Setshwantsho: Lepodisi le le tshwerweng, McDonald Moshopa Mojaki/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
8 Moranang 2026 – Kgetsi ya bogodu jwa leruo kgatlhanong le motlhankela wa sepodisi, McDonald Moshopa Mojaki (42) kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Hartswater, e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Hartswater go fitlha 11 Motsheganong 2026. Mojaki one a tshwarwa mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go utswa dipudi kwa motseng wa Magogong, gaufi le Taung.
Go begwa Mojaki e le Sarasanta, ebile a direla lephata la matseka teng kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Hartwater, mme ka tsalo, a tswa kwa motseng wa Mokasa, mono Taung. Go begwa fa Mojaki a tshwerwe ke ba babatlisisi ba kwa Kimberley Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU) ba go begwang fa e le kgale ba mo tlhomile matlho sebakanyana morago ga go amogela dingongora tse di shupang fa a le dinalanyana.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa Kapa Bokone, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane, motlhankela o wa sepodisi, o tshwerwe ka Labone. Go begwa fa Mojaki a neetswe beile ya R500.
Kgabagare, Mokomishinara wa nama-o-sa-tshwere wa sepodisi kwa Kapa Bokone, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi, are ke matlhabisa ditlhong go bona bangwe ba batlhankela ba sepodisi ba amega mo bogodung.
“Batlhankela ba sepodisi ba tshwanetse go direla baagi ka boammaruri le botshepegi. Go tlile go bolodiwa dipatlisiso tsa ka mogare kgatlhanong le motlhankela o wa sepodisi,” Mphuthi wa tlhalosa.
8 April 2026 – Following the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), directed that government intensify its fight against organised crime and strengthen cooperation between the security cluster departments and the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to form part of a broader national effort to confront organised criminal networks, deal with crime, stabilise affected communities and restore public confidence in law enforcement, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Matlhapi Deborah Mmolawa, invites members of the media to attend the Launch of Operation Prosper at the SAPS Academy’s Boardroom in Mogwase Unit 5, in Mankwe on Thursday at 8am.
8 April 2026 – The North West Department of Education hereby confirms its preparedness to commence teaching and learning in schools for the second quarter of the 2026 academic calendar after the conclusion of the autumn recess. The department said it commends the school communities for their role in ensuring a secure and efficient school environment maintained throughout the Easter holiday period.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi further commends school principals, teachers, and Grade 12 candidates for their dedication to ensuring the successful execution of school days conducted throughout the province in the first quarter of the 2026 academic year. Motsumi added that, upon the commencement of the second quarter on 8 April 2026, she formally urged all parents and guardians to Register Learners on time in all schools to ensure learners are taught immediately on the first day of the reopening of schools in 2027 academic year.
“The second quarter is a crucial period and our main objective is to begin proactively to enhance learner performance across all Grade levels, as mid-term examinations are approaching. I am further calling all communities to look after their school properties to overcome incidents of vandalism like the burning of school that happened recently at FM Ramaboa Technical School in Itsoseng Township.
“If we work together nothing is impossible for us. All preparations, including the NSNP (National Schools Nutrition Programme), School infrastructure, Scholar Transportation, and LTSM (Learning and Teaching Support Materials), are completed by the North West Department of Education to ensure a smooth school reopening,” she said.
8 April 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president Cyril Ramaphosa has described the provision of housing to victims of apartheid-era violence as a “moral obligation” and a crucial step towards restoring dignity and advancing reconciliation. Ramaphosa was speaking at the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Housing Assistance Reparations programme in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday.
“The provision of reparations is not just an act of goodwill. It is a moral obligation and a vital part of restoring people’s dignity. The initiative marks a key milestone in South Africa’s journey towards justice.
“Today, we are marking the implementation of regulations that allow victims of apartheid, identified through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process, to receive housing assistance from the State,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said this reflects their commitment as a country to recognising and healing the divisions of its past and to honouring all those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land. He added that while truth-telling was central to the TRC process, it was not sufficient on its own.
“As a country, we understand that truth alone is not sufficient to repair the harm that was done. We know that reconciliation cannot be enduring without reparations. Ndwedwe was one of the communities deeply affected by political violence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“People were forced to flee their homes. Homes were burned and property was destroyed. Many innocent lives were lost. Families were rendered homeless and broken up. Many people lost their livelihoods and access to their land. The effects of the violence lasted for many years and some still persist to this day,” said Ramaphosa.
He noted that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had documented hundreds of cases of violence in the area, formally recognising residents as victims of gross human rights violations. Ramaphosa said Ndwedwe stands as a powerful site of memory and survival, representing rural communities whose suffering often received less public attention but was no less devastating.
Ramaphosa said the newly-implemented housing assistance regulations, published in January 2026, flow directly from TRC recommendations and set out how verified beneficiaries will receive support. He said the confirmed beneficiaries are eligible to receive a once-off grant for housing assistance or the construction of a new home.
“220 beneficiaries have been approved in Ndwedwe, with symbolic cheques representing R40 million in cumulative assistance handed over during the launch. The handover of these symbolic cheques today affirms our belief that reconciliation and reparations must be concrete and tangible.
“Linking the programme to broader constitutional commitments, housing remains central to human dignity. Our Constitution places a clear obligation on the State to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within available resources, to progressively realise everyone’s right of access to adequate housing,” said Ramaphosa.
He said their Constitution places housing as a fundamental pillar of human dignity, safety and security. Ramaphosa said as South Africa marks 30 years of its democratic Constitution, the country must remain committed to addressing historical injustices.
“As we commemorate 30 years of our Constitution this year, we affirm that our future is built on remembering our past and correcting the injustices that were committed.
“United by one Constitution, inspired by one shared destiny, we recommit to completing the work of nation-building that was begun in 1994,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the government would continue working to ensure that victims of apartheid-era injustices receive support and recognition. He said the task of building a truly united, just and equal society continues.
“We will not rest until all our people can live in peace, security and comfort,” said Ramaphosa.
8 April 2026 – The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is reviewing the local fuel price mechanism with the process to be completed in March next year. This according to the department’s Director of Fuel Pricing Mechanism, Robert Maake, who spoke to SAnews.gov.za in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Maake said that the price of fuel is the end result of a multitude of global and domestic forces ranging from the fluctuating price of crude oil and the strength of the Rand to the intricate costs of shipping, storage, and a series of government levies and taxes.
“Our pricing formula is based on two components. One of them is the import part where all the costs associated with importing petroleum products into South Africa is accounted for.
“The second part is the local factor. What changes on a monthly basis is the international component driven mainly by the oil price and the Rand/Dollar exchange rate. What is happening now is the very high oil price due to the war in the Middle East which is driving the [escalating] fuel prices and the weaker Rand,” he said.
Maake further said while the international factors, including the price Brent Crude Oil, demurrage rates and freight costs, are set internationally, the local factors are under consideration. He added that the main one for them in the department is the review of the fuel price mechanism.
“What we are going to be doing now is to review how the industry margins are calculated in South Africa. The wholesale margins, retail margins, secondary storage [and] secondary distribution.
“That process has started. We have already signed a service level agreement with a service provider and we expect that work to be concluded by March 2027,” said Maake.
He said in the immediate term, the government has already announced the temporary reduction of the general fuel levy by R3 to cushion consumers. Maake said in the short term it means that consumers are actually paying R3 less for petrol and diesel at the service stations which is useful for households and motorists.
“It is difficult at the moment to say how the government will intervene [in the long term] and what the next step will be. Turning to the price of paraffin, the influences which paved the way for the fuel source to increase by R11.67 for wholesale and some R15.60 for the Single Maximum National Retail Price for Illuminating Paraffin.
“Paraffin is not taxed so the relief measure was to reduce the fuel levy and there’s no fuel levy on paraffin. It is already zero rated so the same cannot be applied to paraffin. We need a different mechanism for paraffin,” he said.
Maake said the reason why paraffin has almost doubled in price is because from a refinery production point of view, paraffin and jet fuel, when they come from the refinery, are known as dual purpose kerosene so it depends on the final use at the end of the day. He said the challenge they had was that there was a demand for air travel last month globally, particularly in Europe where they were coming from their winter season to where they wanted to travel.
“Unfortunately, because of the winter, some of the major refineries had closed down due to the very cold winter season where they could not operate. So there was a shortage of jet fuel and as a result, both the price of jet fuel and paraffin shot up.
“Despite these factors, the department is having “sleepless nights” on how to bring relief to consumers of paraffin. We are looking at what other mechanisms we can propose. The first one of zero rating is fine because there are no taxes on paraffin but what is the next one?” said Maake.
He said maybe they can look at the indigent framework where paraffin users register and get direct support from the government?
Maake said also the bulk of paraffin is used in mixing with diesel by some businesspeople.
“So, it’s very important that whatever form of support that the government comes up with is targeted to the beneficiaries. Ahead of the fuel price increase last week, there were reports of fuel shortages at some service stations.
“What we have seen…is something that we have never seen before. Particularly the magnitude of the fuel price increase. So what likely happened is that some of the commercial customers were trying to buy in bulk in anticipation of the high fuel prices,” he said.
Maake said so, they were placing additional orders on top of the orders they had with the suppliers.
“But also, there were complaints that some service stations were running out of fuel and people were thinking that they were hoarding fuel until the new price kicks in. That was a big challenge for us.
“However, we just came from the long weekend and from the reports that we are getting, there were not a lot of reports from provinces that they were running out of fuel,” he said.
Maake reiterated assurances that supply to South Africa remains stable despite reports to the contrary.
“In as far as supply is concerned, we are safe and secure. In the meetings that we are having with the oil companies…they have indicated the number of vessels that they have secured and confirmed that will be coming to the country even up to the end of May.
“And, from time to time, when the vessels come then they will place additional orders. We have daily meetings with the oil companies and people who are responsible for supply in the oil companies. That’s where they give us assurance in terms of the supply that they are bringing to the country,” said Maake.
Picture: The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh
By OBAKENG MAJE
8 April 2026 – The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh has called for greater global fairness in the sharing of benefits derived from biodiversity. Singh said they made the call as he opened the third meeting of the Steering Committee on the multilateral mechanism for Digital Sequence Information (DSI) at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on Tuesday.
Addressing delegates from across the world, Singh further described the setting, located within the Cape Floristic Region, as a reminder of both the value of biodiversity and the shared responsibility to conserve it and ensure its benefits are distributed equitably. He emphasised that the work of the Steering Committee comes at a critical time, noting that issues of fairness, equity and justice are central to how benefits from biodiversity are shared globally.
“In Africa, biodiversity is closely tied to livelihoods, cultures and identities. The decisions taken during the meeting would have real implications for Indigenous people and local communities who have protected these resources for generations.
“We pointed to South Africa’s advanced Access and Benefit-Sharing system, which is aligned with international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, as an example of how equitable engagement between researchers, companies and communities can be achieved,” Singh added.
He said this made South Africa a fitting host for discussions on the multilateral mechanism and the Cali Fund. Singh said reflecting on progress made at the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16), Singh noted that countries had agreed to establish a multilateral mechanism to address the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including the creation of the Cali Fund.
“We would like to describe the decision as a milestone aimed at ensuring that benefits arising from genetic data used in research and innovation are shared more fairly, while strengthening corporate responsibility.
“We traced the development of the issue back to 2016, when digital sequence information first gained prominence under the Convention, and outlined how ongoing discussions, including global dialogues initiated by South Africa and Norway in 2019, helped build consensus,” he said.
Singh highlighted South Africa’s role in convening these engagements, including key meetings in Pretoria, which contributed to the eventual agreement reached in Cali. He stressed that in the African context, benefit-sharing is not only a technical issue but also a historical one, noting that Indigenous knowledge has long contributed to sectors such as medicine and agriculture without adequate recognition or compensation.
“The work of the Steering Committee and the development of the Cali Fund present an opportunity to address these imbalances and ensure that both monetary and non-monetary benefits reach the communities that have safeguarded biodiversity.
“South Africa’s own experience demonstrates how the use of genetic resources can deliver tangible benefits for both communities and conservation efforts, and expressed hope that this experience could inform broader discussions on shaping a fair, inclusive and effective mechanism,” said Singh.
8 April 2026 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the helicopter that went missing on Monday with four occupants, including the pilot, has been successfully located this morning with all individuals found alive and unharmed. The group, which includes two SAPS investigators, along with an Environmental Crime Investigator, had safely landed in a remote area on Monday.
The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said, however, as they attempted to navigate through the thick bush, they could not find the chopper. Mathe said following their rescue, it has been confirmed that all the occupants are safe.
“The chopper disappeared on Monday during an investigation after a report was brought to the attention of law enforcers that there was a carcass discovered in the Kruger National Park, hence the probe to find out circumstances thereof.
“A report indicates that the team departed in the morning around 9am and did not return as anticipated. Some efforts to establish communication with the helicopter crew yielded no results due to poor signal and it is suspected that the chopper could have been flying low,” she said.
Mathe further said all attempts to reach them via their mobile phones and other means were unsuccessful. She added that it was only in the evening that it was realised that something was wrong, prompting immediate action to locate them.
“In response to the situation, another helicopter equipped with night vision capabilities, alongside drones, was swiftly deployed to assist in the search efforts. Unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn. “However, the drones continued their search throughout the night,” said Mathe.
Meanwhile, the acting Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, remarked that the committed members were carrying out their duties even on a day that is recognized as a holiday in the country.
8 April 2026 – Twelve suspects were arrested by the police in Thabo Mofutsanyana District during Easter holiday operations for various serious offences, including murder, attempted murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms and drug-related crimes. The intensified, high-visibility policing operations yielded positive results in both police-driven and community-reported crimes.
However, the district also recorded an increase in cases of murder, attempted murder and rape. The police said six suspects were arrested in connection with murder cases reported across Nketoana, Setsoto, Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela municipalities.
“Among the victims were two women, who were murdered in separate incidents in Reitz and Warden. In Marquard, five suspects were arrested for possession of illegal firearms, ammunition and drugs. The confiscated drugs include crystal meth and mandrax.
“Several attempted murder cases were also reported, stemming from shooting incidents and stabbings, often occurring in public spaces where individuals were under the influence of alcohol. The police also reported disturbing rape incidents involving vulnerable victims, including a 66-year-old person and minors,” the police said.
The police said in one particularly case in the Bluegumbosch Disaster Park Section, a woman was allegedly raped by seven suspects while walking home from a local tavern. They said furthermore, four additional suspects, including a police officer, were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and defeating the ends of justice.
“A total of four illegal firearms were seized during operations conducted in Harrismith, Phuthaditjhaba and Tseki. An undocumented foreign national was also arrested during these operations.
“All arrested suspects appeared before various Magistrate Courts yesterday. The police commended community members, who provided valuable information leading to these arrests,” the police said.
8 April 2026 – The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has welcomed Infrastructure South Africa’s contribution to the successful hosting of the South African Investment Conference in Sandton last Tuesday. Macpherson also welcomed its role in helping to unlock a $1 billion investment pledge by global agricultural company UPL, announced at the conference.
He further said the investment amounting to approximately R17 billion and led by UPL Chairman and Group CEO Jai Shroff, is linked to a large-scale bioethanol production facility in South Africa. Macpherson said the project will utilise sugarcane and maize as a feedstock and support the development of an integrated agricultural and energy value chain.
“Infrastructure South Africa, an entity of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, played a key facilitative role in advancing the project by bringing together stakeholders across the agricultural, energy and financial sectors.
“This included supporting engagements between UPL and a major development finance institution to explore project
preparation and financing opportunities, as well as broader collaboration to move the project towards implementation,” he said.
Macpherson further said the project has significant potential, including the cultivation of approximately 400 000 hectares of sweet sorghum and the production of up to 1.3 billion litres of bioethanol annually. He added that this will inject significant amounts of money directly back to small- and large-scale farmers.
“This positions South Africa as a potential leader in the biofuels sector, while supporting rural development and job creation. Infrastructure South Africa is playing an increasingly important role in unlocking investment by removing bottlenecks, coordinating stakeholders, and supporting project preparation.
“When I was appointed Public Works and Infrastructure Minister 21 months ago, I committed to turning the department into the economic delivery unit of South Africa to help grow the economy and create much-needed jobs,” said Macpherson.
He said the $1 billion investment, facilitated by Infrastructure South Africa, is clear evidence of the progress they are making in achieving that goal. Macpherson said this investment demonstrates what is possible when the government plays an active role in facilitating partnerships, removing obstacles, and aligning stakeholders behind a common objective.
“It also highlights the growing importance of Infrastructure South Africa in ensuring that projects of this scale move from concept to implementation as we work to build a better South Africa,” he said.
8 April 2026 – South Africa’s tourism sector has emerged as a powerful driver of economic growth and job creation, with new data highlighting its recovery and expansion beyond pre-pandemic levels. According to Statistics South Africa’s latest Tourism Satellite Account report, the sector supported 953 981 direct jobs in 2024 – accounting for 5.7% of the country’s labour force.
The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille said this translates to roughly one in every 18 South Africans being directly employed in tourism. De Lille said the sector’s contribution to the economy has also surged.
“Tourism accounted for 4.9% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, exceeding its 3.7% contribution in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, tourism outperformed traditional industries such as agriculture, utilities, and construction.
“Tourism spending rebounded sharply, reaching a total of R779.2 billion. Domestic travellers contributed the bulk of this figure at R665.3 billion, while international visitors accounted for R113.9 billion,” she said.
De Lille further said this once again reaffirms that domestic tourists are the bedrock of the sector in the country. She added that they contribute significantly to the sector’s role in growing the economy and creating jobs, while international tourism continues to strengthen.
“The recovery is also evident in rising international arrivals. South Africa recorded a milestone of 10.5 million international visitors in 2025. Early figures for 2026, suggest continued momentum, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in the first two months of the year.
“In January 2026, arrivals reached 1 133 533 – an increase of 12.4% compared to the same month in 2025. February followed with 864 534 arrivals, marking a 13.1% year-on-year rise,” said de Lille.
She said they expect further growth in international arrivals with the rollout of the Electronic Travellers Authorisation and their marketing strategy as they position South Africa as an affordable holiday and MICE destination of choice. De Lille said she attributed the sector’s strong performance to the implementation of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, a collaborative initiative between government and the private sector aimed at accelerating recovery and long-term growth.
“With domestic demand holding firm and international interest steadily increasing, tourism is once again cementing its role as a cornerstone of South Africa’s economic recovery,” she said.
The Guardian 