providers, which their buses are unroadworthy and risk the lives of the learners in the process.

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Dagga worth R478 000 confiscated  

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Picture: Dagga worth R478 000 confiscated/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 March 2026- Alleged drug dealer (25) was arrested after the police discovered dagga worth R478 000 in his vehicle in Upington. The police were conducting routine patrols along Schroder Street in Upington when they noticed a vehicle and the driver acting suspicious after seeing the police vehicle.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the suspect allegedly attempted to change lanes abruptly, prompting officers to pull the vehicle over. Litabe said when requested to produce his driver’s licence, the suspect failed to do so.

“While speaking to the driver, vigilant members detected a strong smell of dagga emanating from the vehicle. They subsequently conducted a search and discovered multiple bags of dagga loaded inside the vehicle.

“The suspect was immediately arrested and charged with dealing in dagga. He is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ZF Mgcawu District Police Commissioner, Major General Monica Sebili, commended the police for their vigilance and for disrupting the supply of drugs to local communities. Sebili also issued a stern warning to potential drug dealers, that the police in the ZFM District have adopted a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to drug trafficking and will squeeze their space to operate.

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