Monthly Archives: October 2026

Sasol Banyana settled in Bloemfontein ahead of Olympic qualifiers

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players during training/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 October 2026 – Sasol Banyana Banyana have settled in nicely in Bloemfontein ahead of their two 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers against Madagascar scheduled for this Friday and next Tuesday. The 2022 African Champions arrived in the City of Roses on Monday to begin preparations for the all-important clashes set to be played at the Free State Stadium.

Madagascar will host the first match as they have no suitable venue, and they are expected in the province on Wednesday. Kick-off for this encounter is 3pm, but no spectators are allowed at the request of the visiting team.

Banyana Banyana have already held two training sessions since their arrival, with two more still to come to complete preparations for the first leg. South Africa last played in the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio, Brazil, and are eager to make a return to the global event.

Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis said they have not qualified for the last two Olympic Games as they were knocked out in the first round in 2019. Ellis said they reached the final round against Nigeria and lost narrowly.

“It’s really important that we start getting to the Olympics. We qualified back-to-back in the past and then you don’t qualify for two, it’s important for us to qualify for these global events because the newer players that come in, and the younger players that come in, will also gain a lot of experience through that.

“So, it’s really important that we get off on a good start on Friday to make sure that we get to the next round. Banyana Banyana are still in contention for World Cup qualification and will be playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-offs next month,” she said.

Ellis further said the Madagascar fixtures present a dual purpose for them.

“It’s not just about this game, it’s also about the game in November, so we’re using it two-fold because you have very little time to prepare and we know that it is a very big tournament as well that we need to prepare for.

“So, we’ll be preparing for Madagascar but also looking at how we can get the team to be a better version of themselves come November 2026,” added Ellis.

She said Thembi Kgatlana (Mexico), Linda Motlhalo (Scotland), Bongeka Gamede (Denmark) and Hildah Magaia (Saudi Arabia) have already reported for national team duty, while Amogelang Motau (Mexico) was expected on Wednesday afternoon. Ellis said but Banyana Banyana will be without experienced defender, Bambanani Mbane who has returned home to continue with her injury rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, the second leg will take place on 13 October, also at the Free State Stadium. Tickets for this match are on sale at shop.ticketpro.co.za/event/banyana- with adults playing R50 while children under 12 will be charged R20.

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Sepodisi se bolotsa ntwa kgatlhanong le diritibatsi

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Setshwantsho: Diritibatsi tse di thopilweng ke sepodisi

Ka REGINALD KANYANE

8 Diphalane 2026 – Setlhopha sa Namakwa District Task Team se tsweletse go nonotsha maiteko a sone a go lwantsha bosenyi jo bo amanang le diritibatsi, ka matsholo a totobetseng a twantsho ya thibelo ya bosenyi a a ikaegileng ka go kgoreletsa kgwebo e e seng ka fa molaong ya diritibatsi le go dintsha mo baaging. Ka di 6 Diphalane 2026, maloko a Namakwa District Task Team a ne a dira ditiro tse di totobetseng tsa thibelo ya bosenyi, go emisa le go phuruphutsa batho le dipalangwa, mmogo le go paterola kwa Okiep.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa sedikeng sa Namakwa, mokaptein Ivan Magerman are go ile ga tshwarwa babelaelwa ba le mmalwa ka ntlha ya go tshwara le go rekisa diritibatsi tse di seng ka fa molaong. Magerman are e ne ya re ka ura ya 4:45 mo thapameng, maloko a a neng a dira ditiro kwa The Hill kwa Okiep a ne a emisa le go phuruphutsa monna wa dingwaga di le 42.

“Monna o, o ne a fitlhelwa a tshwere diritibatsi tsa Mandrax, mme o ne a tshwarwa. Nakonyana morago ga moo, maloko a ne a tswelela ka ditiro tsa bone, mme a tshwara mosadi wa dingwaga di le 45 ka ntlha ya go tshwara diritibatsi tse di seng ka fa molaong.

“Mo e ka nnang ka 5:30 thapama, maloko a a neng a paterola le ditiro tsa go emisa le go phuruphutsa mo tselakgolo ya N7, a ne a lemoga monna wa dingwaga di le 31 yo o neng a fetola tsela fa a bona sejanaga sa mapodisi,” Magerman wa tlhalosa.

Magerman are maloko a sepodisi a ne a mo sala morago, mme a mo emisa. Magerman are fa a phuruphudiwa, o ne a fitlhelwa a tshwere Tik, mme a tshwarwa ka ntlha ya go tshola diritibatsi.

“Monna yo mongwe wa dingwaga di le 38, yo o neng a itshwara ka tsela e e belaetsang, le ene o ne a tshwarwa mo nakong ya ditiro tseno. Setlhopa se, se ne sa tswelela ka ditiro tsa sone tse di totobetseng kwa Okiep, mme sa tshwara mmelaelwa yo mongwe yo o neng a fitlhelwa a tshwere diritibatsi.

“Go ne ga bonwa gape madi a a sa tlhalosiwang gore ke bokae, a go belaelwang gore ke madi a a bonweng ka thekiso e e seng ka fa molaong ya dritibatsi. Monna wa dingwaga di le 36 o ne a tshwarwa, mme a lebana le molato wa go rekisa diritibatsi,” ga rialo Magerman.

Magerman are ka kakaretso, babelaelwa ba le batlhano ba ne ba tshwarwa ka nako ya ditiro tsa Namakwa District Task Team kwa Okiep. Are maloko a sepodisi a Nababeep, le one a nnile le seabe mo katlegong eno fa mo e ka nnang ka ura ya 9:10 bosigo, a ne a tshwara monna wa dingwaga di le 29 ka ntlha ya go tshwara diritibatsi.

“Babelaelwa botlhe ba ba tshwerweng, mme ba solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlatshekelo ya Springbok mo nakong e e sa fediseng pelo, kwa ba tla lebana le melato e e maleba.

“Bolaodi jwa sepodisi jwa sedika sa Namakwa, bo akgotse maloko ka ntlha ya boineelo jwa bone jo bo tswelelang jwa go lwantsha bosenyi jo bo amanang le diritibatsi tse di seng ka fa molaong, mme jwa gatelela gore ditiro tse di lebisitsweng kwa go tshwareng, go anamisa le go rekisa diritibatsi tse di seng ka fa molaong di tla tswelela,” Magerman wa tlhalosa.

Magerman are setlhopha sa Namakwa District Task Team se tla tswelela go nonotsha ditiro tse di ikaegileng ka go kgoreletsa kgwebo e e seng ka fa molaong ya diritibatsi le go tshwara batho ba ba amegang mo ditirong tsa bosenyi jo bo amanang le diritibatsi. Are ba ikemiseditse go dira gore baagi ba nne mo mafelong a a sireletsegileng le go netefatsa gore batho ba ba rekisang le go anamisa diritibatsi ba isiwa kwa di kgotlatshekelo.

“Sepodisi se kgothaletsa baagi go tshegetsa maiteko ano ka go bega ditiro tse di belaetsang tsa bosenyi le melato e e amanang le diritibatsi kwa mapodising kgotsa ka sephiri ka go letsetsa nomoro ya Crime Stop ya O8600 10111, kgotsa ka go romela molaetsa go MySAPS App,” Magerman wa tlhalosa.

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SAFA Welcomes Nine Appointments to COSAFA Standing Committees

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Picture: SAFA Welcomes Nine Appointments to COSAFA Standing Committees

By REGINALD KANYANE

October 2026 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has welcomed the appointment of nine South African representatives to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Standing Committees and Independent Bodies. The appointments include two South Africans who have been appointed as committee chairpersons and represent a strong vote of confidence in the expertise, experience and contribution of South African football professionals.

The SAFA CEO, Lydia Monyepao said the appointments cover key areas of football administration, including technical development, refereeing, finance, medical services, commercial and television matters, futsal and beach soccer, disciplinary affairs, ethics, governance and compliance. Monyepao said nine South African representatives are Victor Gomes – Chairperson of the Referees Committee and Linda Zwane – Chairperson of the Technical and Development Committee.

“Committee Members are Mxolisi Sibam – Finance Committee, Dr Thulani Khangelani Ngwenya – Medical Committee, Pius Clive Nqandela – Commercial and Television Committee.

“Pooblan Govindasamy – Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, Tankiso Modipa – Disciplinary Board, Andile Ngconjana – Ethics Board and Job Mchunu – Governance and Compliance Committee,” she said.

Monyepao said the appointments provide South Africa with an important opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of football across the Southern African region, while strengthening collaboration and the sharing of expertise among COSAFA Member Associations. She further congratulated all nine appointees and acknowledged the confidence placed in their respective expertise, experience and commitment to the development of football.

“The association said it looks forward to their meaningful contribution to COSAFA and to the continued growth and development of football across Southern Africa,” added Monyepao.

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Mosadi o atlholetswe dingwaga di le supa kwa kgolegelong mabapi le tsietso

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

8 Diphalane 2026 – Molatofadiwa, Lynda Elize Schneider (50), o atlholetswe dingwaga di le supa kwa kgolegelong ke kgotlhatshekelo ya bosenyi jwa kgwebo e e kgethegileng kwa Vryburg morago ga go ipona molato wa tsietso. Schneider gape o atlholetswe dingwaga di le tharo mo kgolegelong mabapi le go tlola Molao wa Boitshupo wa 68 wa 1997. Dikatlholo tseno di tla tsamaya ka nako e le nngwe.

Dikatlholo tseno di tla tsamaisiwa ka gangwe.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake are molatofadiwa o ne a tlhagelela fa pele ga kgotlatshekelo ka di 5 Diphalane 2026, kwa a neng a ipona molato mo ditatofatsong ka bobedi. Morake are kgotlhatshekelo gape e ne ya kaya fa molatofadiwa a sa tshwanelwa ke go nna le sethunya.

“Tiragalo eno e diragetse ka Phukwi 2025 kwa lebenkeleng la thekiso ya megala kwa Schweizer Reneke. Kgotlatshekelo e ne ya utlwa gore molatofadiwa o ne a etela lebenkele leo ka maikaelelo a go bona Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 1TB ka konteraka.

“O ne a neela morekisi ditlankana tsa boitshupo le pegelo ya banka tse di fosagetseng, mme seno sa dira gore konteraka ya selefouno e amogelwe go dirisitswe ditlankana tsa maaka. Morago ga moo, molatofadiwa o ne a tsaya selefouno ka konteraka,” Morake wa tlhalosa.

Are dipatlisiso di ne tsa diriwa ka kelotlhoko ke mapodisi, mme tsa lebisa kwa go tshwareng ga molatofadiwa. Morake are molatofadiwa o ne a ipona molato mo di tatofatsong ka bobedi.

Mokomishinara wa sepodisi mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, o akgotse Detective Captain Martin Joseph wa Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit ka dipatlisiso tsa gagwe tse di manontlhotlho, tse di feletseng ka go atlega ga tshekiso le go bonwa molato ga molatofadiwa.

“Re rata gape go akgola Advocate Mosegedi wa Kantoro ya Mokaedi wa Botshwarwa ka go tlhagisa kgetsi eno ka botswerere fa pele ga kgotlatshekelo.

“Se, se nnileng le seabe mo katlegong go netefatsa fa tshiamiso e diragadiwa. Jaanong, re amogela katlholo eno, mme re akgola babatlisisi ka tiro ya bona ya boineelo e e dirileng gore molatofadiwa a isiwe fa pele ga kgotlhatshekelo,” Adams wa tlhalosa.

Adams are sepodisi se tla tswelela go batlisisa melato ya tsietso le go netefatsa gore batho ba ba dirisang ditlankana tsa maaka go dira ditiro tsa bosenyi ba tshwarwa, mme ba lebagana le letsogo la molao.

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The body of a missing man found floating in the river in Rooiwal

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Picture: The deceased, Xolile Mandla Bosman/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 October 2026 – The lifeless body of a missing man, Xolile Mandla Bosman (26) was discovered in a river at Rooiwal village, near Taung on Wednesday evening, 16 September 2026. The police said they received a report of a body in the river and proceeded to the scene, where they found Bosman floating in the water.

The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition and could not be identified at the time. Morake said the deceased was subsequently identified through DNA analysis as Xolile Mandla Bosman, who had previously been reported missing at Taung Police Station in July 2026.

“The circumstances surrounding the death are currently under investigation. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to assist in determining the cause of death. Investigation in the matter continues,” she said.

Meanwhile, a family member, Khanyi Bosman, conveyed her heartfelt message to Xolile Mandla Bosman on Facebook. She said it is hard to find the right words because their hearts are completely shattered.

“For three months, we were searching, praying, waiting, checking our phones, hoping for good news. We never for one moment thought that you would leave us like this. In our hearts, we truly believed you would come back. We kept saying: “Xolile will come back, he will walk through that door again.” However, you never did.

“Now, we have to accept that you are gone and it hurts in a way I cannot explain. You were missing for three months, but our hope was never missing. We held onto hope until the very end. To hear that you were found and that you are no more, it shattered us,” she said.

Khanyi further said: “Xolile, you did not deserve this. You had so much life left in you. We had so many plans, so many conversations left to have, so much laughter left to share. Who knew that the last time we saw you would be the last time forever? You will always be remembered, Mandla. Your name will not be forgotten. Your smile, your voice, your spirit will stay with us forever. We will carry you in our hearts everywhere we go.

“Rest well, Xolile Mandla Bosman. Rest in peace. You may be gone from our sight, but you will never be gone from our hearts.”

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Katlholo mo kgetsing ya petelelo e tla rebolwa kamoso

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Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa petelelo, Letlhogonolo Theophilus Motshabi/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

7 Diphalane 2026 – Kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Taung, e solofetswe go rebola katlholo mo kgetsing ya petelelo kgatlhanong le Letlhogonolo Theophilus Motshabi yo o itsegeng ka leina la Mafred wa kwa motseng wa Sekhing mono Taung mo letsatsing la kamoso. Se, se tla morago ga gore lekgotlha la bosekisi le mmueledi wa molatofadiwa ba konosetse dinganyisano tsa morago ga tsheko.

Go begwa fa Motshabi a beteletse Rachel Tshabile ka di 29 Mopitlwe 2026, gaufi le ntlo e rekisang nnotagi kwa ga Piet. Go ya ka molatofadiwa, o ne a dutse kwa ntlung eo e rekisang nnotagi a ntse a nwa Heineken ga mmogo le Black Label fa a bona Tshabile a feta. Are o ne a mo latela, mme a mo fitlhela a bua ka mogala wa letheka.

Motshabi o boleletse kgotlhatshekelo gore morago ga gore Tshabile a fetsa go bua ka mogala wa letheka, o ne a mo kopa tikologo e le nngwe ya thobalano. Go ya ka Motshabi, Tshabile ga ka a senyana nako le go bona dipotso, mme ka gangwe fela, ba wela mo tseleng.

Motshabi o boleletse kgotlhatshekelo fa ba ne ba ya kwa ntlung nngwe ya mmu e e seng kgakajana le ntlo e rekisang nnotagi. Are o ile a fitlha a bula, mme ba tsena mo ntlung eo.

Motshabi o boleletse kgotlhatshekelo fa a ile a apola baki, sekipa ga mmogo le go ntsha leoto le le lengwe mo borokgweng le go rola ditlhako. Are o ne a dula mo tafoleng, mme a kopa Tshabile yo o neng a apere borokgwe jo bokhutsane jwa jeans apola.

Motshabi a re Tshabile ga ka a botsa dipotso, mme o le a apola borokgwe jo go fitlha mo mangweleng. Are o ne a kopa Tshabile go itshegeletsa ka lebota fa a motlhaga go tswa kwa morago.

Motshabi are na ne bat sena mo thobalanong e sa sireletsegang le Tshabile, mme e ne ya re fa ba ntse ba tsweletse ka go iphanya, Tshabile o ne a mo kopa gore a emise gonne a mo utlwisa botlhoko. Motshabi a re Tshabile o ne a thubega ka selelo le go tswela kwa ntle.

Go ya ka Motshabi, o ne a sa itse gore Tshabile o lelela eng, mme o ne a leka go mo botsa seo, fela a se bone dikarabo. Go begwa fa ausi wa ga Tshabile a ne a tla morago ga go longwa tsebe ke mongwe wa baagi ka go goeletsa ga monnawe.

Motshabi a re o ne a tlogela sekipa le setlhako kwa ntlung eo. Go begwa fa ausi wa ga Tshabile a ne a botsa Motshabi gore ke ka go reng a rwele setlhako se le nosi. Fela, go begwa fa e ne ya re mo kgakgauthanong eo ya mafoko, Motshabi o ne a ntsha botona jwa gagwe le go bo bontsha ausi wa mongongoregi.

Go begwa fa Tshabile a ne a loma Motshabi mo letsogong, fela molatofadiwa o ganeditse dipego tseo. Motshabi o boleletse lekgotlha fa e ne e se ga ntlha a iphanya ka thobalano le Tshabile.

O tlhalositse fa ntho e e neng ele mo letsogong, a ne a e bona ka motsi wa fa a ne a ile go rwalela dikgong kwa nageng.  

Fela, mosekisi o ne a ganetsa dipego tseo le go botsolotsa Motshabi fa go baneng a sa itsise mmueledi wa gagwe wa Legal Aid ka gore ga se ga ntlha a iphanya ka thobalano le Tshabile. Mosekisi o tlhalositse fa Tshabile a tlhalositse fa a ne a sena dikamano dipe le Motshabi, ntle le go itsane go tloga kwa kerekeng.

Go begwa fa Tshabile kaile fa a ne a kopiwa ke Motshabi go tsamaya le ene kwa ntlung eo go ya go mo thusa go ga metsi a hubbly bubbly. Fela o ne a makadiwa ke maitsholo a ga Motshabi fa ba fitlha kwa ntlung eo. Tshabile are Motshabi o ne a mo tshosetsa ka garawe, le go mo kaela fa tlile go mo itaya ka garawe, mme a mmetelela.

Go begwa fa Tshabile a ne a ikgotha mo go Motshabi, le go tswela kwa ntle kwa a ileng a tswelela ka go lela le go goeletsa.

Kgabagare, magistrata Buti Zulu are o tla neelana ka katlholo mo letsatsing la kamoso.

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Kgetsi ya polao e buseditswe morago

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Setshwantsho: Balatofadiwa, Phemelo Patrick Maine ga mmogo le Onkemetse Phatlhanyane

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

7 Diphalane 2026 – Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le babedi, Phemelo Patrick Maine (46) ga mmogo le Onkemetse Phatlhanyane (28) e buseditswe morago mo letsatsing la gompieno ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Taung. Se, se tla morago ga gore mmueledi wa ga Maine a se iponagatse kwa kgotlhatshekelo mabapi le go robega ga sejanaga sa gagwe.

Kgotlhatshekelo e utlwile fa mmueledi o, a ne a tsenetse kgotlhatshekelo kwa Kgomotso, mme a kopana le mathata mabapi le go robega ga sejanaga sa gagwe fa a ne a ipaakanyanetsa go leba kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung.

Maine le Phatlhanyane ba kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Pudimoe, ba latofadiwa ka go thopa ka dikgoka le go bolaya Boingotlo Makaota (16). Go begwa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa nageng kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, moragonyana.

Go ya ka moagisani, one a utlwa segajaja sa lekgarebe mo bosigong jwa Labone kwa ntlung ya ga Maine. Go begwa fa moagisani o, gape a tlhalositse fa a ne a bona Maine ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe ba kgorometsa kereibaye e go bontshang fa ene e pegile sengwe mo teng mo mosong wa Labotlhano.

Sebueledi sa maloba sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Sepodisi se ile sa tswa letsholo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go epololweng ga setopo sa ga Makaota. Go begwa fa setopo seo, sene se thatilwe ka kobo, mme moswi one a supiwa ke ba lelapa la gagwe.

“Dipatlisiso di shupa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se ne se na le dintho mo tlhogong, mo diropeng ga mmogo le mo maotong. Dipatlisiso di ile tsa bolodiwa kwa lelapeng la ga Maine, mme diaparo tsa moswi di ile tsa fitlhelwa teng.”

Mokgwabone are, Maine o ne a tshwarwa morago ga go ineele kwa sepodising. Are monna o, o ile a isiwa kwa sepodisi ke morwa rragwe, mme one a tshwarwa.

“Sepodisi se ile sa botsolotsa Phatlhanyane o bonweng a tsamaya le Maine fa a ne a kgorometsa kereibaye, mme le ene o ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Mokomishinara wa Sepodisi wa nama o sa tshwere wa nako eo mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e. Asaneng are polao eo ya go tlhorontshiwa ga bong e kabo e efogilwe fa baagi ba ne ba le malala-a-laotswe.

Kgabagare, kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha di 20 Diphalane 2026, mme e tla nnelwa disanyana pele ga tsheko.

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Breaking News: Multimillion rand Mandrax Laboratory raided in Hartbeespoort Dam

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By OBAKENG MAJE

6 October 2026 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) is conducting an operation at a plot in the Hartbeespoort Dam area after uncovering what is believed to be a multimillion-rand Mandrax manufacturing laboratory. The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams is currently at the scene overseeing the operation.

The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said SAPS members discovered what is believed to be a facility used for the illicit manufacture of Mandrax. Mathe said quantity of drugs seized and the estimated street value are still being determined as the operation continues.

“Further details are expected to be released once the operation has been concluded,” she said.

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Mogaila pleads guilty over fatal Tembisa crash

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Picture: Former Sekhukhune United footballer, Mokete Sean Mogaila

By STAFF REPORTER

6 October 2026 – Former Sekhukhune United footballer, Mokete Sean Mogaila, 29, has pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and failure to render assistance following a fatal motor vehicle collision in Tembisa that claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl. Mogaila, who played in the Betway Premiership for Sekhukhune United before leaving the club, appeared before the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court and entered into a guilty plea in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Magaboke Mohlatlole said Mogaila “admitted to all the elements of the offences” and accepted the facts and allegations presented by the state. Mohlatlole said the charges stem from a collision on Andrew Mapheto Road during the early hours of 30 October 2024.

“Mogaila admitted that the vehicle he was driving “veered into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle” occupied by a woman and her two children. The crash claimed the life of nine-year-old Gomolemo Mavimbela, while her mother and 13-year-old brother sustained serious injuries.

“Mohlatlole further said Mogaila fled the scene after the collision but later “handed himself over to law enforcement authorities on the same day”. He added that during the investigation, the police discovered alcohol bottles and drugs inside the vehicle.

“The court subsequently convicted Mogaila on all three charges following his guilty plea. Mogaila was a professional footballer with Sekhukhune United, competing in South Africa’s top-flight Betway Premiership.

“The club announced his departure in July 2026, as part of its squad changes ahead of the new season, leaving him a free agent. The matter has been postponed to 17 November 2026, for sentencing. The guilty plea and conviction not only hold the accused accountable for his unlawful conduct but also spare the victims and their family the emotional burden of a lengthy trial,” said Mohlatlole.

He said the prosecution authority described the conviction as “an important step towards justice for the deceased child and her family”.

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Five North West learners awarded with tertiary bursaries

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Picture: Some of five North West learners awarded with tertiary bursaries/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

6 October 2026 – Five high school learners were awarded bursaries by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) through its Learning Academy, following their participation at the Water and Sanitation Education and Awareness Programme (WSEP) competitions held on 27 September – 1 October 2026 in Benoni, Gauteng. WSEP is a school-based initiative by the DWS designed to build water literacy, encourage resource conservation, and promote careers in the water sector.

The Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said through this initiative, learners are also motivated to become young water ambassadors, sharing key messages on water conservation, responsible water use, river and dam protection and the importance of good sanitation practices within their schools, homes, and communities. Mavasa said high school learners from North West participated in Aqua Enduro category, which targets Grade 10 and 11 learners, demonstrating their innovation to solve water and sanitation challenges in their communities.

She further said they have also participated in Public Speaking category which aims to build public-speaking skills and awareness of water and sanitation issues. Mavasa said under the theme: “Towards Sustainable Water and Sanitation Security in South Africa”, school learners from different provinces converged at the National Adjudications to participate and demonstrate their talent, knowledge and dedication to water and sanitation in different categories of the Programme.

“Two Public Speaking participants, Laone Mochwening from Tigerkloof Combined School and Palesa Mofokeng from Molebatsi Secondary School, received bursaries to study at any tertiary institution of their choice within the country.

“Aqua Enduro participants, Kaone Moeng from Obusitse Intermediate School, Koki Orateng from Tigerkloof Combined School and Thatoyaone Mmusi from Z.M Seatlholo Secondary School also received bursaries. Moreover, Thatoyaone Mmusi was awarded a fully licensed laptop for being one of the 23 exceptional Aqua Enduro participants,” she said.

Mavasa further said other North West participants at the WSEP national adjudications are Anesu Kweetsane – Milner High School, Neo Nteo – Stilfontein Hoerskool, Boikhutso Dikole – Pinagare High School, Zandile Mabuza -Thuto-Tsebo Secondary School, Laone Mochweneng and Oarabile Mooketsi – Tigerkloof Combined School. She added that Molebogeng Mogola – ZM Seatlholo Secondary School also took part.

“Concluding the WSEP weeklong National Adjudications, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon David Mahlobo awarded deserving learners with 54 tertiary bursaries to pursue careers in the water and sanitation sector, cash prizes, laptops and certificates. Mahlobo said investing in young people is a response to a call on their own survival as a nation, the work done here today, they are planting a seed.

“We are not trying to produce workers, but we are trying to produce leaders. We call on young people to consider careers in the water and sanitation sector.

“With the country facing climate change, one drop of water is required to produce more and the youth must be able to bring innovations through science and technology. We would like to congratulate these learners and express strong support in improving their full potential,” he said.

One of the partners, mentioned the commitment they made through the School Adoption Initiative earlier this year when they adopted Ntsweletsoku Primary School located in Lehurutshe, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality. The school learners and educators were able to be provided with an improved clean and safe drinking water.

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