Picture: Former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
By AGISANANG SCUFF
1 September 2026 – The trial against the former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has been postponed by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria to 7 September 2026, for judgment on her Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act application for her to be discharged. This follows extensive arguments presented to the court by her attorneys and the IDAC’s senior state advocate, wherein the state argued against this application.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering, wherein she is accused of soliciting R4.5 million with R2.1 million allegedly received as cash from a service provider.
1 September 2026 – The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), through the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, is intensifying efforts to address persistent water challenges in Mahikeng and surrounding communities through the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme. As part of the Thuntsha Lerole programme, the government visited a newly completed water supply project serving communities around Signal Hill, including Lonely Park, Molelwane and Sonderwater, as part of ongoing interventions to improve access to reliable and sustainable basic water services.
The department said the project, funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), is being implemented across Wards 28, 29 and 32 of Mahikeng Local Municipality and is expected to benefit thousands of residents in these communities. It said Wards 28 and 29 alone, have a combined population of approximately 21 115 residents, with 11 273 people in Ward 28 and 9, 842 in Ward 29.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi said his department has allocated more than R181 million in MIG funding to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality to support critical municipal infrastructure development and address water service and other service delivery
backlogs. Molapisi said the water project, valued at more than R118 million, was presented during the programme in the presence of Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe and North West MEC for Public Works, Elizabeth Mokua amongst others.
“The road was implemented at a cost of approximately R2.2 million. The completion of the project has been welcomed by the community and commends the government for the smooth and speedy implementation of the project, which was completed within the planned timeframe and has benefited local residents through employment opportunities,” he said.
Gungubele acknowledged that many communities across the country continue to experience challenges such as water interruptions, sewage spillages, deteriorating wastewater treatment systems and high levels of water losses.
“The message we bring to this household that has benefitted from this project is clear. Government is intervening decisively, projects are being accelerated and partnerships are being strengthened to ensure that communities receive reliable water and sanitation services.
“Another key project visited during the Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme was the 3.2km brick-paved road in Ward 29 in Lonely Park, which has been completed and is ready for use by residents,” he said.
1 September 2026 – The police in Letlhabile have arrested a suspect (16) in connection with the murder of a man (29) at Block G, Letlhabile on 30 August 2026. It is alleged that at approximately 6:30am, the victim was involved in a fight with the suspect outside a local tavern.
North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said during the altercation, the victim was allegedly stabbed. Morake said the victim was assisted by members of the community and transported to Letlhabile clinic, where he was declared deceased upon arrival.
“He was later identified by his mother. The police immediately commenced with investigations and interviewed several people who were at the tavern. Information obtained during the investigation led police to trace and arrest the suspect.
“During the arrest, the suspect was found wearing clothing with suspected blood stains. The clothing was seized by the LCRC for further forensic examination. The weapon allegedly used in the commission of the offence has not yet been recovered,” she said.
Morake further said the crime scene was processed, while investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. She added that the suspect’s parents and a probation officer have been informed of the arrest and arrangements have been made for the appropriate detention and assessment of the minor.
“The suspect will appear at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 1 September 2026, for murder,” said Morake.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams said the swift arrest demonstrates their commitment to ensuring that those responsible for serious crimes are brought to justice. Adams said they will continue working tirelessly to ensure that the investigation is thoroughly conducted and that justice prevails.
Picture: The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha during FMD vaccination
By REGINALD KANYANE
1 September 2026 -The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has recorded no new cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province over the past week, marking a significant development in the province’s ongoing efforts to contain and curb the spread of the disease. This is the first week since December 2025, that the province has recorded no new FMD cases, signalling a positive shift in the province’s fight against the disease and providing encouragement that the intensified vaccination and disease-control interventions are beginning to yield results.
The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha said his department has been implementing a mass provincial FMD vaccination programme across all four districts and 18 local municipalities, as part of the broader national intervention to contain the disease and protect the provincial livestock sector. Sambatha said to date, the province has received 1,570,100 doses of FMD vaccines, with 1,413,859 animals vaccinated across the province.
“We welcome the latest development. The fact that we have gone a full week without recording a new case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease is encouraging and demonstrates the progress we are making through our collective efforts.
“However, we must remain vigilant. We urge all farmers and livestock owners to continue practising strict biosecurity measures on their farms and to report any suspected cases immediately to veterinary authorities,” he said.
Sambatha further emphasised that vaccination remains an important component of the province’s response, but must be complemented by responsible livestock management and adherence to disease-control measures. He added the department anticipates commencing booster vaccinations in September 2026, in areas where animals have already received their initial vaccinations.
“This will take place alongside continued efforts to identify and vaccinate animals in areas that have not yet been reached by the vaccination programme.
“The department will continue working closely with farmers, organised agriculture, municipalities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen disease surveillance, vaccination coverage and compliance with disease-control measures,” said Sambatha.
1 September 2026 – The plight of farm workers, farm dwellers and rural communities struggling to access reliable and quality water and sanitation services was among the key concerns raised during the final leg of the Limpopo public hearings on the Water Services Amendment Bill in the Waterberg District Municipality.
The residents urged the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation to ensure that the Bill adequately protects the rights of people living in rural communities and on farms, where access to water and sanitation services remains a persistent challenge.
The acting Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Sello Dithebe said participants highlighted a disparity between the quality of water services provided in rural areas and those available in urban and semi-urban communities. Dithebe said they argued that this disparity undermines the constitutional right of people living in rural areas and on farms to access sufficient and quality water and sanitation services.
“In supporting the Bill, participants said it represented an important opportunity to address these inequalities and improve access to clean, reliable and quality water services. However, residents cautioned that stronger enforcement mechanisms must be incorporated to ensure that the Bill is effectively implemented.
“They argued that legislation without meaningful enforcement measures would do little to address the challenges experienced by communities. Participants also called for strengthened monitoring of designated water services providers to ensure compliance with the conditions of their licences,” he said.
Dithebe further said they further called for a clear and accessible mechanism through which residents can report poor performance, enabling authorities to take appropriate enforcement and consequence-management measures. He added that while the Bill received overwhelming support, some participants expressed opposition, citing the lived experiences of communities who continue to endure inadequate water and sanitation services.
“They highlighted communities that have gone for years without running water, while sewage spillages have become a daily reality. Those opposed to the Bill argued that municipalities are either unwilling or unable to provide quality services and questioned whether the proposed amendments would be sufficient to address these longstanding challenges.
“Participants who opposed the Bill also emphasised the need for broader and more meaningful consultation with affected communities and stakeholders across the entire water services value chain,” said Dithebe.
He said they called for affected groups, particularly women, to be meaningfully consulted throughout the lifecycle of water services licences. Dithebe said with the conclusion of the Limpopo leg, the committee has now conducted public hearings in Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo provinces.
“The committee will communicate the dates and venues for the remaining six provinces in due course. The committee expressed its appreciation for the valuable submissions received from communities and stakeholders during the hearings, noting that the robust participation demonstrated the strength of South Africa’s constitutional democracy and the importance of public involvement in the legislative process,” he said.
The Guardian 