Daily Archives: June 7, 2026

Two men killed in separate incidents

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 June 2026 – A man (65) was murdered and two women were seriously injured in Letsopa Township, Ottosdal. The police in Ottosdal responded to a complaint of an alleged fight at approximately 16:40 on 3 June 2026.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said upon arrival at a residence in Letsopa Township, the police discovered three injured individuals inside the house, all suffering from stab wounds. Myburgh said the preliminary investigations revealed that a man (54) allegedly stabbed his mother, sister and brother-in-law during the incident.

“The police on the scene located the suspect nearby, where he allegedly admitted to having assaulted the victims with a knife. The suspect was immediately arrested and the alleged murder weapon, a knife, was seized for further investigation.

“Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) personnel attended the scene and certified Mbuti Klaas Marumagae (65) dead. The two female victims were treated for injuries sustained during the attack and received medical assistance.

“In the meantime, both women have been discharged from hospital. A case of murder has been registered for investigation, while two additional charges for attempted murder and assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) in relation to the injuries sustained by the two women, are also under investigation,” she said.

Myburgh further said the accused, Andries Bode Moremedi, appeared before the Ottosdal Magistrate’s Court on 4 June 2026, where he was remanded in custody until 12 June 2026. She added that in the second, unrelated incident reported in Vryburg, a man (39) was murdered.

“In the second unrelated incident, reported in the early hours of Saturday morning, 6 June 2026, the police in Vryburg were called to a local hospital, where they were shown the body of a man, who passed away after allegedly being stabbed in the upper body with a sharp instrument.

“Initial investigations revealed that the man was allegedly stabbed by his wife following an argument at their residence in Coldrige in Vryburg, leading to her arrest. She is expected to appear before the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on 8 June 2026, on a charge of murder,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, said acts of violence within families and communities remain a serious concern. Naidoo commended the swift response by police, which contributed to the prompt arrests of the suspects. 

“Furthermore, we call on communities to seek peaceful ways of resolving disputes and to report threats or incidents of violence to prevent the escalation of violence. He further emphasised that perpetrators of violent crime will be brought to justice,” he said.

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1900 statutory rape cases abandoned by police

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Picture: Pregnant underage child/Generic

By STAFF REPORTER

7 June 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it remains deeply concerned that a national crisis of child pregnancies and statutory rape is not being addressed by the relevant actors in government. The DA said just this week statistics presented in Parliament showed that 1 900 cases of statutory rape were abandoned by police and prosecutors since 2021.

DA Member of Parliament (MP) and spokesperson on Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Angel Khanyile said they will escalate the child pregnancy failures of the government to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Khanyile said the DA will not accept that young girls are being raped and sexually abused in silence, are carrying children and the system is failing them at every step.

“Police, Health, Justice and Social Development are all grossly in dereliction of their duty. The DA will now file a comprehensive complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission to address the violation of human rights of young girls who are raped and made to carry children without legal consequences for their rapists.

“The DA’s dossier will be populated with shocking findings uncovered by the DA showing systemic failure by numerous actors in government to report, track, investigate and prosecute suspected sexual abuse against children,” she said.

Khanyile further said last year, the DA established an internal Task Team working on the DA’s fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including the sexual abuse and rape of children. She added that the DA’s Task Team launched a national investigation, where questions were submitted to national Ministers and Provincial departments to determine the extent of child pregnancy and whether these departments are reporting these to the relevant authorities as in some cases, a child being pregnant is prima facie evidence of a serious crime.

“What the DA uncovered should shock every South African. We believe that the fundamental constitutional rights of a child to dignity and to be protected from abuse are being violated by flawed systems that are working in silos.

“Ahead of opening the SAHRC complaint, we are finalising our papers to request that the SAHRC investigate these failures urgently and thoroughly, identify solutions, and make recommendations (both punitive and remedial),” said Khanyile.

She said the key issues found during our investigation were that, the Department of Health revealed that of the 122 302 adolescents that gave birth in 2023/24, some 2 716 were between 10 and 14 years old. Khanyile said the South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed that just 610 statutory rape cases were reported in 2023/24, with 39.5% of victims being 15 years old, 30.77% being 14 years old, and 20.66% being 13 years old.

“SAPS further revealed that in 2023/24, there were just 129 child births, 138 child pregnancies, and 27 child miscarriages/terminations reported for a whole year, for criminal investigation.

“Between 2021/22 and 2024/25, the NPA decided to enrol a total of 2 845 cases and successfully prosecuted 980 cases, closed 2 166 without result and unsuccessfully prosecuted 180 cases. In 2024, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development reported 0 (nil) cases of statutory rape to SAPS,” she said.

Khanyile said, however, in that same period KZN DSD had received 2185 form 22 complaints – 55 from DoH and 1 157 from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and members of the public. She said in Mpumalanga, between 2020/21 and 2024/25, 65 087 children aged 10-19 years gave birth in Mpumalanga health facilities, of which 1 824 were aged 14 years or younger.

“Yet in 2022/23, just four cases of child births, terminations or miscarriages, or pregnancies were reported to Mpumalanga DSD. In 2023/24, just two cases were reported and in 2024/25, just five cases were reported. The numbers simply do not add up and departments are working in silos, failing to comply with statutory reporting requirements, indicating a catastrophic failure in data management and sharing.

“Our children deserve to be protected, and at the very least, the systems in place to protect children should work,” said Khanyile.

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Operation Shanela II aims to reduce contact and violent crimes in JTG

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Picture: The police conduct stops and search/Supplied   

By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 June 2026 – During a day two of the execution of Operation Shanela II, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, continued with intelligence-driven operations in Kuruman on 5 June 2026, accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Johnny Besnaar and members from various SAPS stations, JTG District offices, Provincial units and external stakeholders. Otola said simultaneous roadblocks and Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) were conducted, resulting in 461 vehicles and 613 persons being stopped and searched.

“Traffic fines amounting to R12 000 were issued for various contraventions of road traffic regulations. Teams conducted targeted disruptive actions in Kuruman and surrounding villages, which resulted in the closure of several shebeens and the confiscation of large volumes of alcoholic beverages.

“During the joint multi-disciplinary operation, Home Affairs Immigration Services arrested eight foreign nationals, aged between 37 and 48 years, for contravention of the Immigration Act. The police further conducted foot and vehicle patrols in the Kuruman Central Business District (CBD) to enhance visibility and ensure the safety and security of communities,” she said.

Otola further said she will continue with these operations across the five districts of the province. She added that the operations are focused on reducing contact and violent crimes in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District through strengthened collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and community partners.

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Northern Cape police in conjunction with CPFs combat crime 

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Picture: Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 June 2026 – Following the successful Operation Shanela II operations conducted in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, continued her crime-fighting efforts in the ZF Mgcawu District, where she led a series of disruptive actions aimed at combating criminality. Otola was accompanied by the District Commissioner of ZF Mgcawu, Major General Monica Sebili, members of the Community Policing Forum, Community in Blue, and members from surrounding police stations and specialised units in the greater Upington area.

She further said the operations included visits to taxi ranks, stop-and-search actions and high-visibility patrols. Otola added that compliance inspections were also conducted at formal and informal businesses, salons and food outlets.

“Officials from the Department of Home Affairs assisted police by verifying the immigration status of individuals found at these establishments. In addition, we hosted a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) awareness campaign at the Thembelihle Hall in Paballelo, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging communities to take a stand against GBV.

“Intelligence-driven operations led by senior management will continue unabated across the province to restore stability and intensify efforts to combat criminal activities,” she said.

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841 suspects nabbed for various crimes

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Picture: Some of dagga confiscated by the police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

7 June 2026 – Senior officers together with community structures and government departments in the Northern Cape ramped up crime combating initiatives by leading an aggressive stance on crime across all five districts. The zero tolerance against crime resulted in the arrest of 841 individuals in the Northern Cape during weeklong operations that commenced on 1 until 7 June 2026.  

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General, Johnny Besnaar, bolstered efforts in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District before proceeding to the ZF Mgcawu District. Ehlers said during the operation, numerous premises were searched, while a total of 14 414 individuals and 6 797 vehicles were also searched.

“Detectives conducted tracing operations that yielded the arrest of several wanted suspects who had been evading law enforcement and court appearances for various offences. Operational actions included stop-and-search actions, high-visibility patrols, vehicle checkpoints (VCPs) and roadblocks.

“Furthermore, compliance inspections with relevant authorities were carried out at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, recycling facilities, firearm dealerships, informal businesses, including tuck shops, hair salons and food outlets to ensure adherence to relevant legislation,” she said.

Ehlers further said as a result, 56 unlicensed liquor outlets were shut down due to non-compliance and violation of various regulations. She added that officials from the Department of Home Affairs were also present to verify the immigration status of individuals.

“In total, 841 suspects were arrested for offences linked to drug-related crimes, illegal liquor trading, property related crimes, murder, rape, attempted murder, and assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH).

“Large quantities of alcohol and drugs as well as dangerous weapons, and copper cable were confiscated during the stop and search actions. Additionally, several community outreach programmes and awareness campaigns were held to promote youth month,” said Ehlers. 

She said child protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBH) were the prevalent focus areas. Ehlers said the Northern Cape SAPS remains steadfast and unwavering in its commitment to creating a safer environment.

“Law enforcement agencies will continue to close in on criminals, leaving no room for lawlessness to thrive. Communities can be assured that operations will remain intensified to safeguard lives and property,” she said.

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Four suspects nabbed during drug busts in Schweizer Reneke

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Picture: Four suspects nabbed for dealing in drugs

By STAFF REPORTER

7 June 2026 – Four suspects including three Nigerian nationals, are expected to appear before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 8 June 2026, following two separate drug-related arrests carried out by police this week. According to the information, the first arrest was made on 4 June 2026, after the police received information about suspected drug dealing activities in Schweizer Reneke.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the police obtained a search warrant and proceeded to an address in Van Wyk Street. Myburgh said, however, the suspects were located at the local taxi rank.

“They were escorted back to the property, while the officers conducted a search. During the operation, police allegedly discovered a variety of drugs such as mandrax, dagga and crystal meth. The police also seized dangerous weapons and metal items, including pieces of copper cable.

“A South African man (29) and a Nigerian national (35) were arrested at the scene. The police said preliminary investigations confirmed that the Nigerian suspect is legally in South Africa. In a separate incident on Saturday evening, 6 June, members conducting Operation Shanela stopped and searched a silver Hyundai in Impala Street,” she said.

Myburgh further said during the search, police allegedly found crystal meth concealed beneath the front passenger seat. Two Nigerian men aged 32 and 38, were immediately arrested. She added that the driver of the vehicle also faces an additional charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

“The arrests come after ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking and related crimes in the Mamusa area,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the latest arrests follow growing community pressure for tougher action against drug dealers. Last week, community members, the Ipelegeng Community Patrollers, the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), gathered outside the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court in support of anti-drug initiatives when four other suspects appeared on similar charges.

These accused, Sello Lekgetho and Kgotla Ditira, as well as Nigerian nationals, Aloysious Ukokwa and Israel Ugwazi are facing charges relating to the possession of and dealing in drugs. The two Nigerian nationals remain in custody and are awaiting a bail ruling later this month on 23 June 2026.

Lekgetho and Ditira will make another court appearance on Monday and Tuesday.

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RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 June 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening address the nation on the government’s management approach to illegal migration and the recent surge in protests against foreign nationals. Ramaphosa will address the nation at Union Buildings, Pretoria on 7 June 2026 at 6pm.

SABC will provide a feed to all media and @PresidencyZA will live stream proceedings on various digital platforms.

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