Daily Archives: March 18, 2026

Hlalele appointed as SPU’s Dean of the Faculty of Education

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Picture: Professor Dipane Hlalele/Supplied 

By MOSIMA MEHLAPE

18 March 2026- Sol Plaatje University (SPU) announced the appointment of Professor Dipane Hlalele as Dean of the Faculty of Education for a five-year term, starting 1 April 2026. This appointment follows a rigorous selection process, guided by university policy and aligned with SPU’s strategic priorities in academic leadership, research development and community engagement.

Hlalele brings extensive experience in higher education leadership, with a demonstrated track record in academic governance, curriculum development, postgraduate supervision and institutional management. He currently serves as Full Professor and Head of the Department of Education Studies at SPU.

A National Research Foundation (NRF) C2-rated researcher, Hlalele holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology of Education and has contributed significantly to the advancement of inclusive education, rural learning ecologies and socially responsive scholarship. His work reflects a sustained commitment to research that is both contextually relevant and nationally impactful.

Hlalele academic leadership experience spans senior roles including Assistant Dean, Programme Coordinator and Head of Department, where he has led strategic planning processes, strengthened teaching and learning programmes, supported staff development, and contributed to quality assurance and institutional governance.

Hlalele has supervised more than 60 postgraduate students to completion, including 38 doctoral candidates, and has contributed to building research capacity through funded projects and national and international collaborations. In his role as Dean, he will provide strategic, academic and administrative leadership to the Faculty of Education, with responsibility for advancing teaching and learning, strengthening research output, supporting postgraduate growth and enhancing community-engaged scholarship.

Hlalele’s leadership will contribute to the long-term sustainability and development of the faculty, in alignment with the University’s strategic objectives. This appointment strengthens SPU’s ongoing commitment to advancing a university that is academically rigorous, research-intensive and socially responsive.

It supports the University’s focus on developing contextually relevant knowledge, advancing postgraduate education, and deepening its contribution to the transformation of the higher education sector. Hlalele takes office at a time when the Faculty of Education continues to strengthen both its academic leadership and research trajectory.

Source: Sol Plaatje University

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A man sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for attempted murder

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By REGINALD KANYANE

18 March 2026 – A man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Regional Court sitting in Tlhabane for attempted murder. The conviction of the accused, Silvester Oageng Bodigelo stemmed from an incident that occurred in Lethabong village, near Rustenburg on 29 March 2024.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the investigations led by Sergeant Molefe Kgabo, revealed that an altercation broke out between the accused and the complainant at the accused’s parental home. Gunya said during the incident, Bodigelo went into a shack, retrieved a steel iron and repeatedly struck the complainant on the head while he was seated, rendering him unconscious.

“The accused then poured a dustbin full of garbage over the victim and proceeded to the nearby neighbours to request matches with the intention of setting the victim alight. The neighbours refused and intervened, preventing further harm.

“A case was subsequently opened and the accused was arrested and later released on bail. While on bail, he failed to appear in court and was convicted of contempt of court, for which he was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment,” he said.

Gunya further said during the trial, Bodigelo pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted murder. He added that the state prosecutor, Zola Mpayipheli, led evidence, including testimony from the medical doctor who examined the victim.

“The court heard that the victim lost his left eye and sustained severe head injuries that resulted in permanent brain damage, leaving him with significant memory loss.

“In aggravation of sentence, the state argued that the attack had devastating and lifelong consequences for the victim, who will no longer be able to enjoy life to its fullest due to his injuries,” said Gunya.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Mpayipheli and the law enforcement team for their diligent work in securing the conviction and sentence. Mkhari said the NPA remains committed to the prosecution of violent crimes and to ensuring justice for victims.

“The NPA welcomes the sentence of 15 years imprisonment. The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm,” she said.

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Three suspects nabbed for possession and dealing in drugs

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Picture: Drugs confiscated by the police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

18 March 2026 – The police in Ngaka Modiri Molema District continue to make strides in the fight against drug related crimes through intelligence driven operations. On 16 March 2026, the members of Crime Intelligence together with Lichtenburg K9, conducted a targeted operation based on reliable intelligence at different locations within Lichtenburg and Delareyville.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said the operation resulted in the successful arrest of two suspects for possession of drugs and one for dealing in drugs. Skalkie said during the operation, the police confiscated various substances believed to be drugs including mandrax tablets, crystal meth and nyaope.

“The suspects aged between 19 and 27, were immediately arrested for possession of suspected illegal substances and dealing in drugs. All three suspects will appear before Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court soon,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the members for swift response and dedication. Naidoo further encouraged the members of the community to continue working with the police and by providing information that can assist in the fight against crime.

“Information can be reported anonymously via Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or through the My SAPS App,” he said.

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Wanted suspect nabbed during routine operation

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By REGINALD KANYANE

18 March 2026 – A wanted suspect was arrested by the police in Mahikeng during a routine operation conducted at a local taxi rank. On 17 March 2026, the police were conducting their normal crime prevention duties when they identified and apprehended a suspect who was wanted in connection with a previous criminal case of residential burglary, which occurred in Mahikeng on 14 April 2018.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said the suspect was positively linked with fingerprints and will be profiled to determine any possible links to other cases. Skalkie said the suspect was arrested and detained.

“He is expected to appear before Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court soon,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded the police for their vigilance and committed to ensuring that wanted suspects were brought to book.

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Mosadi o tshwaretswe maiteko a polao morago ga ditatofatso tsa go tlhaba morwadie

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

18 Mopitlwe 2026- Mosadi wa dingwaga di le 38 o tshwerwe morago ga ditatofatso tsa go tlhaba morwadie (16) ka sengwe se se bogale makgetlho a le mmalwa. Tiragalo e, ke ya kwa motsesetoropong wa Utlwanang, kwa Christiana.

Go begwa fa kgwedi ya Mopitlwe e ne e tlhola matsatsi a le 16, magareng ga ura ya 9 le 11 mo mosong, go ile ga tsoga tlhatlharuane magareng ga motsadi o le ngwana wa gagwe.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Majang Skalkie are go begwa fa mosetsanyana o, a ile a tabogisediwa kwa kliniking ya selegae ka dintho tsa go tlhabiwa. Skalkie are motswasetlhabelo o ile a lokololwa kwa kliniking moragonyana.

“Sepodisi se batlisisa kgetsi ya maiteko a polao kgatlhanong le mosadi o. Se se tla morago ga gore a tekete morwadie. Mosadi o, o ile a tshwarwa gone ka letsatsi leo, mme o tlhotse a tlhageletse kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Christiana mo letsatsing la gompieno.

“Kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha di 24 Mopitlwe 2026, kwa molatofadiwa a solofetseng go dira kopo ya semmuso ya beile,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

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Banna ba le bararo ba tshwerwe mabapi le polao kwa Manthe  

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Rapelang Robert Molale

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

18 Mopitlwe 2026- Banna ba le bararo ba dingwaga tse di magareng ga 60 le 62, ba solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la kamoso. Go begwa fa babelaelwa ba, ba golaganngwa le kgetsi ya polao ya ga Robert Rapelang Molale wa kwa motseng wa Mothanthanyaneng mono Taung.

Go begwa fa Molale a ile a bolawa ke baagi ba motse wa Manthe mono Taung morago ga go latofadiwa ka go utswa leruo. Go begwa Molale a ne a tsewa le go ya go tsenngwa kwa metsing kwa molapong, mme a tlhokafala.

Tiragalo e, ke ya ngwaga o o fetileng. Babelaelwa ba tshwerwe mo mosong wa gompieno ke lephata la matseka a sepodisi kwa motseng wa Manthe.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, mokaptein Majang Skalkie are babelaelwa ba, ba lebagane le kgetsi ya polao.

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