Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi
By BAKANG MOKOTO
15 July 2026 – In an effort to accelerate housing delivery in the province, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi will on 16 July 2026, unveil two housing projects worth over R62 million in THE Greater Taung and Naledi Local municipalities in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. Molapisi will introduce the two contractors appointed to implement these projects to the councillors in both the municipalities.
He further said the Ditshilong housing project in the Greater Taung Local Municipality will deliver 216 housing units, while the Geduldspan project in the Naledi Local Municipality will deliver 40 new housing units and the completion of 69 units which were left incomplete by the previous contractor. Molapisis added that both projects, valued at R62 million are expected to be completed by the end of the 2026/2027 financial year.
Molapisi will be accompanied by the Mayor of Greater Taung Local Municipality, Itumeleng Maribe, Mayor of Naledi Local Municipality, Cllr Clifton Groep and Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane of Batlhaping Baga Phuduhucwana in Taung.
Part A of the event will take place at Batlhaping ba ga Phuduhutswana Community Hall in Taung on 16 July 2026 at 11am, while Part B of the programme will take place at Naledi Local Municipality Council Chamber in Vryburg at 3pm.
Picture: North West Social Development HOD, Peggy Mhlongo-Kgaboesele (middle) presents material support and equipment to youth owned small businesses in Motswedi village, near Zeerust
By AGISANANG SCUFF
15 July 2026 – The North West Department of Social Development has taken a significant step towards promoting youth economic empowerment by providing business equipment and material support to unemployed young entrepreneurs in Motswedi village, near Zeerust. The initiative forms part of the department’s ongoing efforts to address youth unemployment, promote entrepreneurship, and stimulate local economic development by equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools they need to advance their small businesses.
Addressing the beneficiaries during the handover ceremony, the Head of Department (HOD) of North West Department of Social Development, Peggy Mhlongo-Kgaboesele, encouraged the beneficiaries to use the equipment responsibly and remain committed to building successful businesses that will contribute to the growth of the local economy. Mhlongo-Kgaboesele said most of the beneficiaries, who received a range of equipment tailored to their respective business have been receiving cooked meals from Bopang Motho community project.
She further said Bopang Motho loosely translated as ‘moulding a person,’ is a community organisation that was established in 2021 to provide cooked meals to individuals and families facing hunger and starvation. Mhlongo-Kgaboesele added that it also provides skills to unemployed young people to enable them to become change agents in their own families.
“As part of the exit strategy, the department bought them equipment for car washing business, catering and beautification. The materials and equipment will enable them to provide services, generate income, and create employment opportunities within their communities.
“This support is an investment in the future of our young people. We believe that by providing the necessary resources and opportunities, we are empowering youth to become job creators rather than job seekers,” she said.
Mhlongo-Kgaboesele said most people think that becoming an entrepreneur requires a big idea and substantial capital, yet that is not always the case. She said small businesses are proving to be a powerful way to revive rural economies and at the same time beat unemployment by creating much-needed jobs.
“The beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the support, noting that the equipment will help them overcome financial barriers that often prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from starting or growing their businesses.
“Twelve other young people received training on plant production and painting from an accredited SETA. The department remains committed to implementing programmes that empower young people, support small businesses and create sustainable livelihoods,” said Mhlongo-Kgaboesele.
She said through partnerships and targeted interventions, the department will continue to invest in initiatives that unlock economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents.
One of the beneficiaries, Tebogo Daniel said he is grateful to receive catering equipment from the department. Daniel started selling food at the post office in 2025 and has hired two unemployed youth.
Another beneficiary, Bopang Khutswane used his R370 social relief of distress grant to open a car wash. Khutswane said his car wash grew bit by bit until he established a structure to wash cars.
“Now that I have received some equipment including a jojo tank, I am looking forward to expanding the business by hiring more unemployed young people,” he said.
Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua
By BAKANG MOKOTO
10 July 2026- The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua, has 9 July 2026, officially turned the sod and introduced the contractor for the upgrading of the 17km Dwarsberg–Mankaipaya road in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, marking the beginning of a major infrastructure investment aimed at improving mobility, stimulating economic activity and creating jobs. The R331.7 million multi-year project will see the upgrading of the D506, Z559 and Z539 roads from Dwarsberg to Mankaipaya over an 18-month construction period, with work anticipated to commence in August 2026.
Mokua said the project also includes the construction of bridges, approximately 7km of re-gravelling, segmented paving block surfacing, drainage improvements and other road safety infrastructure. Implemented by TIG Construction (Pty) Ltd, she said the project forms Phase 1A of the broader corridor development programme and is expected to significantly improve access between communities while strengthening one of the province’s strategic transport routes.
“The project will also deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to surrounding communities. A minimum of 30% of the contract value has been earmarked for local SMMEs and subcontracting opportunities, while 120 work opportunities will be created for locals during construction.
“The programme further provides technical and generic skills training, including practical workplace experience for civil engineering students,” said Mokua.
She further said the project demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that infrastructure investment translates into meaningful opportunities for communities. Mokua added that infrastructure is more than asphalt and bridges.
“It is an investment in people, economic growth and dignity. Through this project, we are connecting communities to opportunities, creating sustainable employment and empowering local businesses to participate meaningfully in the provincial economy.
“We further call the community to safeguard the project and work with the contractor to ensure its successful completion within the scheduled timeframe,” she said.
10 July 2026 – Two suspects were arrested in separate drug-related incidents by the Members of Charlie Platoon of the Public Order Police (POP) in the Namakwa District during a 12-hour deployment in the Springbok policing area. During the operation, the police stopped and searched a man at a hitchhiking spot in Okiep.
Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Irvin Captain Magerman, said suspected mandrax tablets were found in his possession, leading to his arrest. Magerman said in the early hours of 9 July 2026, the police acted on a tip-off regarding a vehicle allegedly linked to the transportation of drugs.
“Observation points were established around a local fuel station and along the N14 in anticipation of a bus expected to arrive in Springbok. Shortly after 3:30am, when the bus arrived, the police approached the driver of the identified vehicle and with his consent, conducted a search.
“A backpack found on the rear seat contained suspected drugs. A man (58) was arrested at the scene for drug trafficking,” he said.
Magerman further said the police confiscated a substantial amount of suspected mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of approximately R6000, as well as suspected methamphetamine (tik) with an estimated street value of R73 332.50. He added that the suspect briefly appeared in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on 9 July 2026.
Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended the police for their vigilance and acknowledged the valuable cooperation received from the community. Andrews reiterated that the SAPS remains committed to combating drug-related crime and warned that those involved in the illegal drug trade will face the full might of the law.
Setshwantsho: Nama ya kgomo e go belaelwang e utswitswe
Ka KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
10 Phukwi 2026 – Kgetsi kgatlhanong le banna ba le bararo ba dingwaga di le 21 le 42, e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Vryburg ka Laboraro. Se, se tla morago ga gore banna ba, ba tshwarwe ke batlhankela ba sepodisi ba lekala la K9 la kwa Vryburg mabapi le go tshola nama e go belaelwang fa e utswilwe.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adele Myburgh, banna ba, ba ne ba emisiwa ke sepodisi kwa tselakgolo ya N18 magareng ga motse wa Dryharts le motsesetoropo wa Huhudi, kwa Vryburg. Myburgh are sepodisi se ile sa amogela tshedimosetso ya gore banna bangwe ba ba kgweetsang sejanaga sa modiro wa Uno Fiat ba pegile nama ya kgomo mo sejanageng sa bone, mme ba lebile kwa Vryburg.
“Batlhankela ba sepodisi ba ile ba tsiboga ka bonako, mme ba emisa sejanaga seo. Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba shadikanya matlho fa ba bodiwa gore ba tsaya kae nama e kana-kana. Seo, se ile sa lebisa kwa go tshwarweng ga bone.
“Ba tlhageletse ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Vryburg mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go tshola nama e go belaelwang e ka tswa e utswitswe. Dipatlisiso tse di tseneletseng, di shupa fa go tlhabilwe dikgomo di le pedi kwa motsesetoropong wa Pudimoe mono Taung, ntle le kitso ya mong wa tsone,” Myburgh wa tlhalosa.
Myburgh are dipatlisiso di tsweletse le go bona gore a ka gongwe kgetsi e, e ka se amane le ya kwa Pudimoe.
Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa nakwana mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, o akgotse batlhankela ba sepodisi ka go tsiboga ka bonako. Naidoo are sepodisi se ikanne go lwa kgatlhanong le bogodu jwa leruo, mme ba tlile go dirisa lephata la bone la botlhodi go dira se.
“Re rotloetsa baagi go tswelela go itsise sepodisi mabapi le ditiragalo dingwe le dingwe tsa bosenyi. Tirisano mmogo magareng ga baagi le sepodisi e tshameka karolo e kgolo mo go rebeng bosenyi, mme seo se tlile go dira gore baagi ba sireletsege,” Naidoo wa tlhalosa.
10 Phukwi 2026 – Mosadi wa dingwaga di le 40 o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Mmabatho mo letsatsing la gompieno mabapi le ditatofatso tsa polao le maiteko a polao. Go begwa fa mosadi o, a ile a tlhaba le go bolaya lekgarebe (36) la monna (43) wa gagwe ka thiba le go tlogela monna o, ka dikgobalo tse di masisi.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa sedikeng sa Ngaka Modiri Molema, Sarasanta Sipho Taliwe are go begwa fa monna wa mosadi o, a ile a tla le lekgarebe kwa lefelong la bone la bonno kwa motseng wa Ikopeleng, gaufi le Ramatlabama kwa Mahikeng ka masa a 7 Phukwi 2026. Taliwe are go begwa fa bana ba le babedi ba monna o, ba ne ba le teng mo ntlung fa tse tsotlhe di direga.
“Go begwa fa ba ile ba letsetsa mmabone le go mo itsise fa rrabone a tlile le lekgarebe. Go begwa fa mosadi o, a sa dule kgakajana le ba lelapa la gagwe. Go begwa fa seo se ile sa tshakgatsa mosadi o, mme a tla a tshotse thipa.
“Go begwa fa mosadi o, a ile a fetela kwa phaphosing ya borobalo kwa a fitlhetseng monna wa gagwe le lekgarebe le ba robetse. Go begwa fa a ile a tsatsanka lekgarebe le ka thipa le go tlhasela monna wa gagwe,” Taliwe wa tlhalosa.
Taliwe are go begwa fa lekgarebe le, le ile la leka go tshaba, mme a wela kwa ntlenyana ga ntlo kwa mmileng kwa a tlhokafaletseng gone. Taliwe are go begwa fa monna wa mosadi o, a ne a rwalelwa kwa bookelong go bona thuso ya potlako.
“Sepodisi se ne sa bidiwa le go tshwara mosadi o. O solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo mabapi le ditatofatso tsa polao le maiteko a polao,” Taliwe wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa nama o sa tshwere wa sedika sa Ngaka Modiri Molema, Brigadier (Adv) Bigboy Dube o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e, mme o akgotse sepodisi ka go tshwara mmelaelwa. Dube o ikuela go baagi go rarabolola mathata a bone ka kagiso ntle le dikgogakgogano.
10 Phukwi 2026 – Lepodisi la mono Taung le le faraferweng ke mathata, Konstabole Nicolas Motlhankane (29), o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung fa kgwedi ya Ngwanatsele a tlhola matsatsi a le 30, mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go kgwetsa a itshietse. Motlhankane gape o lebagane le kgetsi ya go utswa leruo.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adele Myburgh are gape sepodisi se ile sa tsenya kopo ya go ya go puruputsha lefelo-bonno la ga Motlhankane kwa Extension 7, mono Taung fa kgwedi ya Seetebosigo e ne e tlhola matsatsi a le 15, mo motshegareng. Myburgh are se, se tla morago ga gore sepodisi se amogele tshedimosetso ya gore go na le didokete tsa sepodisi kwa lefelo-bonno la ga Motlhankane.
“Sepodisi se fitlheletse dokete e le nngwe kwa lefelo-bonno jo, mme kgetsi kgatlhanong le Motlhankane e isitswe kwa lephateng la bosekisi go ka e sekaseka le go tsaya tshwetso ya go mo sekisa kgotsa jang.
“Motlhankane one a na le mopalami wa motho wa mme fa a ne a tshwarelwa go kgweetsa o itshietse. Sejanaga se a neng a tsamaya ka sone ga se amege mo bosenying bope go fitlha ga jaana,” Myburgh wa tlhalosa.
July 2026 – The police in Mmakau are investigating cases of ATM bombing, murder and attempted murder following an incident that occurred outside a local pub, which was closed for business during the early hours of Wednesday, 8 July 2026. At approximately 1:50am, the police received a tip-off about an ATM bombing in progress at the premises.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said upon arrival, the police found two security guards aged 62 and 51, at the scene. Myburgh said a security guard (62) was declared dead at the scene by Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS), while a 51-year-old security guard was rushed to a local hospital, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries.
“The preliminary investigations revealed that the ATM was allegedly damaged by an explosion. However, the suspects were unsuccessful in accessing the cash. It is alleged that the security guards responded to the incident and were shot at by the suspects. Further investigations indicate that six unknown suspects, wearing balaclavas and face masks and armed with firearms, fled the scene on foot after the incident.
“No arrests have been made at this stage, and police investigations are continuing. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is urged to contact Warrant Officer Thomas Kgalegi on 079 490 9353, the nearest police station or the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111,” she said.
Myburgh further said anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted via the MySAPS App. She said all information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Picture: A man arrested during Operation Shanela II/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
9 July 2026 – The police in the North West continue to conduct unannounced Operation Shanela 2, focusing on the apprehension of illegal migrants, high-density patrols and compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers and liquor outlets. On Wednesday evening, 8 July 2026, a multi-disciplinary team comprising the Potchefstroom Police Station, Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Potchefstroom Crime Prevention Unit, Public Order Policing (POP), Provincial Corporate Communication and Liaison Services and the Department of Home Affairs, conducted operations at identified crime hotspots within the Potchefstroom Central Business District (CBD).
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the operation resulted in the apprehension of 21 illegal migrants, mostly Malawian citizens, who were charged with contravening the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002). Myburgh said in addition, a man (27) was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
“He will appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on 10 July 2026,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the police and all stakeholders involved for their commitment and coordinated efforts. Naidoo said Operation Shanela 2 remains one of the key crimes combatting initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing criminality through high police visibility and intelligence driven operations.
“The police will continue to work closely with other law enforcement partners to enforce the law without fear or favour, strengthen the authority of the state and ensure that those who violate the Law are brought to justice.
“We request communities to continue working with the police by reporting criminal activities,” he said.
Picture: Unbranded cattle seized during acution/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
9 July 2026 – The police in Ngaka Modiri Molema District are appealing to members of the farming community and livestock owners in and around Lichtenburg, Sannieshof and neighbouring villages to come forward if they have lost cattle, but did not report the matter to the police. During ongoing investigations into stock theft-related cases and enquiries, the police recovered a number of cattle that are currently being kept at the Lichtenburg Animal Pound.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said unfortunately, the animals do not have identifiable brand markings, making it difficult to determine their rightful owners. Myburgh said the recovered cattle are linked to five cattle that were sold at an auction in Lichtenburg on 8 May 2026, and were subsequently seized for further investigation.
“Four cattle were sold at the Lichtenburg Feedlot on 29 May 2026, and were subsequently seized. In Sannieshof, four cattle were also sold at the Lichtenburg Feedlot on 29 May 2026, and were seized as part of the ongoing enquiry.
“The police suspect the cattle may originate from Mofufutso, Siyone, Kraaipan, Setlagole, Middleton A, B and C, Madibogo and Shaleng. Members of the public, particularly farmers and livestock owners from these areas who have lost cattle, but have not reported the matter, are urged to contact Lieutenant Colonel Modiri Cedric Mokgethi on 082 661 4302 or Constable Joseph Ngoloba Mojela on 076 510 8261/54 from the Sannieshof Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit,” she said.
Myburgh further said owners should be prepared to provide proof of ownership, including any distinguishing features, photographs, purchase records or other relevant documentation that may assist in confirming ownership.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo emphasised that the cooperation of the farming community is essential in ensuring that the recovered livestock are reunited with their rightful owners and in supporting ongoing investigations into stock theft. Naidoo added that, once more he requests farmers of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, equines (horses) and ostriches to ensure that their animals are branded in accordance with the Animal Identification Act, Act No. 6 of 2002.
The Guardian 