Picture: Counterfeit Victor Reinz Reinzosil products worth R200 000 seized/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
29 October 2026 – Members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and Serious Organised Crime Investigation seized counterfeit goods valued at R200 000 during a search and seizure operation conducted in Rustenburg on 28 October 2026. The operation follows a tip-off regarding a certain house in Rustenburg, where suspected counterfeit Victor Reinz Reinzosil products are being sold.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the police operationalised the information and raided the house leading to a seizure of sixteen boxes of counterfeit Victor Reinz Reinzosil products. Mathebula said no arrests have been made at this stage and investigation is underway.
Picture: Prof Brian Harvey and Prof. Stanislav Gobec who lead the respective research groups at the NWU and the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
29 October 2026 – For millions of people living with depression, finding the right treatment can be a long and difficult journey. Some medicines fail to ease symptoms, while others have side effects.
Now, researchers at the North West University (NWU) and the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia are testing a new compound that could offer another way to treat the illness. Early laboratory results show that the compound may work as well as some leading antidepressants.
Prof Brian Harvey, who represents the research team said depression remains a major health concern because available treatments do not work for everyone. Harvey said, however, it may also address other problems that current treatments do not always address.
“Unlike existing antidepressants, the compound targets different pathways in the brain to help control mood, stress and the way people respond to rewards. The findings offer hope for better treatment options, especially for patients who do not respond well to current medicines. However, the research is still at an early stage, and scientists must conduct more tests before they can study the compound in humans.
“Depression is a complex condition, plagued by poor response to current treatments, side effects and a high risk of relapse and treatment resistance. Depression involves several brain pathways. Current medicines may not target all of them, especially those that regulate concentration, motivation and the ability to experience pleasure, leaving some patients with enduring symptoms that are hard to treat,” he said.
Harvey further said the early findings of the research are encouraging, but researchers still need to establish how safe and effective the compound could be. He added that the compound has reached technology readiness level 4.
“This means researchers have tested it in laboratory and preclinical studies, but it is not yet ready for use in patients. The next phase will focus on improving the compound’s formulation, studying how the body processes it and testing its safety. These steps will help researchers decide whether the research can move towards early clinical trials.
“The NWU and the University of Ljubljana have also filed a joint international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, resulting in a positive International Search Report,” said Harvey.
Senior Specialist in Commercialisation at the NWU’s Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) team, Ntiyiso Shabangu said the project shows how university research could help address real health challenges. Shabangu said this innovation presents an exciting opportunity to explore a new approach in an area where there is a need for improved treatment options.
“Working with industry partners will help the researchers develop and test the compound further. Specifically, the two universities are seeking pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to support the next stages of research. This could entail licensing or joint development.
“Although the compound is still far from becoming an approved medicine, the research could open a new path towards treating depression, particularly for people who have found little relief from existing treatments,” he said.
29 October 2026 – The police in the North West welcomes the sentencing of Pheko Andries Thebehali (35) to 15 years imprisonment for the murder of a woman (34). The accused was sentenced by the Mmabatho High Court on 27 October 2026, after being found guilty of murder.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said the court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm. Skalkie said the incident occurred on 28 June 2024, when the deceased was reportedly at a tavern in Bodibe Village, near Mahikeng, accompanied by her friends.
“During the evening, the accused arrived and engaged in conversation with her. The two were later seen leaving the tavern together in the accused’s Volkswagen Caddy. This was the last time the deceased was seen alive. On 29 June 2024, the deceased’s family reported her missing at Sannieshof Police Station after she failed to return home and could not be located.
“On 2 July 2024, her body was discovered in bushes at Vetpan Farm in Lichtenburg by a truck driver travelling to the farm. The driver alerted his employer, who contacted the police. Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) personnel declared the woman dead at the scene and a murder investigation was initiated,” she said.
Skalkie further said the accused was linked to the murder through the investigation, which included the collection and forensic analysis of DNA samples from both the accused and the deceased. She added that the forensic results subsequently confirmed a DNA match.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams said the conviction and sentence demonstrate the importance of thorough investigations, effective collaboration and the use of forensic evidence in solving serious crimes. Adams said they commend Detective Warrant Officer Itumeleng Mashabe and the entire investigation team for their persistence in following every available lead and ensuring that the accused was brought before the court to answer for his actions.
“We also acknowledge the role played by the state prosecutor, advocate Ferdinand Tlatsane in presenting the evidence before the court. We hope this outcome will bring some measure of comfort to the family of the deceased,” he said.
