Setshwantsho: Ditopo di le pedi di bonwe kwa Tlakgameng/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
19 Mopitlwe 2026- Go bonwe ditopo di le pedi tse di neng di setse di senyegile kwa ntlung nngwe kwa motseng wa Tlakgameng, gaufi le Ganyesa mo mosong wa gompieno. Go begwa fa ditopo tse, ele sa ngaka ya setso le monnawe.
Go begwa fa setopo sa ngaka e ya setso, se fitlhetswe se kgaotswe tlhogo, mme baswi ka bobedi ba ne ba na le dintho tsa go kgemethiwa. Dipego di shupa fa baswi e le baagi ba kwa nageng ya Lesotho ka bobedi.
*Gobegwa fa sepodisi se setse se kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme dintlha ka botlalo di tla latela.
19 March 2026- A man (42) from Hopetown was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, additional ten years for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), and a further ten years for the sexual violation of a corpse. All sentences will run concurrently.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said the accused, Salmom Kammies, was found guilty on charges of assault, rape, and murder and subsequently sentenced in the Kimberley High Court. Shemane said it was established during the trial that on 3 May 2024, the accused handed himself over to the police, alleging that he had acted in self-defence following an argument with his girlfriend.
“The police responded to the scene, where they discovered the lifeless body of the victim, Liezel Louw (29), in a bedroom. The body was found naked, with multiple bruises and stab wounds.
“The accused was arrested and remained in custody after bail was successfully opposed until the finalisation of the case,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Phillip Kleynhans, for his meticulous investigation and dedication in ensuring that justice is served. Mtukushe further reassured the public that the police will not tolerate the abuse, rape, and killing of vulnerable individuals.
Picture: Nine suspects nabbed in connection of illicit mining/Supplied
By STAFF REPORTER
19 March 2026 – In response to illegal mining activities around the Frances Baard District, the members conducting Operation Vala Umgodi duties acted on a tip-off regarding people who were allegedly actively involved in illegal mining at a specific mining area. The police conducted a search at the identified premises and discovered individuals inside the mining area in possession of suspected diamond bearing gravel.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said this led to the arrest of nine suspects, including two females and seven males between the ages of 40 and 70, for trespassing and illicit mining on 18 March 2026, at the Sol Plaatje private property in the Florianville mining area. Shemane said mining implements believed to be used in the commission of illegal mining activities were confiscated by the police.
“The Frances Baard District illicit mining operations will continue unabated in the district,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
19 March 2026- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi delivered a stern warning against poor performing developers during a community meeting, where he officially introduced the three developers tasked with constructing 1075 Breaking New Ground (BNG) units in Ikageng Extension 13.
Molapisi said the project, which is valued at over R230 million and set to break ground in April 2026, promises to be a game-changer for the community, eradicating informal settlements by replacing them with secure, decent homes by December 2027.
He further said the three appointed contractors were introduced to the community. During the meeting, Molapisi announced that the department will closely monitor their performance throughout the duration of the project.
“The department will not hesitate to terminate their contracts should they fail to meet the agreed completion timelines. We advise them to enlist additional capacity where necessary to ensure that the project is completed on schedule.
“We also indicated that the department has experienced challenges in the past with contractors who abandon projects or deliver poor-quality work. In order to address this challenge, the department has resolved to implement a strict milestone-based payment system, where contractors are paid according to the work they have completed,” he added.
Molapisi said if they fail to deliver, the department will be left with no option, but to terminate the contract and appoint a new contractor to complete the job. He also urged community members to cooperate with the contractors and ward councillors to prevent any disruptions which could delay the project.
“We have appointed three developers, two of whom are women and one man. This forms part of our deliberate effort to meet the 40% target for women-owned companies in government projects.
“By appointing women developers, we not only achieve the target but we also contribute towards the empowerment of women in the construction sector,’’ said Molapisi.
He emphasised that residents of Ikageng must be prioritised for local job opportunities throughout the duration of the project. Molapisi reaffirmed the department’s commitment to prioritise vulnerable groups, including women, older persons, child-headed households, and persons with disabilities, when allocating houses to beneficiaries.
Picture: North West Department of Education engages Makgori residents/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
19 March 2026- The North West Department of Education delegation engaged the community members and parents of Makgori village, near Mahikeng, following concerns raised about the state of infrastructure and the shortage of teachers at Makgori Primary School on 17 March 2026. The concerns raised by parents and community members led to the temporary closure of the school over the past two weeks which disrupted teaching and learning.
During the meeting, the departmental delegation paid attention to the community’s concerns and provided clarity on the measurable steps to be taken to address the challenges raised. The department in the meeting assured the community of Makgori that the issue of the shortage of teachers will be addressed to ensure that teaching and learning continue without further disruption.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “It was indicated that the school is currently experiencing a shortage of a [NSTech] Natural Sciences and Technology teacher. Measures are being put in place to fill the teacher’s vacancy so that learners receive the necessary academic support for term one of 2026.
“As part of a lesson recovery plan, learners will also be provided with extra classes to recover the teaching and learning time that was lost during the two weeks in which the school was not operational. The Multi Grade option will be used as a measure to assist in closing the gap in the time lost.”
Motsumi further said on the matter of the dilapidated infrastructure, her department informed the community of Makgori that a maintenance contractor has already been appointed. She added that the maintenance contractor will be formally and officially introduced to the community and parents at the beginning of the 2026/27 financial year to undertake major renovations aimed at improving the condition of the school infrastructure.
“I want to assure the community that, as the department, we are fully aware of their challenges. I have delegated a team of officials to address these issues. We will ensure that the school implements a catch-up plan to mitigate the loss of teaching and learning time.
“Learners are expected to return to school after missing a period of two weeks,” said Motsumi.
Picture: The North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko/Supplied
By PETRUS SIKO
19 March 2026- Our beloved country, South Africa is experiencing a troubling new pandemic. The mushrooming of bystanders who devote their energy and time to shooting videos and photographs of injured people of all ages at accident scenes and sharing them on social media platforms.
These platforms are flooded with accident footage, generating views and shares. This phenomenon extends beyond road accidents.
Victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), abandoned children, school pupils and even people caught in moments of personal crisis are often filmed and circulated online. In some cases, individuals engaged in sexual misconduct are also recorded and exposed.
The situation is amplified by the rapid spread of mobile phones equipped with high-definition cameras and instant sharing capabilities. We know for a fact that accidents are moments of crisis where help is needed immediately, not later.
Yet in our time, many bystanders seem to be there for one thing only: content creation. Instead of stepping forward to assist, they rush to their cell phones to capture footage, eager to be the first to post or break the story.
In doing so, they overlook their responsibility as potential helpers who could assist the injured or call emergency service. As I write this piece, I am reminded of a horrific accident that occurred along the R34 between Bloemhof and Schweizer Reneke In 2022.
In that tragedy, one family lost 15 members in a head-on collision that claimed 19 lives. The grieving families were later confronted with heart-rending videos circulating on social media, depicting the bodies of their loved ones.
Watching those viral videos made an already painful grieving process even more difficult, leaving many family members feeling helpless and traumatised. At the time, one family member was quoted as saying: “We were very much disturbed about the video that was shared on social media. We were disturbed by the pictures that we saw. People do not have mercy. Children are traumatised now at home. Instead of healing, we keep on bleeding because of the videos that we saw.”
In another accident earlier this year, 14 pupils were killed in a devastating scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark. Families were shattered, particularly after seeing viral videos of the accident circulating online.
Shortly after that tragedy, another scholar transport vehicle was involved in a road accident in the North West. Residents and commuters were left shocked, although fortunately, there were no major injuries. Yet, without hesitation, bystanders captured the scene and shared it on social media.
The impact of these videos and pictures shared in the name of content creation can be severe. Imagine a viral video of the deceased reaching every corner of the world before families and relatives are formally informed.
Imagine watching a critically injured person crying for help until their final breath, while someone stands nearby filming. Social media is at our beck and call.
Whether we like it or not, it is here to stay. Its immense influence has led many bystanders to prioritise capturing incidents rather than intervening in the plight of those in danger. This phenomenon raises serious ethical questions for our society.
Are we slowly losing our moral fibre? Are we not, in some ways, mocking or disgracing grieving families?
Does content creation now extend to exposing the most painful and vulnerable moments of others, including critical injuries and death? And where is our collective sense of responsibility as a people, particularly as Africans who are raised with the values of ubuntu from a young age?
In some instances, social media can serve as a powerful tool for sharing information and drawing authorities’ attention to emergencies. However, publicising accident scenes can also lead to serious privacy violations. The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) exists to regulate how we handle and share other people’s personal information, particularly without their consent.
The best thing bystanders can do when confronted with an accident or crisis is to alert the relevant authorities and emergency services, rather than filming victims and spreading such images on social media.
(Note: Petrus Siko is the Head of Communication at the North West Department of Social Development and he is writing in his own capacity as an observant resident. His views do not necessarily represent those of the department he works for or the media houses that publish his opinion.)
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 19 March 2026- The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) has reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers and holding businesses accountable, following a successful intervention by the Consumer Affairs Office and Provincial Consumer Affairs Court in a dispute involving a consumer based at Lokaleng village in Mahikeng against a drilling company.
The case, concluded during World Consumer Rights Month, highlights the decisive role of the Provincial Consumer Affairs Court in providing redress and enforcing compliance with consumer legislation and ensuring that consumers are not exploited.
The North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane said Josephine Seitlhamo of Lokaleng village entered into an agreement with Francois Drilling (Pty) Ltd in November 2023, for the drilling of a 50-metre borehole, including installation of all necessary equipment. Lenkopane said Setlhamo paid R27 800 for the service.
“However, the company failed to meet its contractual obligations. The borehole was not drilled to the agreed depth and despite the company claiming that the work had been completed according to specifications and no water was found.
“The consumer was subsequently requested to incur additional costs amounting to R11 000 for casings. She objected to a payment of a further R4 500 for a cylinder pump, without any resolution to the problem,” she said.
Lenkopane further said an independent assessment later revealed that the borehole measured only 34 metres and had no water, contradicting the service provider’s claims and pointing to conduct that falls short of acceptable business standards and boarded around misleading, unfair and otherwise improper business practices. She added that after unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter directly with the supplier, Seitlhamo lodged a complaint with the Consumer Affairs Office.
“Due to lack of cooperation and parties failing to reach an agreement during the mediation process, the matter was escalated to the Provincial Consumer Affairs Court. The Provincial Consumer Affairs Court summoned the company before it and it determined that it has violated the rights of the consumer by not offering the services required in terms of the contract.
“The service provider was charged for contravening Section 54 of the Consumer Protection Act by failing to provide quality service. The case was heard on 25 February 2026,” said Lenkopane.
She said during the hearing, Francois Drilling (Pty) Ltd undertook to drill a new borehole for Seitlhamo and to provide the necessary equipment on or before 5 March 2026. Lenkopane said the Consumer Affairs Court decided that should the undertaking not be complied with by Francois Drilling (Pty) Ltd, an order will be made for it to refund Seitlhamo an amount of R38 800.
“The undertaking was complied with as agreed, and on the 5 March 2026, a delightful Seitlhamo phoned the Consumer Protector to confirm that the new borehole was bored and that it is fully functional and yielding sufficient water, ending two years of suffering.
“The case underscores the realization and enforcement of consumer rights as envisaged by the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, which prohibits misleading, unfair, and deceptive conduct by suppliers. This achievement ensures maintenance of a consumer market that is fair, accessible, efficient, sustainable for the benefit of consumers,” she said.
Seitlhamo suffered financial loss and prolonged inconvenience, having spent approximately R38 800 and relying on water tankers for an extended period due to the supplier’s failure to deliver on agreed services.
Speaking on the outcome, Consumer Protector, Seile Letsogo, emphasised the department’s firm stance against non-compliant businesses:
“This case demonstrates that the Provincial Consumer Affairs Court is an effective platform for redress and enforcement. We urge businesses to comply with the law and treat consumers fairly. Where there is evidence of prohibited conduct, we will not hesitate to act decisively to protect consumers and ensure that justice is served.
“The department has issued a stern warning to businesses operating within the province: non-compliance with consumer protection legislation and unethical business practices will not be tolerated. The department will continue to pursue enforcement measures, including administrative penalties, against those who violate consumer rights and engage in prohibited conducts,” he said.
Letsogo said consumers are encouraged to report unfair treatment and seek assistance from the Consumer Affairs Office, which remains committed to ensuring accessible, efficient, and fair redress for all.
Picture: North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
19 March 2026- The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), together with its entities, the North West Parks and Tourism Board, North West Gambling Board and North West Development Corporation, has convened a high-level strategic planning session to reset priorities, strengthen accountability and accelerate service delivery for the 2026/27 financial year.
The two-day session took place from 17–18 March 2026 at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng and brought together key stakeholders from national and provincial departments, as well as state entities, to align on a clear programme of action.
The North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane said at the centre of the discussions is the development of the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Annual Operational Plan (AOP), with a focus on measurable outcomes, responsiveness to community needs, and improved service delivery. Setting a firm tone, Lenkopane emphasised that the process must mark a decisive shift from routine compliance to real impact.
“This cannot be business as usual. We need to reposition the department as the engine of economic development, as our communities are running out of patience. This session must correct our course, sharpen our priorities and produce a plan that is measurable, implementable and responsive to the real needs of our people.
“There is a need to reposition the department and its entities to respond directly to socio-economic challenges, adding that alignment with the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy is critical to ensuring accountability,” she said.
Lenkopane further said job creation as the department’s flagship priority, calling for targeted interventions that unlock opportunities for SMMEs, township enterprises and youth. She added that in reinforcing a culture of accountability and performance, she recognised programmes that achieved 100% targets in Quarters 2 and 3 of the 2025/26 financial year, while the North West Parks and Tourism Board was acknowledged as the most improved entity.
“Despite the department achieving a record-breaking performance of over 91% in Quarter 3, we caution against complacency. This improvement is commendable, but it is not the destination. We must elevate our performance and ensure that every target translates into real impact in the lives of our people.
“Departmental plans must deliver tangible outcomes, including inclusive economic growth, a strengthened tourism sector, sustainable use of biodiversity resources, and effective environmental conservation,” said Lenkopane.
She said the session concluded with the adoption of a clear implementation plan and monitoring framework, placing community impact, including job creation, access to services, quality of delivery and citizen satisfaction at the centre of departmental performance.
19 March 2026- A Lesotho national, Mthakathi Gift Njama (38) from Meyerton, appeared before the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court, where he abandoned his bail application. Njama faces charges of murder of his wife, Faniswa Majola May and contravention of immigration laws for allegedly being in the country illegally.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that on 3 March 2026, the family of the deceased called the deceased’s child enquiring about their mother. Mahanjana said during the phone call, the child told the deceased’s family that they were traveling with his father and that the accused had locked the deceased in the house at their place of residence in Meyerton.
“On the same day, the family of the deceased went to the deceased’s place of residence and on arrival, when they could not find her, the deceased’s family went to the police and reported the deceased missing.
“A search by the police was conducted for both the deceased and the accused. On 5 March 2026, the accused was found in Vereeniging. The accused then led the police to a nearby stream, where the body of the deceased was found,” she said.
Mahanjana further said he was arrested on the scene. She added that in court, the accused abandoned his bail application.
“The matter was postponed to 25 March 2026, for a regional court appearance,” said Mahanjana.
19 Mopitlwe 2026- Banna ba le bane ba dingwaga tse di magareng ga 50 le 62, ba solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la kamoso. Go begwa fa sepodisi se letse se tshwere mmelaelwa o mongwe gape, mme palo ya ba babelaelwa e eme go nne.
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 letsatsing la maabane 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.
The Guardian 