Picture: The NWU’s Dale Beighle Animal Health Centre features modern facilities that support animal healthcare practical student training and veterinary services for surrounding communities/Supplied 

By PHENYO MOKGOTHU  

20 July 2026 – For many farmers and animal owners in the North West Province, access to animal healthcare can determine the health of their livestock, household income and food security. At the North West University (NWU), the Dale Beighle Animal Health Centre has become a link between academic training and community service, providing animal healthcare, while preparing graduates to serve South Africa’s agricultural sector.

Located on the Mahikeng campus, the centre provides vaccinations, surgeries, diagnostic services, disease prevention programmes and animal health outreach to surrounding communities. It also serves as a practical training facility, where animal health students gain experience before entering the workplace.

NWU’s Director of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Prof Simon Letsoalo, said these services have made the Dale Beighle Animal Health Centre a strategic community resource. Letsoalo said it strengthens livestock productivity, improves companion animal welfare, enhances public health and supports sustainable agricultural development across the North West.

He further said the centre provides primary animal healthcare to communities that have limited access to veterinary services. Letsoalo added that beyond treating livestock and companion animals, its work includes disease surveillance, vaccination campaigns, parasite control, reproductive support, nutrition guidance and biosecurity advice for farmers.

“These services help reduce disease outbreaks, while supporting livestock production and rural livelihoods. Its work also contributes to public health by monitoring diseases that can spread between animals and people such as rabies and ringworm.

“This supports the one health approach, which recognises the connection between animal, human and environmental health. Healthy livestock translate directly into improved household income, food security and rural livelihoods, making the centre an important contributor to agricultural development in the province. The centre also plays a leading role in training animal health technicians,” he said.

Letsoalo said students receive practical exposure through clinical diagnosis, surgery, laboratory diagnostics, farm consultations, disease investigations and community outreach. He said the experience prepares graduates to work in government veterinary services, research institutions, the livestock industry and private practice after graduation.

“This practical training responds to South Africa’s need for skilled animal health professionals, particularly in rural and agricultural communities. Students graduate work-ready because they have already gained practical experience in diagnosing diseases, handling animals, conducting farm visits and working directly with livestock owners,” said Letsoalo.

He said this strengthens veterinary capacity, while improving services available to communities. Letsoalo said community engagement remains part of the centre’s work.

“Staff and students participate in vaccination campaigns, deworming programmes, sterilisation initiatives, animal welfare awareness campaigns and farmer education workshops. These activities extend services beyond the university campus while strengthening relationships with surrounding communities.

“Looking ahead, the university plans to strengthen animal health sciences through expanded clinical services, research and community engagement,” he said.

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Ka BAKANG MOKOTO

20 Phukwi 2026 – Monna wa dingwaga di le 45 o kolopetswe dingwaga di le 15 kwa ntlo-lefitshwana ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Madikwe mabapi le ditatofatso tsa maiteko a polao ya lesea la gagwe la dikgwedi di le 10. Go begwa fa go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano ya mafoko magareng ga rragwe lesea le, le mmagwe kwa motseng wa Tlokweng, gaufi le Madikwe fa kgwedi ya Ferikgong e ne e tlhola matsatsi a le 4 ka ngwaga wa 2024.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, monna o, o ile a tsaya lesea le mme a le latlhela fa fatshe ka motsi wa kgakgauthano. Myburgh are mmagwe lekgarebe le, one a ntewa ka thobane ke rragwe lesea fa a ne a leka go tsereganya le go sireletsa lesea le.

“Le fa lesea le sa tswa dikgobalo ka motsi o, maiteko a ga rragwe a ne a bontsha a le kotsi. Ke ka moo a ile a bulelwa kgetsi ya maiteko a polao. Go begwa fa mosadimogolo (69) o, a ile a itemogela go robega ga matsogo a le mabedi morago ga se.

“Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a tshwarwa morago ga matsatsi a le mabedi. Monna o, ga ipona molato mo ditatofatsong tsotlhe di le pedi, fela bosekisi bo ile jwa neelana ka bopaki jo bo tseneletseng kgatlhanong le ene,” Myburgh wa tlhalosa.

Myburgh are monna o, o kailwe fa a sa tshwanelwa ke go tsholo sethunya. Myburgh are gape monna o, o ile a atlholelwa dingwaga di le supa mabapi le go teketa mosadimogolo ka maikaelelo a go ntsha dikgobalo.

Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa sepodisi wa nama-o-sa-tshwere mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, o akgotse mmatlisisi wa kgetsi e, Detective Sergeant McDonald Mosekwane go tswa kwa kantorong ya babatlisisi kwa Madikwe. Gape, Naidoo o akgotse mosekisi Advocate Zola Mpayipheli ga mmogo le batsaya karolo botlhe.

“Se, se tla romela molaetsa o gagametseng go botlhe ba ba diragang bosenyi kgatlhanong le bana le basadi,” Naidoo wa tlhalosa.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

20 July 2026 – A man (43) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for by the Madikwe Regional Court for rape. The court heard evidence that a victim (32) went to a nearby tavern and was approached by the accused, David Disemelo while on her way home on Friday evening, 7 February 2020.

The North West police spokesperson, Constable Thuto Bobelo said Disemelo strangled and raped the victim on a public road before fleeing the scene. Bobelo said the matter was reported to the police who managed to trace and arrest him after the incident.

“Disemelo was found guilty of rape and sentenced to ten years direct imprisonment by the Madikwe Regional Court on 17 July 2026. In another incident, Tshepo Puna Ndlovu (37) was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Regional Court for attempted rape.

“Evidence presented before court revealed that a victim (43) hosted her boyfriend and Ndlovu at her house in Tlhabane Township, near Rustenburg on 8 March 2025. After the departure of her boyfriend, Ndlovu stayed longer and suggested to have sex with the victim,” he said.

Bobelo further said upon her resistance, Ndlovu assaulted her with fists and the neighbours came to the rescue after hearing cries for help by the victim. He added that the matter was reported to the police and Ndlovu was arrested shortly after the incident.

“Ndlovu was denied bail and remanded in custody until his conviction on 15 July 2026,” said Bobelo.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, thanked the Investigating Officers, Sergeant Taolo Makgotlho and Constable Dikeke Mokebe, as well as the prosecution team for their cooperation and diligence in securing the sentences. Naidoo warned that all perpetrators will face the full might of the law.

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