By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 September 2026 – The Northern Cape recorded mixed crime trends during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, with seven of the 17 community-reported serious crime categories showing decreases while several violent and contact crimes increased.

The statistics for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2026, were released in Kimberley, Northern Cape, on 4 September 2026, by the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, together with Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Limakatso Koloi and MEC for Women, Children, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Mirriam Kibi.

The presentation was delivered by Provincial Crime Registrar Brigadier Samuel Mathe and covered crime trends across the province’s five policing districts.

Otola said the figures should be used to understand crime patterns and assess whether policing strategies are producing the required results.

“The release of these statistics is not merely about presenting figures. It is about understanding the crime picture, identifying emerging trends and patterns, assessing our policing response, and strengthening our interventions where they are most needed,” she said.

Murder decreased by 22 cases, while attempted murder increased by 134 cases, representing a 31.5% rise. Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm increased by 118 cases, while common assault decreased by 48 cases, and aggravated robbery increased by eight cases. Sexual offences rose by 92 cases, or 32.9%, with rape increasing by 86 cases, representing a 43.4% increase.

Contact crime increased by 268 cases, or 6.7%, while the 17 community-reported serious crimes increased by 2.6%. Property-related crimes showed some improvement, with burglaries at non-residential premises decreasing by 44 cases and residential burglaries dropping by 76 cases, while stock theft decreased by 32 cases.

Several other categories recorded increases, including commercial crime, which rose by 70 cases, theft out of or from motor vehicles by 37 cases, and drug-related crimes detected through police action by 196 cases, representing a 31.6% increase. Crimes detected as a result of police action increased by 191 cases, or 25.2%, while shoplifting decreased by 70 cases.

Otola said the increases needed to be understood within the wider social and economic environment and could not be addressed by policing alone. “While SAPS has a critical responsibility to prevent, combat and investigate crime, these challenges require a whole-of-society response,” she said.

She said the South African Police Service’s Reset Agenda required the province to examine its policing methods, strengthen accountability and ensure that available resources were used effectively. “The Reset Agenda is not simply a policy statement; it must translate into measurable action at station, district and provincial level,” Otola said.

The Provincial Commissioner also highlighted excessive alcohol and substance abuse as among the factors contributing to increases in some contact crime categories. She said SAPS would intensify Imbizo programmes, social crime prevention initiatives, awareness campaigns and engagements with Community Policing Forums, traditional and community leaders, schools, municipalities, businesses and other stakeholders.

Koloi said the statistics provided an opportunity to assess the state of safety and security in the province while recognising areas where progress had been made. She commended the police for their work and said the reductions showed that focused operations, intelligence-led interventions, visible policing and cooperation between law-enforcement agencies could make a difference.

“Of particular concern remains violent crime and crimes committed against women and children.

“The continued prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against vulnerable members of society demands a coordinated and uncompromising response,” said Koloi.

Kibi also raised concern about the increase in sexual offences and commended communities for reporting crimes.

“The abuse of women and children is unacceptable,” she said, pledging stronger collaboration between her department, SAPS and other government departments to ensure survivors receive the necessary protection.

Kibi further stressed the importance of public safety ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for November 2026, saying communities should be able to participate in the electoral process without violence or fear.

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7 September 2026- Social Development Minister Dina Pule has called on churches and faith-based organisations to continue playing a leading role in building resilient communities and supporting South Africa’s most vulnerable people.

Pule said church leaders had played a critical role during South Africa’s transition to democracy, helping to foster reconciliation, peace-building and nation-building at a pivotal moment in the country’s history.

“At a critical moment in our history, churches and faith-based organisations came together with community structures and political leaders to promote reconciliation, peacebuilding and nation-building,” Pule said.

The Minister was speaking on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the Church Leaders Gathering in Unity (CLGU) at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria in Gauteng on Saturday.

She said churches had helped facilitate dialogue, healing and social cohesion, while faith-based organisations had worked alongside healthcare workers and government departments to provide care, counselling, awareness programmes and support services to individuals and families.

Pule said this spirit of collaboration remains essential, as South Africa confronts persistent social challenges.

She urged faith communities to remain partners in reaching vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, reducing stigma and strengthening prevention and treatment efforts in communities.

She pointed to the ongoing contribution of churches and faith-based organisations in tackling poverty and supporting vulnerable households.

“Through partnerships with the Department of Social Development and other government institutions, many churches have operated feeding schemes, community outreach programmes, shelters, substance-abuse interventions and support services for children, older individuals and people living with disabilities.”

However, Pule acknowledged that much more needs to be done to improve the living conditions of South Africans.

“Regardless of the past successful collaboration, much still needs to be done to improve the living condition of our people. South Africa continues to navigate a complex social and economic landscape.” 

The Minister said poverty, unemployment, inequality, gender-based violence, substance abuse, crime and the erosion of moral values continue to place pressure on communities.

“These challenges require more than government intervention alone; they require a united society, anchored in compassion, ethical leadership and active citizenship.”

Pule called for all sectors of society to work together to build resilient communities and restore hope where there is despair.

Drawing on the Christian teaching of “loving one’s neighbour”, Pule urged communities to support people struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.

She also called for stronger action against those who engage in harmful activities in communities, saying no one should be above accountability, including those who occupy positions of religious leadership.

At the same time, Pule said addressing unemployment requires a collective effort to create opportunities, support skills development and encourage entrepreneurship.

“The Church, together with all sectors of society, has a responsibility to teach about the consequences of violence and the importance of respecting one another,” she said.

Pule also reflected on a recent Spring Day celebration that resulted in the death of a young man, describing it as a painful reminder of the need for greater responsibility in communities.

“I must state this clearly: No one deserves to die at the hands of another person, regardless of the circumstances. Equally, no one should take the law into their own hands.”

She said the Church has an important role to play in reinforcing the message that violence is never an acceptable response to conflict.

“The Church must continue to proclaim that violence is never an acceptable response to conflict and that every person is created with inherent dignity and deserves to be treated with respect,” the Minister said. 

The gathering took place as South Africa continues to commemorate 30 Years of the Constitution this year. – SAnews.gov.za

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By AGISANANG SCUFF

7 September 2026 – Residents in the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley have been urged to remain cautious as strong winds and rain continue to pose risks across the municipality this weekend.

The municipality’s Emergency Services responded to several weather-related incidents from Friday into Saturday morning, including eight reports of house rooftops being blown off by strong winds. The municipality said a shack fire was also reported in Santa, Galeshewe Township, in Kimberley while trees were uprooted and fell across roads.

The municipality warned that strong winds could cause further damage to structures, including rooftops and shack sheets being blown away.

The Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality spokesperson, Thabo Mothibi said failing trees as a result of strong winds could also disrupt electricity supply and create hazards for motorists and pedestrians. Mothibi said residents were further warned of possible localised flooding, with an 80% chance of rain forecast for Saturday.

“The municipality urged motorists to drive carefully on slippery roads with their headlights on and to avoid flooded subways and driving through water.

“The municipality also called on residents to exercise extreme caution when using heating methods to keep warm, particularly during the adverse weather conditions,” he said.

Mothibi added that residents who are in distress can contact Sol Plaatje Municipality Emergency Services for assistance.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

2 September 2026 – The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the North West said it is deeply concerned about the reported incident at Batlhaping Secondary School in Taung involving a learner allegedly directing insulting and disrespectful language towards an educator. SADTU said it is seriously disturbed by the escalating levels of learner indiscipline and the growing incidents of verbal abuse, threats, intimidation and physical attacks against educators in schools.

SADTU provincial secretary, George Themba said they cannot accept a situation where educators report for duty every day uncertain about whether they will be safe in the classroom. Themba said educators cannot be expected to perform their professional responsibilities effectively while being subjected to threats, insults, intimidation or violence.

“The safety and dignity of educators must be treated as a fundamental condition for quality education. We are particularly concerned that incidents of serious learner misconduct are sometimes allowed to continue without decisive intervention.

“Where an educator is assaulted or threatened, there must be an immediate and appropriate response. Violence against educators must never be normalised or treated as merely a disciplinary matter,” he said.

Themba further said where criminal conduct has occurred, the relevant law- enforcement agencies must be involved. He added that SADTU therefore calls on the North West Department of Education and the North West MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono to urgently strengthen measures aimed at protecting educators and restoring discipline in schools.

“We demand stronger implementation of school safety and learner-discipline policies, with clear consequences for serious misconduct. Immediate intervention in cases involving threats, intimidation or physical attacks against educators.

“Proper support for principals and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to manage serious disciplinary cases. Improved collaboration between schools, parents, the Department of Education, South African Police Services (SAPS) and other relevant stakeholders,” said Themba.

He said appropriate psychosocial and professional support for educators who experience violence or trauma in the workplace. Themba said the monitoring of schools where serious disciplinary and safety challenges have been identified.

“Greater accountability for parents and guardians who fail to support reasonable disciplinary measures or who themselves threaten and intimidate educators. A comprehensive review of measures aimed at preventing weapons, drugs and other dangerous substances from entering school premises.

“We emphasise that SADTU does not advocate for the violation of learners’ rights. Learners have rights, but rights come with responsibilities. The protection of learners cannot be interpreted in a manner that leaves educators exposed to abuse, intimidation or violence,” he said.

Themba said a balanced approach must protect everyone in the school community. He said parents also have a critical role to play.

“Schools cannot carry the responsibility for discipline alone. Parents and guardians must reinforce respect, responsibility and acceptable behaviour among learners.

“Equally, educators must continue to uphold professional standards and exercise their authority responsibly. The crisis of learner indiscipline must also be understood within the broader challenges facing education, including overcrowding, social problems, substance abuse, inadequate psychosocial services and pressure on educators,” said Themba.

He said these challenges require a whole-of-society response, rather than placing the entire burden on teachers. Themba said SADTU North West remains committed to defending the rights and interests of educators, while championing a public education system that is safe, disciplined and conducive to effective teaching and learning.

“Teaching cannot be an attractive and respected profession when educators are expected to work in unsafe environments. An attack on an educator is not only an attack on an individual—it is an attack on the teaching profession and the right of every learner to quality education.

“SADTU calls upon the Department of Education to act decisively, urgently and consistently. The time has come to move beyond statements of concern towards concrete interventions that restore discipline, protect educators and reclaim schools as safe spaces for teaching and learning,” he said.

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