Picture: An identikit of one of the men who allegedly raped a girl
By REGINALD KANYANE
13 April 2026 – The police in Klerksdorp request the community’s assistance in locating and identifying a man as per attached identikit. The police said it was reported to the police that a victim (15) climbed into the suspect’s Toyota Tazz that was used as a taxi on 5 August 2025.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said inside the vehicle, were two male occupants, the driver and passenger. Skalkie said the two suspects drove with the victim to Manzil Park Cemetery, where they allegedly threaten her before raping her.
“One suspect was wearing a balaclava. The man identified is light in complexion, medium in height and built. He was wearing a red woollen beanie, black padded bomber jacket, dark blue trousers and he spoke Setswana. He is estimated to be about 50 years-old or older.
“The second man is dark in complexion, tall and muscular built. He was wearing a black sweater, light blue trousers, light blue plastic shoes and also spoke Setswana. He is estimated to be 30 years-old or older. He was wearing a balaclava,” she said.
Skalkie further said the police request anyone who may have information that can assist to identify and trace the two men, to contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Maletsa Shole, of Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit on Cell: 082 568 6909. She added that anonymous information can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smart phone or phone Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
13 April 2026 – The police in Mabeskraal working in close collaboration with various specialised units, has achieved a significant breakthrough following the successful arrest of multiple suspects linked to a house robbery and kidnapping incident reported this week. The police said in the late Wednesday evening, 8 April 2026, a man (64) was kidnapped from his residence in Mabeskraal by a group of seven armed suspects.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the perpetrators allegedly targeted the victim based on information that he had recently received a substantial pension payout. Myburgh said following the incident, an intelligence-led, multidisciplinary operation was immediately launched.
“Through coordinated efforts involving crime intelligence, tactical teams, and local policing units, investigators traced suspects believed to be involved in the crime. On 9 April 2026, the police intercepted a vehicle on the R565 road (between Sun City and Rustenburg) near Boshoek.
“Three suspects were found in possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, as well as items believed to have been used in the commission of criminal activities, including a vehicle. Further investigation and information obtained led to additional arrests of three more suspects in the Ledig area, found with property linked to the victim,” she said.
Myburgh further said in total, six suspects aged between 30 and 60, were arrested and charged with offences, including kidnapping, house robbery, possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property. She added that items recovered during the operation include a firearm, ammunition, cell phones, electronic storage devices and other belongings linked to the victim.
“Further developments in the investigation led to the arrest of a seventh suspect, an estranged wife (49) to the victim, who allegedly played a key role in orchestrating the crime. All seven suspects are expected to appear before the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 13 April 2026, where they will face relevant charges.
“The police investigations remain ongoing, including linking the suspects to other crimes, including armed robberies and business robberies in the Marikana, Mabeskraal, Rustenburg and Mogwase areas,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major Gen (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, has commended all units involved for their swift and coordinated response, highlighting the importance of intelligence-driven operations in combating serious and violent crime. Naidoo said the members of the public are encouraged to report any information that may assist ongoing investigations to their nearest police station, via the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or anonymously via the MySAPS App from your smartphone.
13 April 2026 – The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, has welcomed the recent sentences handed down in five separate cases, including four involving rape and one related to the murder of a girl (3). Naidoo said in the first sentence handed down on 1 April 2026, Moses Madini Twala was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 10 years imprisonment for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) by the Lichtenburg Regional Court.
He further said Twala was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. Naidoo added that information presented before court indicated that on 22 November 2022, Twala was home at Boikhutso, whilst his girlfriend went to a nearby tuck shop.
“On arrival, an argument ensued between them because he did not believe her when she explained her whereabouts. He then became aggressive and assaulted his girlfriend in front of the children, who started crying and screaming as their mother started to bleed due to the assault. He then hit the youngest child (3), who lost consciousness.
“Twala then took the child to the bathroom and drowned her in the bath tub. After the ordeal, the child was taken to a nearby clinic, where she was declared dead on arrival. This matter was not reported to the police. Two days later one of the traumatised, elder siblings, who witnessed the assault and murder, reported the incident to the police,” he said.
Naidoo said after meticulous investigations done by Constable Tshepang Motone of the Lichtenburg Detectives, supported by the state advocate, Ntebaleng Mabale, Twala was arrested, found guilty and sentenced. He said the second unrelated sentence was handed down on 7 April 2026, after the court heard evidence that in the early hours of the morning on 30 September 2024, a victim (16) was walking home with a friend in Lethabong.
“They were approached from behind by Bongani Piet Maloka (30), who became aggressive and threatened the teenage girls with a knife. He chased the one girl away and forcefully took the other with him to a shack, where she was instructed to climb through the window in order to gain access.
“Maloka followed her inside the shack and ultimately raped her. After Maloka fell asleep, the victim fled from the scene and reported the incident. Maloka was sentenced by the Bafokeng Regional Court to 18 years imprisonment for rape and five years for kidnapping. These sentences will run concurrently,” said Naidoo.
He said Maloka was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, his name was entered in the National Register for Sexual Offenders and he was declared undesirable to work with children. Naidoo said Sergeant Balungile Makaya of Mogwase Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, supported by a prosecutor, worked hard to ensure this success.
“A third and fourth sentence was handed down on 8 April 2026, by the Ganyesa Regional Court, where Johannes Nasky Maruping (37) was sentenced to 15 years and life imprisonment in two separate rape cases reported in Morokweng.
“The sentences will run concurrently, Maruping was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name was entered in the National Register for Sexual Offenders. In the first case reported in the evening of Saturday, 4 June 2022, a victim (19) was walking with her sister along the Morokweng main road, when they were approached by four men walking behind them,” he said.
Naidoo said the sisters started to run away, but Maruping, who had a knife, caught one of the sisters and threatened her with a knife. He said Maruping forcefully took her to his residence and raped her.
“In the second case, a grandmother reported that her daughter (15) came home early on Sunday morning, 7 August 2022, and reported that she was raped by a man in Gamokgopa Section in Morokweng, whilst being threatened with a knife.
“Meticulous investigations by Constable Teko Daniel Montwedi of the Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit, supported by state prosecutor, Seapei Molope, led to this success,” said Naidoo.
He said the last sentence was handed down on 10 April by the Bafokeng Regional Court. Naidoo said the court heard evidence that an accused (52), raped his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter after she was sent to his residence in Luka Village in Phokeng on Saturday afternoon, 24 August 2022 to collect containers.
“The accused misled the victim, who was previously raped, that he will restore her virginity by sleeping with her. After reporting this to her mother, the man was arrested on 28 August 2022 and appeared before court and was later granted bail.
“A warrant of arrest was issued after he absconded bail during September 2023.He was re-arrested a few months later in Nanahadi, Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State on 5 November 2025, by a team consisting of Rustenburg FCS and members of Phuthaditjhaba Police Station. A convict was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment after the state argued that the accused caused secondary trauma to the victim by raping her again and by abusing the trust he had as a step-father,” he said.
Naidoo said furthermore, he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, his name was entered in the National Register for Sexual Offenders and he was declared undesirable to work with children. He said the Investigating Officer was Warrant Officer Phenyo Cynthia Monchusi of Head Office SECI Unit and the prosecutor, advocate Zola Mpayipheli.
“We commend the investigating officers, prosecutors and all other role players for their collaborative efforts in securing these convictions and sentences. We would also like to motivate community members to not stay silent when Gender Based Violence (GBV) is committed, as this protects the abuser, not the victim,” said Naidoo.
Picture: A police officer arrested for an offence/Generic
By STAFF REPORTER
13 April 2026 – Two Police Constables and a Reservist who were arrested for corruption, granted bail. Constable Itumeleng Moseki (39), Constable Fungile Advocate Yelani (28) and Reservist Constable Joseph Themba Tshele (47), working at Klerksdorp Crime Prevention, were granted a R2000 bail each by the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on 31 March 2026 and their case was postponed until 12 May 2026.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said their court appearance follows their apprehension on 26 March 2026, by members of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU). Myburgh said it is alleged the accused targeted foreign businessmen (victims) between December 2025 and March 2026.
“After inspecting their permits/passports and businesses, they would demand money to not arrest them. In one of the cases reported on 12 March 2026, a victim and his family member were allegedly at their shop, when the accused visited them. After the victim could only provide a copy of his passport, he was detained in the police vehicle.
“Furthermore, the accused searched through the shop and stole vape cigarettes. The victim was then transported to the Klerksdorp Police Station and money was demanded from the remaining family member in order to release him. Later the victim was released by the accused after money was handed over to them,” she said.
Myburgh further said the matter was then reported to the ACIU, who established that there was no case reported against the victim. She added that investigations are ongoing and linking the accused to more cases is imminent.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, congratulated the ACIU for their meticulous investigation that led to the arrest of the trio. Naidoo expressed his disapproval for the police’s conduct, which he said is dishonest, a theft of public trust and will not go unpunished.
11 April 2026 – The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Interim Provincial Coordinating Committee (IPCC) in North West has announced the appointment of regional committees to coordinate the revival of its structures across the province in a statement issued on Saturday. SANCO IPCC said that the establishment of the interim regional coordinating committees is aimed at uniting, rebuilding and reorganizing effective civic movement structures.
SANCO provincial convenor, Paul Sebegoe said the unity of the civic movement is sacrosanct for SANCO to reclaim its position as a center of influence as well as its historic mission as the vanguard of our communities to advance community struggles for people driven and community centered development. Sebegoe said they will not allow gatekeeping and factionalism, which have weakened them to characterize the unfolding unity process.
“These key resolutions were adopted by the IPCC in its meeting on 9 April 2026 meeting. For the civic movement to achieve this seemingly mammoth and insurmountable task, it would need to work tirelessly to mobilize its grassroot support for civic activism. We will spare no effort to confront unethical conduct such as corruption, including crime threatening our communities, while contributing practical solutions necessary to address rising unemployment affecting our youth as well as urgently fix service delivery challenges across our municipalities.
“The interim regional structures which were constituted based on constitutional principles as well as considerations such as organizational experience, leadership capacity, commitment to unity, gender, geographic spread, representativity, inclusivity and expertise are expected to launch zonal structures in the next week,” he said.
The Guardian 