Daily Archives: June 12, 2026

Two men nabbed for murder and house robbery

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Picture: Two men arrested for murder and house robbery/Generic

By STAFF REPORTER

12 June 2026 – Two accused, Hendrik Louis Pretorius (59) and Lourance Johannes Benjamin Roos (42) briefly appeared before the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on 11 June 2026, on charges of murder and house robbery. Pretorius and Roos’s court appearance stems from their arrest on 9 June 2026, in connection with the murder of Johan Christian Scheepers, also known as Riana (52).

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said it is alleged that on 25 March 2026, at around 11:20am, the police received a complaint from one of the accused (Pretorius) regarding a murder and house robbery at a residence in Andries Street, adjacent to the N4 road in Swartruggens. Tselanyane said upon arrival at the scene, the police were shown the body of a man lying in a pool of blood with multiple wounds to the upper body.

“All relevant role players were summoned and Scheepers, who was allegedly residing alone, was certified dead at the scene. The police immediately commenced a search for the suspect(s) and followed up on every lead. A few days after the incident, someone allegedly advertised goods resembling those stolen from the deceased’s house on a local business WhatsApp group.

“A contact number and address were not provided in the advertisement. The police were alerted and in May 2026, the same goods were allegedly advertised again using a different contact number and address,” he said.

Tselanyane further said when confronted by the police about the advertisement, Pretorius denied any knowledge of the advertisement on the group. He added that in April 2026, Pretorius again contacted the police and reported a housebreaking and theft at the deceased’s residence.

“With the assistance of National Crime Intelligence and after obtaining a search warrant for Pretorius’s residence, the police recovered a cellphone in which the whereabouts of the alleged murder weapon were discussed. The two suspects were immediately arrested and charged with murder and house robbery.

“Pretorius and Roos were remanded in custody until 17 June 2026, for a formal bail application. Investigation into the matter continues,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded all those involved in the arrest of the suspects for a job well done. Naidoo reiterated that the police in the province will continue striving to ensure that those who believe they can get away with crime are brought to book.

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Monna o atlholetswe botshelo botlhe kwa kgolegelong mabapi le dipetelelo

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

12 June 2026 – Monna wa dingwaga di le 44 yo go begwang fa e le moagi wan aga ya Botswana, Elias Lekganyane, o atlholetswe botshelo botlhe kwa kgolegelong ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Molopo mono Mahikeng mabapi le dipetelelo le go thuba mo ntlung. Go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ile a itatlhela ka letlhabaphefo kwa ntlung nngwe kwa Reviera Park mono Mahikeng mo bosigong fa kgwedi ya Seetebosigo ene e tlhola matsatsi a le 15, ka ngwaga wa 2023.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Ngaka Modiri Molema, Sarasanta Sipho Taliwe are motswasetlhabelo wa dingwaga di le 55, one a robetse fa a utlwa mokgwasa mo ntlung. Taliwe are motswasetlhabelo o ile a tsoga le go ya go lekola gore go diragalang.

“Ka maswabi, o ile a kopana le molatofadiwa. O ile a mo kgema le go mo hapa maoto le matsogo ka thudi. Go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ile a mo betelela, mme morago ga moo, a tsaya dilwana tsa mo ntlung le go di pega mo sejanageng sa motswasetlhabelo.

“Go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ile a boela mo ntlung, mme a betelela motswasetlhabelo lekgetlho la bobedi. Go begwa fa Lekganyane a ile a leka go dumisa sejanaga sa motswasetlhabelo, fela go ile ga pala. Go begwa fa a ile a boela kwa ntlung le go betelela motswasetlhabelo lekgetlho la boraro,” Taliwe wa tlhalosa.

Taliwe are Lekganyane o ile a shupiwa ke motswasetlhabelo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go tshwarweng ga gagwe. Taliwe are Lekganyane o ile a bonwa molato mo ditatofatsong di le thataro go akaretsa dipetelelo di le tharo, go thuba mo ntlung, go tshwara poo ka maitlhomo a go ntsha dikgobalo ga mmogo le go tlola molao wa bofaladi.

“Leina la molatofadiwa le tla tsenngwa mo maineng a batho ba ba golaganngwang le dipetelelo, mme o tlhalositswe fa a sa siamela go tshola tlhobolo,” Taliwe wa tlhalosa.

Re sale foo, mokomishinara wa sedika sa Ngaka Modiri Molema, Major General Deborah Mmolawa, o amogetse katlholo e e neetsweng Lekganyane. Gape Mmolawa o akgotse mmatlisisi wa kgetsi e, ga mmogo le lephata la bosekisi.

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A man burnt beyond recognition  

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Picture: A man found burnt beyond recognition in a vehicle/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

12 June 2026 – The police in Orkney are investigating a case of murder and defeating the ends of justice following an incident wherein a body of a man (71) was found burnt beyond recognition. It is alleged that on 10 June 2026, at around 6am, the police were alerted by mine security about a burnt vehicle at a remote veld behind Shaft No 6 in Orkney.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said upon arrival at the scene, the police discovered a body which was burnt beyond recognition at the back of a panel van. Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation on the vehicle led investigators to an address in Orkney, wherein they could not gain immediate access to the house as it was locked.

“Blood stains were observed on the driveway, leading to the neighbour’s house. Later it was determined that the alleged suspect and deceased are neighbours. Furthermore, the police managed to gain access into the neighbour’s house as it was not locked and a suspected murder weapon and some of the deceased belongings, including a cellular phone were found. 

“A suspect (20) was traced to a local hospital, where he was arrested and placed under police guard,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, condemned this heinous act of crime in the strongest possible terms. Naidoo applauded the police for their swift reaction and promised that the alleged perpetrator will face the full might of the law.

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Ganyesa rapists sentenced to a combined 38 years

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By REGINALD KANYANE

12 June 2026 – The Vryburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) made another breakthrough after three accused were successfully prosecuted and sentenced recently to a combined 38 years imprisonment by the Ganyesa Regional Court. In the first incident, Pako Mahokomabe (29), was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment following a rape case that was reported in Ganyesa on 9 March 2019.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said court heard evidence that at around 11:40pm, the victim (16), went from Tlapeng village to Ellias accompanied by a friend. Tselanyane said whilst at Ellias, she was forcefully taken by the accused to his residence and he raped her twice during the night.

“The following morning, the victim went back to her friend’s home and the matter was reported to the police. Ultimately the suspect was traced and arrested and eventually sentenced. The second incident was reported in Ganyesa on 5 July 2022, at around 8pm.

“The complainant (43) was walking from her uncle’s house at Phaposane village to her home and along the way, she was grabbed by Onkemetse Koos Thembisa (38). Thembisa threatened the victim and ordered her not to make a noise. When the victim screamed for help, he assaulted her,” he said.

Tselanyane further said Thembisa forcefully dragged the victim to an abandoned shop and raped her twice. He added that, after this whole ordeal, the accused then forced the victim to his residential place, where he raped her for the third time.

“In the early hours of the next day, the accused freed the victim, who went home and reported the matter to the police. The accused was traced, arrested and he was released on bail. In 2025, he was again arrested for rape and thereafter bail was denied and he was kept in custody until his sentencing to 18 years imprisonment.

“The last incident was also reported in Ganyesa on 8 March 2024, at around 3am. The victim (17), was walking from a tavern in Tlakgameng village with the accused. As they approached the victim’s home, the accused forced her to walk past her home and, in the process, he also slapped her,” said Tselanyane.

He said the vixtim was then threatened and dragged to Gaarathebe River in the village, where the accused raped her. Tselanyane said the matter was reported to the police and the accused, Baleseng Kakgola (28), was arrested and convicted.

“He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for rape,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the Investigating Officers, Detective Sergeants Tebo Leepile and Mogakolodi Molelekwa, as well as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for the sterling job. Naidoo said that sentences will definitely serve as a warning to those who continue to prey on the vulnerable.

“They will eventually face the consequences of their actions and do time in jail,” he said.

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Lehari denies his involvement in the sale of NTI buses

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari 

By OBAKENG MAJE

12 June 2026 – The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has refuted allegations that he was involved in the sale of North West Transport Investment (NTI) buses. This comes after startling allegations surfaced on various social media platforms alleging that Lehari sold NTI buses, during his tenure as the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management.

Lehari further said he strongly rejected and dismissed unfounded allegations circulating on social media alleging his involvement in the sale of NTI buses. He added that the allegations widely circulated on social media are devoid of truth, malicious and intended to tarnish his reputation and standing in society as a leader and as a Member of Executive (MEC).

“The department that was under my political leadership, exercised oversight over NTI, but did not participate in its day-to-day management or operational affairs. Like all State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs), NTI operates under its own governance structures and statutory mandates.

“The auctions conducted by NTI formed part of its operational responsibilities and were undertaken in accordance with its governance processes. Reports on these auctions were duly submitted to both the Executive Council (EXCO), in its capacity as shareholder representative, and the Portfolio Committee responsible for overseeing the department,” he said.

Lehari said it is important to also emphasise that during the period in question between 2018 to 2022, all departments were under national government, through the invocation of Section 100(1)(b) with administrators sent from national government to the province, as key decision-makers, in the running of the provincial government. He said it is also important to note that NTI has its own executive management board that runs the entity and reports to the administrator sent by the national government.

“It is therefore impractical that an MEC whose department is under administration can issue such an instruction or be involved, as wrongfully alleged. Prior to this malicious accusation, I had already submitted detailed responses, regarding all matters related to NTI to the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management,” said Lehari.

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