Monthly Archives: April 2026

Motorists urged to buckle-up ahead of Easter Holiday

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Picture: Law enforcement agencies during the launch of Easter Road Safety Arrive Alive campaign in Hopetown/Supplied   

By BAKANG MOKOTO

1April 2026 – The acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi together with the Pixley Ka Seme District Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, joined the Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi at the launch of the 2026 Easter Road Safety Arrive Alive campaign in Hopetown, in Pixley Ka Seme District on 31 March 2026.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said a multi-disciplinary parade was conducted and addressed by Koloi. Shemane said the representatives from the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Traffic Officials, SAPS, Thembelihle Local Municipality and various Taxi Associations, Entities and Stakeholders, attended the official programme at the Steynville Primary School in Hopetown prior to the roadblock.

“The purpose of the event was outlined by Rodney Pieterse, the Head of Department for Transport, Safety and Liaison. Pieterse emphasised the theme of the launch: “Road Safety Begins With Me”.

Mphuthi informed participants and stakeholders that SAPS is aware that the easter period is usually coupled with road accidents and carnage. She further said law enforcement agencies will be out in full force during these peak times when there is an increase in the volume of traffic on the roads, prioritising road safety.

“The SAPS will intensify and strengthen police visibility that is already existing. This is ongoing efforts during the Easter holidays and beyond.

“SAPS urge all road users to plan their journeys responsibly, avoid drinking and driving, obey traffic laws, and prioritize safety,” said Mphuthi.

She said in line with the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, SAPS will maintain a zero-tolerance approach to lawlessness on the roads. Mphuthi added that SAPS encourages all road users to take personal responsibility for their safety, buckle up and avoid dangerous overtaking.

“If we reflect on the theme for the 2026 Easter Season Road Safety Campaign: “Road Safety Begins With Me”, it places emphasis on personal accountability for road safety, aiming to reduce fatalities by encouraging every driver, passenger and pedestrian to take responsibility for themselves.

“The Safer Easter Holidays operation, known as Operation Paseka is running parallel to Operation Shanela 2 and it commenced on 15 March 2026 until 15 April 2026, focusing on the safety and security of all citizens including those utilizing our roads,” she said.

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Two suspects nabbed for dealing in drugs

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Picture: Drugs and money confiscated during raids/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI  

1 April 2026 – The Namakwa District Task Team in collaboration with the Springbok Public Order Policing (POP) Unit made two drug-related arrests in Nababeep on 28 March 2026, as part of Operation Paseka – Safer Easter Holidays. In the first incident at approximately 11:10pm, the police executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence in Bostreet, Nababeep.

The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said upon arrival, the male occupant (38) was observed discarding a white tablet container in his backyard. Magerman said the container was recovered and found to contain ziplock bags of suspected tik and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime was also found.

“Subsequently, a suspect was arrested for dealing in drugs. In the second unrelated incident at approximately 11:45pm, the police conducting crime prevention patrols in Vredehoek also in Nababeep, observed a man fleeing upon sighting the police vehicle.

“During the pursuit, the suspect (23) discarded an item, which was recovered and found to contain ziplock bags of suspected tik. During the search, the money was also seized,” he said.

Magerman further said a suspect was arrested for dealing in drugs. He added that both suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, the SAPS in the Namakwa District said it has reaffirmed their commitment in stamping down the authority of the state by adopting a zero-tolerance approach and not negotiating with any criminal. The police said Operation Safer Easter Holidays will continue with heightened patrols and targeted disruptive actions.

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Two men sentenced to a combined 20 years imprisonment for stealing groceries and clothes in separate cases   

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By REGINALD KANYANE

1 April 2026 – A man (35) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Victoria-West Regional Court for housebreaking and theft. The accused, Chrisjan Loof was sentenced after clothes and groceries worth R12 470 were found in his possession.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said the complainant and his colleague on 13 February 2026, returned from work when they discovered their premises was broken into. Shemane said Loof was found hiding inside the house with groceries and clothes of the complainant packed in his travelling bag.

“The police were summoned and a case was opened. The accused was then arrested. Bail was denied and Loof remained in custody until his conviction and sentencing.

“In an unrelated housebreaking and theft case, also in Victoria-West, on 7 March 2026, the complainant found his premises broken into and entry gained through the window,” he said.

Shemane further said the neighbour saw the accused roaming around in the vicinity. He added that the complainant reported the incident to the police, a case was opened and the accused was traced and arrested.

“In his possession, the police found the stolen property, groceries worth R991.78, which belonged to the complainant. The accused abandoned his bail application and remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.

“On 26 March 2026, Marius Frieslaar (42) was convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment for housebreaking and theft in the Victoria-West Regional Court,” said Shemane.

Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended Detective Sergeant Mojalefa Mokitimi for his thorough investigative work which resulted in the accused being incarcerated for their crimes and appreciated the quick finalization of the cases within a short period of time.

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Newly-elected ANCYL in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region calls for inclusivity

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Picture: The newly-elected ANCYL in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

1 April 2026 – The newly-elected ANCYL regional leadership in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region said the 6th ANCYL Regional Congress outlined guidance on the significance of strengthening and building capacity amongst youth by emphasising the importance of political education and academic excellence. The structure said inclusion of youth in all corridors of developments is the answer towards a total transformation of society.

ANCYL regional secretary, Kagiso Kgabo said they have declared a war on the triple challenges such as unemployment, poverty and inequality. Kgabo said a fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) must continue and each young person be an ‘agent of change’.

“They must be prepared to stand against all odds, fight drug abuse, crime and discrimination that are institutionalized due to cliques.

“We also recommend that the ANC renewal project be led by extraordinary individuals with moral ethics and inspiration to our communities. Therefore, we endorse the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong as a potential candidate to serve the ANC in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region as regional chairperson,” he said.

Kgabo further said they also endorse Tshidi Moreane for regional secretary position. He added that additional members should be him, Thabo Ngono and Lebogang Medupe.

“The name of Lazarus Mokgosi should be supported for the position of ANC provincial chair to avoid two centred of power, which derails the implementation of our manifesto and progression of service delivery.

“We call on Mokgosi to be supported in the quest of uniting the province. The congress further reflected on the Mocha-Palong programme as a critical intervention of the ANCYL

aimed ensuring the meaningful placement of young people in positions of responsibility within government and local municipalities,” said Kgabo.

He said while acknowledging that the programme has experienced its own shortcomings and challenges in implementation, they reaffirm that Mocha-Palong remains a strategic and necessary initiative in advancing generational missions.

“It must not be reduced to a vehicle for patronage or self-enrichment, but rather be strengthened to produce disciplined, capable and ideologically grounded cadres of the movement.

“These young cadres must possess both the capacity and revolutionary consciousness to lead with integrity, drive service delivery, and fundamentally improve the living conditions of our communities,” said Kgabo.

He said the ANCYL therefore commits to ensuring that the programme is sophisticated, monitored and aligned with the core values of the movement. Kgabo said this will ensure that it truly serves the people and not narrow interests for individuals.

“ANCYL declares support for all young people to contribute to local government with maximum requirements necessary. We believe that the upcoming Local Government Election outcomes in the region will reflect the inclusion of youth in all municipalities.

“We want capable and qualified young people to form partof municipal Troika in three municipalities  out of 5. We are calling for an integrated path. Young people are a better solution to our existing societal problems,” he said.

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